Natalie Coleman wins MasterChef 2013

29-year-old former credit controller and DJ, Natalie Coleman, has won this years MasterChef cooking contest. She is the third female to grab the title in the nine years the current format has run. The series originally launched in 1990.

“After an incredible eight weeks of seriously intense challenges, Natalie Coleman was awarded her title of MasterChef Champion 2013 by judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace.” – BBC

Natalie battled her way from 50 contestants through to the final three (all of whom are under 30 years old) and throughout the final week, and alongside other finalists Cardiffians Dale Williams and Larkin Cen, had to demonstrate her creativity, skill and utter determination as the finalists undertook serious and life-changing challenges.

Natalie says: “It’s a dream come true! This is probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my life. It’s like a fairytale really, the girl from Hackney done good!”

The tasks included travelling across Italy on a culinary odyssey – from the Amalfi Coast cooking with the legendary rustic cook Mamma Agata, to the world-famous Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence cooking three-Michelin-star food and delivering dishes that matched the exceptional standards required at this very highest level; then north to Fiesole to cater an elite lunch for the Florentine art world, and the most intimidating challenge set on MasterChef – The Chef’s Table – cooking an exquisite three-course menu designed by two Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan, for four of the world’s greatest three-starred chefs.

The final task was to prepare a three-course meal for judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace. Natalie’s winning menu consisted of a starter of Lobster Tail, accompanied by compressed Fennel, a Fennel puree and shavings, dressed with an Orange gel and Beurre Blanc, and Lobster oil; a main of Roast Pork Belly, Pork Tenderloin and a Black Pudding Quails Scotch Egg, served with a Pomme Puree, Caramalised Shallots and two sauces – an Apple sauce and a Honey Mustard; and a dessert of Vanilla Chocolate Panna Cotta topped with a tempered Bitter Chocolate Tuile with Caramelised Pears and a Trio of Hazelnut Crumble Biscuits.

Natalie, who is now planning her future in food, will first be appearing at the BBC Good Food Show Summer, along with Dale and Larkin, from 12-16 June.

She says: “I’m really excited that in a few weeks I’m going to be cooking live on stage alongside past winners including Shelina Permalloo, Keri Moss and Anton Piotrowski. My first time in front of a live big audience and to be doing so in front of such a foodie one, is a massive honour. See you there!”

Natalie, who calls herself a ‘proper cockney’, was born in Hackney, and then moved to Chingford where she lived with her younger sister and both parents.

“My mum was a housewife, she pretty much gave up most of her life for me and my sister just to look after us. My dad wanted to be a boxer, but now he’s a black cab driver.”

Natalie has been cooking for as long as she can remember, helping her nan in the kitchen since she was a young girl.

She says: “From an early age I was brought up around food. I used to spend a lot of time in the kitchen with my nan – she was a fantastic cook. She came from a large northern family, so they used to make the most of what they had. She could turn nothing into something brilliant; she used to make the best corned beef hash pie.”

She is also very close to her Irish granddad and has spent the last two years cooking for him.

“I spend a lot of time with my granddad. My nan passed away quite a few years ago and my granddad’s not much of a cook; so I just thought I’d feed him up a bit!”

Natalie, whose two favorite things in life are food and music, has been working as a credit controller for 12 years and a DJ for five years, before deciding to pursue her dream of a future in cooking.

“I wanted to be a chef when I was 15, but then I went off the idea and wanted to be a PE teacher, then a fire fighter… But my mum said as I was good at maths, I should go and do something in finance. I’m quite good at what I do, but it’s not what I love.”

From the start of the series, Natalie’s beautifully simple but inspired style delivered stunning flavours and impressive dishes.

John Torode says: “Natalie walked into this competition and we saw the potential; there was a sense between Gregg and I about what Natalie could become.”

Gregg Wallace adds: “She’s just full of surprises, she comes up with fantastic, stunningly beautiful dishes.”

Of dreams for the future Natalie says that she wants to learn as much as possible from great chefs and possibly go into food writing after a little more studying the topic. MasterChef aired the 2013 final on BBC One last night at 9pm.