Debbie Halls-Evans crowned the winner of The Taste

12 March 2014

After nine weeks of fiery cookery challenges, blind-taste eliminations and pressure-cooker tension, deli-owner Debbie Halls-Evans has triumphed as winner of The Taste – the high stakes cookery competition, which saw multi-award winning food writer and TV cook Nigella Lawson and fellow mentors laconic American writer Anthony Bourdain and fiery Frenchman Ludo Lefebvre search for the most naturally gifted cook in the country.

Debbie, 43 from Bolton was mentored by Ludo Lefebvre and beat off stiff competition from finalists Chloe (Ludo’s team), Dixie (Anthony’s team) and Kelly (Nigella’s team) to take home The Taste trophy in an emotional finale that saw the decision go right down to the wire before Debbie was revealed as the winner.

She impressed early on after winning the first challenge set by legendary guest chef Pierre Koffman with her Prawn Toast. The challenge - prepare a canapé that perfectly complements a glass of champagne – didn’t come without its tribulations as her initial  inability to decide on what to cook angered mentor Ludo, leading to raised voices in the kitchen. 

Chef Koffman also chose Kelly to go through to the grand finale after blind tasting her Lobster and Scallop ceviche with melba toast and a dried tuna garnish, leaving Dixie and Chloe on the brink of elimination. But there was a twist in the tale as it was revealed a third finale place could be won – simply by cooking a classic ham and cheese omelette for the mentors, Ludo, Anthony and Nigella to blind taste.

It was 24 year old Nanny, Chloe who fell short and went home, but for the remaining three – there was one last chance to deliver perfect tasting food. The final challenge dictated that each cook must create a three course meal – one spoon as starter, one as main course, and one as dessert.

Dixie prepared: Pigeon Breast, Fried Cauliflower and Pomegranate Molasses – Chicken, rice and tomato salad – Date, Almond and Orange Sponge with Rosewater Cream and Chocolate.

Kelly prepared: Cod Ceviche with Crab Salad - Chicken Mole with Sour Cream - Churros Spiced Chocolate and Tequila Oranges

Debbie prepared: a Scallop, Pea Puree, Pancetta and Pea Shoots -  Rabbit Stew, Mashed Potatoes - Apple and Fig Crumble

After the mentors blind tasted the spoonfuls of food for the last time, it became apparent that Dixie’s dish had disappointed and it was Kelly and Debbie who were in the running for the prestigious title of winner of The Taste. On Debbie’s dish, Nigella commented that ‘she’d like to go around to this person’s house and eat’.

Following Nigella’s announcement that Debbie, who has had no formal training, had won, she said “I’m amazed. Absolutely and utterly amazed – blown away. Ludo has taught me so many fundamental elements of cooking. He’s astounded me. He’s a creative genius, he’s a raving nutter –all elements that I like. I can’t thank him enough – he’s done a sterling job with me.”

Her mentor, Ludo added “To see her win is really amazing, she makes me very proud. She did it when it really mattered. One shot will win this thing. And she took the opportunity – thank God!”