A Liverpool woman is "proud" to represent the city at a national cooking competition loved by many.
MasterChef: The Professionals is back on BBC One for its 15th series, as 32 ambitious chefs battled to become the 2022 Champion. Amongst them was Gabriella Margiotta who made it to the semi-finals of the show.
Originally from Southport, but now living in Childwall, Gabriella has always had a passion for cooking, which led her to where she is now. Speaking to the ECHO, ahead of the finals, she said: "I grew up around food, if you did well you'd get a massive bowl of pasta and food became this beautiful thing bringing everyone together.
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"Seeing how amazing it was and the power food had, it was all I wanted to do. When I left school at 16 I told my mum and dad I wanted to cook so I went to catering college and from that went into kitchens and at the moment I'm working at the family business. It's always been my path, I've never swayed away."
But it wasn't until her sister brought up the idea of MasterChef that she went for it. Lacking confidence in herself, one day her sister gave her the application form and said it was "now or never", and the "rest was history".
On Friday, seven outstanding chefs remained in the running to win the coveted MasterChef title in front of judges Anna Haugh, Gregg Wallace and Marcus Wareing. Taking on their first task outside of the kitchen, only six could head into the final next week.
The 29-year-old said: "It's been absolutely incredible. It's nothing like I could've prepared for, it's more than I ever thought it would be. It's amazing having incredible people taste my food, whatever happens that will be the best.
"But also getting to work alongside incredible chefs and we are guiding each other and going through the emotions together. At the start, I struggled with my confidence but you get into that rhythm and you want to go all the way."
Preparing for each week has been a "challenge" but Gabriella said the love and passion outweighs the pressure. Speaking about the backing from Liverpool, Gabriella said: "It makes me super proud and emotional. People often think you have to be this or that to do well but I've proven a bit of passion or love can take you where you need to go.
"I'm proud to represent Liverpool and the support from the city has been incredible. I'm a city girl and all I'll tell people is if you love food, just go for it. It doesn't matter if you can't boil an egg, if you have that passion anything is possible."
Six finalists will battle it out next week and one contestant will be sent home until there is a 'final three'. This will then see contestants create a three course meal, all for that prestigious title.
Gabriella confirmed that as tense as it appears on TV, contestants are just as stressed. She said: "The MasterChef clock is faster than anything in the world. I've learnt to just stop and take a breath and navigate my time.
"It is tense. It's enough to make grown men weep but it's not so difficult. The stress you see is more so because you want it so bad, it's that desire to do well."
Gabriella said her time has been incredible on the television series as she adds: "Every single chef that has applied, even if you didn't make it onto the show, you're so brave and incredible and those competing just good luck."
Finals Week of MasterChef: The Professionals, airs 8pm Tuesday and Thursday, and concludes 6.15pm on Sunday, BBC One and iPlayer
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