Australian-born cook wows British MasterChef judges
Kristen Dodd (far right) has made it into the top seven of MasterChef UK. Photo: BBC
A tantalising dish of grilled cod with artichokes and seaweed salt has won an Australian-born contestant a spot in the Masterchef UK finals watched by millions of people.
Communications specialist Kristen Dodd made the top seven in the British competition screened on the BBC after impressing the judges on Wednesday nightâs episode.
Dodd grew up in the Adelaide suburb of Craigburn Farm, moving to London at 21 on a working holiday visa to pursue her career in communications.
This week, judges described her dish of grilled cod with Jerusalem artichoke crisps seasoned with Japanese seaweed salt, alongside pickled grapes and a sake butter sauce, as âimpressiveâ.
âYour cod has got a beautiful shine in the centre, this buttery creamy sauce has lovely layers and a lovely acidity at the end. The notes of sake in there are beautiful,â judge Anna Haugh said.
Another member of the judging panel, Grace Dent, commented: âI love the Jerusalem artichoke crisps, especially because it has the seaweed salt, which pairs beautifully with sake in the sauce. Youâve pickled the grapes but theyâre not too vinegary.
âI think itâs accomplished; I think itâs impressiveâ.
Doddâs grilled cod with Jerusalem artichoke crisps. Photo: BBC
Dodd is now garnering national attention as millions of viewers tune into the program, and said her mum was âso proudâ.
âIâm surprised youâve not heard from my mum⊠sheâs told a lot of people,â Dodd said.
âI think she has messaged a few of my primary school teachers.â
Dodd said that growing up in Adelaide shaped both her love of cooking and the South-East Asian influences that have defined much of her food in the competition.
âI had a Singaporean next-door neighbour who used to take us out for Chinese food, and make us really interesting food,â she said.
âI can remember going over there as a kid and making curry puffs with him⊠he was really inspiring with those kind of flavours.â
After moving to London, Dodd said food âplayed a huge roleâ in building a sense of home and community.
âCooking really solidified those strong relationships that you really do need,â she said.
âWhen I first moved, I had a one-bedroom flat with my boyfriend, I remember having lots of dinner parties, and just cram everybody in.
âIt wouldnât be pretty, but itâd be tasty.â
Despite building a successful career in communications, Dodd said she âhit a turning pointâ two decades later, deciding to step back from her career and dedicate herself to cooking and her family.
Kristen Dodd on MasterChef UK. Photo: BBC
âI wanted to change things up in my life, spend more time with my kids, and maybe, you know, focus on what I was passionate about,â she said.
âI didnât quit thinking Iâm going to go on MasterChef.
âIt was something that I saw, and I thought, you know, whatâs the worst that can happen? Iâm going to apply, maybe Iâll hear nothing back.â
After being accepted, Dodd said that she âleft nothing in the tank⊠I really want to do well and make myself and my family proud of that sacrifice that weâve all made for me to be thereâ.
Australians can watch Doddâs journey through semi-finals week on season 22 on BBC One and iPlayer.
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