The Blog
Final Winner: Paul Mahon
This week was a real blast. I was told on Monday to have my passport ready, as we were off to Paris for lunch no less! I was sure they were going to make us cook lunch in a Parisian restaurant but thankfully I was wrong. The two Kevin’s, Annie and myself had a beautiful eight course lunch. It was revealed that Annie was to have Kevin Thornton as her mentor. Yes! This was just what I wanted because I knew that Kevin could be a little “difficult” in the kitchen and I needed every chance to beat Annie who is a much more relaxed and naturally gifted cook than me.
The following day we had to cook a three-course meal in a boat on the Liffey for eight of the country’s top food critics! This wasn’t fair but I was up for anything at that stage. Kevin Dundon and myself had our menu worked out and we prepped together. It was great to work with Kevin. Service went well and to my surprise the “top critics” were all the other contestants from the programme!
They scored us and I had an extra point going into the final. This was a great boost as now the underdog was doing well.
I worked in Kevin’s kitchen on Friday and Saturday, which was great fun, thanks to all the guys down in Dunbrody.
There was a funny feeling in the kitchen in Ely HQ on Sunday. There was a tension that I had not felt before. Kevin Dundon seemed a little edgy and I felt he really gave me a hard time, so much so that I felt I couldn’t do anything right. This seemed to rub off onto my sous chef and I felt a bit like the boy in the kitchen.
Service was good and actually my sous chef was very organised. I ran the pass, as well as cooking and we worked well together. Our food looked and tasted good and to get a 9 for that was just brilliant. I was delighted for myself but disappointed for Annie.
It was only when I got back into my kitchen at home that I saw a changed me. All of my home cooking tastes and looks better since this competition began. I see a little bit of the Kevin’s and Annie when I serve a plate of food now. I am in their debt for taking me on a journey that I will never forget. I said at the time that I would never do this again but I miss it now and I think I’ll have to find a way to keep my regular job going and fit in a little time to do more than just home cooking...
Semi-Final Winners - Ann Hamill and Paul Mahon
Ann Hamill:
Getting picked at all to take part in the Heat competition was incredible. A quarter final place, a semi final place and now through to the final.
Teaming up with Paul Mahon and being with Team Dundon for the semi final was so exciting. When I met up with Paul at his home in Stepaside I thought this guy is much younger than me and I hoped we would get along. We drove to Dunbrody together for our menu presentation to Kevin Dundon. Working in Dunbrody kitchen helped me a lot to understand what it was to now be working as part of a team and that all our best efforts were required if we were to pull it off at the semi finals. We presented 3 starters, 3 mains and 3 deserts each to Kevin and out of that he picked 2 starters, 2 mains and 2 desserts to go forward to be our menu on the night. The staff at Dunbrody were incredible, eager to help, show and advise us on the workings of a busy kitchen. I will be forever indebted to Kevin and Catherine and their wonderful staff for giving me the opportunity to work in their kitchen.
Again due to my time restrains at the weekend Paul facilitated me by coming to Mullingar to get prepped for the Sunday night restaurant. We had a lot to do, we did most of our produce shopping in Mullingar and as much prep as we could in my kitchen. Paul went back to Dublin I’m sure the worst for ware but I really enjoyed the experience and saw an improved Paul and Ann, in areas that were lacking when we first met. Losing is not easy and Dorcas and Des put their best foot forward, as we did, but we won on the night.
Paul my partner for the past week is now my opponent for the final. The week ahead is unknown territory as we are to be given our brief and Mentors tomorrow. I know which team I want to be on, but whatever one it is I will do my best and win or lose I feel I have achieved something great in my taking part in the HEAT competition.
Paul Mahon:
Annie Hamill is the greatest thing that has happened my cooking world. She has such a love for all things Italian and a sense of humour that ranged from A to X-rated!
Working in Kevin Dundon's kitchen was a wonderful experience that I will never forget but Annie really made me look crap! She was so prepared and organised and I had my head up my ass! I was delighted when Kevin choose the duck because that dish was inspired by my brother David, who, if you know him, is a wonderful cook, some say better than me! Liars! Kevin Dundon was a gentleman, tough in the kitchen but a true gent. We prepped in Annie's kitchen on the Saturday and we had a productive day, great fun, lots of chat, slagging and laughing!
In Dublin on Sunday we were busy all day and by 7pm we were well ready. I was surprised we were so organised and I felt comfortable in the kitchen. I felt that we were a great team! We knew what each other were doing and we were good to go. Dorcas and Des were busy and although we were in the same kitchen we didn't get to chat much.
I think the first order came in around ten o clock and Christ they didn't stop coming! We were swamped with orders and it was tough going. Annie was running the pass and cooking. I'm sure I was doing something but I'll have to wait and see it on TV myself because it's all a blur!
