A Northern Ireland mum has reflected on her time competing on MasterChef.
Dundonald woman Michelle Moles appeared in the current series of the BBC show and had made it through to the round which aired on Thursday, April 27.
Unfortunately, the classroom assistant did not make it through to the quarter final, but has expressed how grateful she is for having the opportunity to compete.
Read more: NI mum says competing on Masterchef is a "real pinch me moment"
Speaking to Belfast Live, Michelle said: "I found the whole experience absolutely brilliant and I have nothing but praise for the show.
"I very feel honoured and privileged to have been given the chance to take part in MasterChef. I have nothing but good words to say.
"I was disappointed, but it was my time to go.
"The judges, John and Gregg made the right decision, I just wasn't good enough on the day."
It was the 36-year-old's eldest daughter Leah who applied to the show for her.
Michelle said: "My daughter applied for the show [for me]. If it had of been myself... I think I probably would have backed out come the end when I was told I was getting the chance to go on MasterChef, but I just pushed myself for my family and of course my daughters.
"I just wanted to make them proud."
Michelle showcased two dishes for John Torode and Gregg Wallace on last night's episode of the cooking show.
In a challenge set by food critic Leyla Kazim, contestants were asked to create a dish that showcased sourness or bitterness.
The Dundonald woman dished up a ginger and nutmeg spiced pale ale cake with roasted plums, a whiskey cream, and a plum sauce.
She then showcased devilled lambs kidneys and oyster mushrooms in a crème fraîche and mustard sauce, wrapped in potato bread.
Michelle said: "I just wanted to showcase Northern Ireland, that's the reason why I chose to do the potato bread, it was always going to be risky, and of course kidneys too, they're not going to be for everybody.
"I just wanted to bring what we would cook back home."
The mum-of-three explained how it felt cooking in the MasterChef kitchen: "It's a lot of pressure. It's very nerve-racking with the cameras and John and Gregg, major food critics, the pressure is definitely on."
Speaking about standing in front of the judges as they ate what she had prepared, Michelle added: "I felt overwhelmed, you just want them to like your food. The dishes that I did do obviously didn't showcase what I can do in the house...
"I'm really happy I did it."
The Dundonald woman explained when her love for cooking started, and what her future plans are.
"My mum is a brilliant cook and so was my dad, he passed away ten years ago. There has always been food in the family and we've always loved to cook.
"When I started the show, I wasn't really thinking I wanted to go down the line of cooking, but now I feel I'd love to do something within the food industry.
"I would love to be a food critic... I am definitely more interested now in going down the food route. I love the job that I'm in, it's great, but I feel I've got the bug now.
"I am really, really grateful for everybody over at MasterChef, the team, the runners, all the staff behind the scenes...
"From start to finish, I was looked after really well," Michelle said.
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