MasterChef returned to BBC One last night (April 1) for its 20th series.

Judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace will now embark on an exhilarating journey across eight weeks, to discover the UK’s best amateur cook, one plate at a time, serving up surprises and extra special occasions along the way.

Just one of the contestants who hoped to show off their skills was Muir from Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire, who competed in the first heat of the show.

Let’s find out a little bit more about her (some spoilers are towards the end).

Who is BBC MasterChef contestant Muir from Hebden Bridge?

The 53-year-old is a children’s mental health services manager. She was born in Turriff, Scotland and grew up in Banff and Perth, but now lives in Hebden Bridge, with her 13-year-old daughter and dog Millie.

Describing her style of cooking, Muir explained: “My cooking style is eclectic. I love cooking for a crowd, developing a theme and adding different dishes. 

“Yotam Ottolenghi has been my favourite chef for many years, but I am getting more and more interested in different cooking techniques like sous vide or making culinary foams and gels.  

"I enjoy cooking with friends and experimenting with different flavours and styles.”

Recalling her earliest cooking memory, Muir said: “I helped mum out with cooking and we baked a lot when I was growing up. I started to get interested in cooking when I left home at 18 and my aunt Una taught me how to make lentil soup and leek and tattie soup.”

Muir revealed she entered MasterChef because “it’s the ultimate cookery competition, so I wanted to check it out.”

Speaking about her earliest MasterChef memories, she went on to say: “I can remember watching MasterChef when Lloyd Grossman presented – it was very serious and the studio was very black. I’ve watched this MasterChef a lot over the past 20 years and love the range of styles people bring and the challenges it presents to home cooks.

“I think MasterChef really encourages people to be more adventurous with their cooking and also brings a whole new language to our kitchens. Anything seems possible at home now.”



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Sadly, Muir’s pan-fried gnocchi creation failed to impress John and Greg and she was voted off the series on Monday.

Just after her MasterChef fate was revealed, she said: “I’m so glad to have been here. So many new experiences and doing different things.

“It’s been really, really enjoyable.

“I would have loved an apron, obviously.

“I’ll just have to get a tattoo instead.”

MasterChef continues on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Wednesday from 9pm.