Q&A with Judi Love
Category: Press Pack ArticleCan you bake?
I’ve made the odd sponge cake, but I’m definitely not a baker.
Describe your baking style in one word.
Cupcake.
What’s your favourite baked good?
I do like a sponge cake. The last time I baked one, about five years ago, my God, I don’t know what happened. But I do like a sponge cake.
Do you cook much in everyday life?
I do, yeah, but not desserts, I just do savoury stuff.
What’s been your biggest culinary triumph?
Probably my West Indian dinners – my fried fish.
And your biggest disaster?
One time I attempted to make steamed dumplings, and that wasn’t good at all. And I tried to make bread years ago, when I was younger, and it didn’t work out at all.
You won last year’s Christmas Celebrity MasterChef. Are you hoping for a repeat performance?
You know what? I think, for me, it’s about flavour. I’ve got a good palate, but the difference on MasterChef is that you can pick what you are good at, you can go to where your expertise lies. But on this, I’ve just got to hope for the best.
How does this experience compare to MasterChef?
This is a completely different ballgame. Baking is more of a science. You can go with your heart, but if you don’t follow the instructions, the whole thing will go out the window.
You were also on the recent series of Taskmaster, where it became clear that you liked to complete the tasks with a minimum of effort. Is that going to be your approach in the tent?
I would say that on Taskmaster, I always out the effort in, I just did it in a very relaxed manner! In the tent though, I might look relaxed, but deep down I’m nervous. I’ll be putting in the required effort when I need to.
What are the strengths and weaknesses you’ll bring with you into the tent?
My strength is that I can blag my way through anything. And I think flavour is a strength. I think my weakness is some of the technical stuff. You know, when it says you’ve got to let it sit for a certain amount of time, add this, add that, stir it clockwise, that just… pfft.
Are there any skills from your professional life that you can bring to bear in the competition?
In my professional career I used to work in social care. That teaches you to make the best of what you’ve got and stay calm under pressure.
What aspect of the show are you most nervous about?
I think the technical challenge, because you just don’t know what it is, you’re going in there blind. Fingers crossed it’s something that I’ve cooked before in my life, which I doubt it will be. Even thinking about it now is making me nervous.
Are you a fan of Bake Off?
Of course, thew show is fantastic. When you see people’s skills, when you see how they develop throughout the series, it’s so much fun. It’s such a loving, comforting family show.
What’s it like, walking into the tent for the first time?
Thank God, I was able to not scream, but to see it on TV and then to be standing there, it was overwhelming. It was a beautiful, beautiful moment in my career.
Have you sought advice from anyone ahead of the show?
Yeah, they just said practice. And learn your measurements.
So have you done any practice?
Yeah, I did once.
What’s it like facing Paul and Prue?
I expected them to be really scary, but they are absolutely lovely.
What would it mean to you to get a Hollywood handshake?
It would be lovely, but I almost feel like I’ve got it already, just standing in the room and going through the whole experience. I might try and sneak a handshake with him without him realising.
Are you competitive? How badly do you want to win?
I am definitely competitive, but more so against myself. If I make a mistake, I’m like “Why did you do that? Why didn’t you think a little bit more and stay calm?” So, I’m more competitive against myself than anyone else.
Why is Stand Up to Cancer important to you?
Since it started, the fact that it’s supported so many people in need, it’s so important to highlight the issues, and to support each other. To be a part of that is amazing.