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Blog Round Up

We are avid MasterChef fans. When Steven Groves, of Launceston Place, emerged triumphant last week, we cheered. His playful cooking makes him a worthy winner. Anyone who pumps smoke into a bell jar deserves to win.

So, given Tommi’s success on MasterChef , we thought we’d use it as our theme this week and see what recent winners and finalists are up to…

1. Steven Wallis, who won in 2007, is doing a demonstration at the Slow Food Hallowe’en Market of how to cook “an unusual and rich classic dish “Pepian” which has its roots in Guatemala and is normally eaten on “the Day of the Dead” (El Dia de los Muertos or All Souls Day – 1st November)”. We’re intrigued and are keen to pop down for some inspiration at the weekend.

2. Hannah Miles, who missed out on winning the big prize to Steven, writes a great blog called Hannah’s Country Kitchen. She recently launched a decadent book of all about baking cakes and cookies and is about to publish her second book called Sundaes and Splits. Can anyone see a theme here?

3. Matt Folas, who won last year, has done brilliantly. He’s foregone the usual route of being a trainee chef in big London kitchens and has opened his own restaurant in Dorset called Wild Garlic. From the website, blog and comments we’ve heard it sounds amazing and we’d love to try it out. It’s good to see another blogger in the restaurant world.

4. But it’s not just the competitors who’ve got new projects on the go. Greg Wallace is set to open a greengrocers in Putney called “Wallace and Co.” and John Torode has just launched a new restaurant called Luxe which AA Gill reviewed on Sunday.

5. For a witty rolling summary of this year’s MasterChef drama check out meemalee’s kitchen blog. It’ll have you laughing into your remote control.

We’re intrigued about what’s happened to all the other winners and finalists from the various MasterChef competitions that have graced our screens over the last few years. What are they all up to? If you have any clues please let us know…