A very warm welcome to at home’s new guest columnist, Dawn Orrells, who cooked up a storm during GMTV’s Chefs at Sea competition. Dawn, who lives in Swansea with her son Dylan, was crowned as the winner after wowing celebrity chefs Marco Pierre White and Rosemary Shrager with her culinary skills. Every fortnight, Dawn will be bringing at home readers a whole variety of exclusive recipe ideas for you to try at home!
In June this year, GMTV launched their Chefs at Sea competition and asked aspiring chefs to send in videos of their signature dishes to be in with a chance to win a cruise and to cook with top chefs Marco and Rosemary on board a P&O ship. We had a quick chat with Dawn about the competition, cooking and what it was like working with the celebrity cooks!
Hi Dawn! Congratulations on winning GMTV's Chefs at Sea Competition - what made you enter?
One evening, my son Dylan and I were chatting when he asked about going on a cruise. I explained just how expensive they are - what with being a single mum, cruise are completely out of my price range! At the time, I jokingly said, ‘maybe we’ll win a competition!’ and the week after, I saw GMTV’s Chefs at Sea competition being advertised - and the rest is history!
What was the inspiration behind your signature dish of chocolate and raspberry torte?
As all my friends will tell you, I have a thing for desserts, so when GMTV asked me to create my signature dish it had to be something sweet! Chocolate is deep, rich and versatile and I wanted to use it to encapsulate my passion for food. Raspberries were in season at the time, but you could easily substitute them for oranges or strawberries!
What was it like working alongside Marco Pierre White and Rosemary Shrager?
Initially, it was daunting. I’ve seen both celebrity chefs on TV but meeting them was surreal! Marco was very focused, and incredibly passionate about food and Rosemary was great fun to be with. All of us contestants got to know Rosemary quite well as we spent the week with her. It really was an amazing experience to have the expertise of two great chefs at hand!
What was one great thing you learnt from the top chefs?
Rosemary taught me to be patient with food and let it do the work – you don’t need to keep poking and prodding it! From Marco, I learnt to use recipes only as a guideline, and to adjust them according to your own personal taste. Plus he taught me how to make his signature dish of lobster spaghetti!
How did it feel to be chosen as the winner?
When Marco stood there and read out my name I was so overwhelmed - I really did not want to cry on TV! I was so elated for my son, Dylan because winning meant fulfilling his wish to go on a cruise.
As at home's new guest columnist, what will you be bringing to our readers?
I am so thrilled to be at home’s new guest columnist! Being a single working mum with a fairly small kitchen, I want to show readers how to create dishes that are affordable, easy to make and above all, delicious! Every fortnight, I’ll be sharing my foodie experiences with you - whether it’s eating out at a new restaurant, trying new foods or cooking something a bit special!
Dawn’s blog: week one
It's been quite a busy week! Dylan has found an injection of enthusiasm for the kitchen – he’s created salmon fish fingers and a chocolate sponge (thanks to my secret weapon on how to make the perfect sponge!). As Dylan has Coelaic's, I want him to be more involved in food preparation and learn more about his diet. We are working on a project together which will see both of us in the kitchen. Oh, how I wish I had a dishwasher now!
We are off camping in Devon camping this week, so packing the car has been the usual squeeze! I usually make a dish to take down with us, so we can heat it up and eat on the first night - one pot chicken is on the menu! I like camping as it is a time where you can do as little or as much as you want, and I will definitely be taking my notebook to jot down recipes ideas to try out! What are your favourite camping culinary tips?
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Dawn’s chocolate and raspberry torte
This dessert consists of three layers - a chocolate flour free sponge, a layer of fresh raspberries and to finish, the raspberries are covered in a rich chocolate ganache.
Serves 6-8
Ingredients
For the sponge base
300g fresh raspberries (to be placed on top after sponge has cooled)
50g ground almonds
50g caster sugar
1 tbsp of melted butter
15g cocoa powder
1 egg
2 egg whites
2 tbsp caster sugar
For the chocolate ganache
200g of good quality plain chocolate (at least 70% cocoa solids)
300ml double cream
50g caster sugar
1 oz butter
Method
For the sponge base
1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC/400F/Gas Mark 6
2. In a bowl mix the almonds, caster sugar, butter, egg and cocoa powder until it resembles a paste.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites and the remaining sugar until it forms soft peaks.
4. Combine this mixture to the almond mixture - do not over mix it, just cut and fold to keep the mixture light and airy.
5. Place the mixture in a loose-bottomed tin that has been lined and bake for 10 minutes - it should be springy to the touch when ready.
6. Leave to cool.
For the chocolate ganache
1. On the hob, warm the cream, sugar and butter, being careful not to let it boil.
2. Once incorporated, take off the heat and stir in the chocolate.
3. Combine until silky and leave to cool slightly.
Assembly
1. Take your sponge base, and cover with fresh raspberries.
2. Pour over the smooth chocolate, slowly filling gaps as you go.
3. Once complete, give the tin a tap to release any air bubbles, and place in the fridge to set for 3-4 hours.
4. Dust with cocoa powder and serve chilled with a raspberry coulis or dollop of cream.
Dawn’s acknowledgements
I’d like to thank Marco and Rosemary, the GMTV production gang, P&O staff (especially Kate and Andrea), Karen and Haydn who were constantly at hand in the kitchen, and my fellow contestants Julia, Robin and Clare. I would also like to thank everyone around me for their support during my amazing week on board, and finally, my son Dylan for having a dream.
Picture courtesy of www.thisissouthwales.co.uk
