Model and food writer Roz Purcell has joined RTÉ One's food entrepreneur series The Taste of Success as the show's Leinster Mentor.
Purcell revealed her new role on The Late Late Show on RTÉ One on Friday night and shared her excitement about taking part in the series, which has a prize fund of €100,000 and sees the winning product on the shelves of over 140 Lidl stores nationwide.
"I am looking for applicants at the moment," she told Late Late host Ryan Tubridy. "It is my first year so, obviously, I want to be in with chance to win."
The Natural Born Feeder author said she is relishing the competition that lies ahead and is going into the show with an open mind.
"I do appreciate originality and it's important to find someone who is truly passionate about their dish and, of course, willing to take advice," she said.
"I won't be just focussing on finding someone that's my style of cooking; I am just on the search for that ultimate dish."
When asked what her mentoring approach would be, Purcell said the contestants may have to put aside their personal preferences in order to win the series.
"It's never easy when someone is critiquing your favourite dish, so I think I would try to work alongside them as a peer rather than a mentor," she explained.
Entries for The Taste of Success are invited at rte.ie/thetasteofsuccess. The competition is open to anyone with an idea for a food product and the closing date for applications is noon on Thursday May 5. The new series will be filmed around Ireland this summer.
Purcell said that members of the public have nothing to lose by applying to take part.
"Regardless of the outcome, you will get some great feedback on how to master your dish," she continued.
"That dish your Dad always makes, your family's best kept secret - why let that just disappear? If you are getting set to enter, spruce up on your recipe and why not have a family and friends tasting of your efforts to take advantage of an audience who will be brutally honest?"