At the end of the night we were bollixed! I have no other word to describe it. Annie was crying. I started smoking again after being off the fags for three months! At that moment we wanted out. We did not want to win. We just wanted to go home!
Week 4 Winner: Des Waddick
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Week 3 Winner: Ann Hamill
To be in the presence of two of Irelands leading Chefs is one thing, to get to cook beside them is truly amazing and something I will never forget. Kevin Dundon my mentor was wonderful, he facilitated me every step of the way. Working long hours in my job and taking care of elderly Mum at the weekend's means my time has to be carefully planned. Getting to Dunbrody was a logistical nightmare so Kevin came to meet me, I am truly grateful to him for that.
Food is my passion. After a busy day in the office nothing gives me greater pleasure than to get into my kitchen and be creative with food. I come alive when I get a chance to talk food, work with food and enjoy food with my friends and family. Friends pop in at meal time knowing I always have an extra portion or two in the pot.
Taking part in Heat came as a total shock to me. A friend emailed me, knowing my love of food she suggested I enter the competition. Getting to quarter final stage was amazing and now going on to the semi finals is beyond words. Dave Farrell could be the son I never had. We were connected from the moment we met and it was with deep regret that he did not get to the next stage. I know we will be in touch for a long time to come.
Mullingar is my home town and I am very lucky with the quality and range of fresh produce available from artisan producers, the Mullingar Farmers market, gourmet shops etc etc. It's easy to be creative when you have wonderful products to work with.
In 2003 after turning 50 I decided to go to Italy on a cookery course. After my course my travels took me to Emelia Romagna to find Parmesan Cheese, Balsamic vinegar, Prosciuto, I found a lot lot more and started a love affair with Italy.
The Heat competition has given me the opportunity express my love of food and maybe give me the courage to proceed to doing something in the food business in the future. My thanks to all the production team for their encouragement and help during a very difficult week!
Week 2 Winner: Paul Mahon
I have the most wonderful job you can imagine. I spend my days teaching music, singing, and playing guitar and it is just the most wonderful thing. It's calm happy and stress free.
I love food. I love cooking for people. I'm not brilliant at it but I'm learning more every time I turn the cooker on. I was so excited to get Kevin Thornton as my mentor as I hoped the tuition from a Michelin star chef would be incredible albeit daunting.
Firstly can I say that after getting to know Kevin a bit better I have the greatest respect and admiration for him as a person and as a chef. When he's out of the kitchen he is a gentleman and great fun.
My first three days with Kevin Thornton were hell. In the kitchen I found him really tough and very difficult to deal with.
By Thursday I felt that Kevin sensed my despair and we started to connect a little better. Friday we prepped as the menu was now complete and things started to come together. I started smiling again. Saturday was tough because my daughter was making her first holy communion. I was there in body but could not relax or enjoy the ceremony or the family BBQ. That same evening I was back to Thorntons kitchen 'till 2am to finish the prep for Sunday.
On the big day Kevin was fantastic. He was so helpful and encouraging as we got ready for service. I had started to understand this man, this genius.
Service was fantastic. 2 hours felt like 15 minutes! I really got a buzz from it and all the panicking and mistakes were all part of the ride. Killian my sous chef was a rock. At least someone knew what they were doing!
When the scores were revealed I was too tired to count! So I wasn't quite sure if I'd won or not! I never really got to chat with Colum but he seemed like a nice guy and was disappointed to lose. I was happy to win but I was completely worn out and the thoughts of doing the same stuff all over again for another week really didn't excite me at the time!
Week 1 Winner: Dorcas Barry
The dishes I chose to cook were based on my love of local artisan produced foods, which was my chosen take on the 'Irish' theme given. I get a great buzz out of sourcing amazing produce, such as those used in this menu; Knockdrinna cheese, Wexford smoked salmon, Fermanagh Black Bacon, and Smoked Gubbeen cheese among others. The use of these foods is really important to me as they bring my passion for wonderful tasting and good quality produce to this menu.
Even though the experience has been overwhelming at times, with so many new skills to take on board, I have learnt so much. At times I felt terrified of running the restaurant for the night, but just kept focusing on each task one by one and trying to always work towards creating great food. The challenge for me whenever I cook is to create food that tastes great by using good ingredients and balancing flavours well - in this situation the challenge was to achieve this in a professional restaurant. My main challenge during service, apart from getting the orders out as fast as possible, while maintaining the quality of the dishes, was dealing with the sous chefs and the problems that arose from that. This was a completely new situation for me and one that I was not sure how to handle, but I gained invaluable experience as far as realising how important it is to maintain maximum control over the dishes going out to the diners.
I'm really looking forward to trying out all that I've learned so far, and hopefully without the same level of fear now that I've run the kitchen once. I'm also really looking forward to being a part of the whole experience again, and to learn as much as possible from whichever mentor I have for the next show.
