Celebrity Best Home Cook the final is here!

The grand final of the celeb-strewn cookery competition and just three famous faces remain in the running to be crowned best celebrity home cook.

It’s been a fun ride, proving again that there’s no format which can’t be improved by adding a bit of razzle-dazzle with a celebrity edition (or maybe it’s just that celebrities are more amenable to forming and staying within a bubble during these strange times).

But who of the finalists will join oncology lab-tech Pippa and accountant Suzie, the winners of the regular series?

First up there’s a butternut squash ‘Rustle Up’ challenge, Chris Bavin presenting the trio with a gourd apiece, announcing a twist: whoever impresses the most with their creation will skip the Eliminator round and go straight into the final Ultimate challenge.

Predictably perhaps there is a pair of Thai-inspired curries (who among us hasn’t knocked up a Thai green curry when faced with a butternut squash?), while one cook goes rogue by making a sweet butternut squash pie.

Angela Hartnett’s Eliminator challenge sees the two who weren’t automatically saved by their squash facing their toughest test to date: a showstopping dessert centrepiece which involves making choux pastries and caramel before a tricky and delicate assembly.

It’s almost too close to call, but after much deliberation one is sent home.

And before we know it it’s day two, with Mary Berry setting a tempting challenge that the finalists can really get their teeth into.

They must create the ‘Ultimate’ picnic, including at least four items – one sweet, one with meat, one plant-based and one using fish.

The two give it their all in a head-to-head contest before presenting their creations to the judges on some beautifully decorated picnic tables.

And as the judges retire to their balcony to deliberate for one final time, a host of familiar faces all return to show their support – and to watch the first-ever Celebrity Best Home Cook winner be announced.

And, as Bavin explains, it couldn’t have come at a better time as Covid has reacquainted many of us with our kitchens.

“It’s been a great opportunity to reignite home cooking,” he says.

“In some cases it’s been more elaborate recipes, as some people have had more time to experiment, and for others it’s been about being more resourceful as people haven’t been able to get all the ingredients they need, have used leftovers or have been on a tighter budget.

“But that’s the amazing thing about being able to cook, it can be an event.

“It can be a bit fancy or it can be frugal and functional”.

Berry agrees: “People are spending more time sitting together and spending time together.

“Home cooking isn’t just about the food – it’s about taking the time to chat and be together”.

Amen.

And bon appetite to all!

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