Andy Oliver 'devastated' not to win MasterChef final
Devastated Andy Oliver narrowly failed to win BBC television's MasterChef in an emotional final.
Millions of viewers tuned into see judges choose between three finalists.
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Former Barnstaple schoolboy Andy told the cameras at the start of the programme: "I've just got to cook my socks off. The only acceptable outcome is winning. I'll be devastated if I don't."
In the end he was beaten by rival finalist Mat, but won the admiration of the judges and vowed to carry on cooking.
First the three finalists had to cook one dish from a choice of ingredients — and impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace.
Andy impressed with sea bass and a prawn bisque on a bed of spinach.
He was then sent to work in the kitchen of Michelin-starred restaurant Arzak in the Basque city of San Sebastian.
In the final challenge he produced a three course meal with a South East Asian flavour: Thai-style crab cakes, duck breast and a mango and passion fruit sundae which judges said was like "heaven on the end of a spoon".
Andy, 27, quit his management job with BT in London to pursue his dream of becoming a chef.
He even kept a food blog during a holiday in South East Asia.
The show was filmed last year and the final was broadcast on BBC2 tonight at 8pm.
Andy is a former pupil at Pilton School and North Devon College.
He went out of the 2008 competition at the quarter final stage but was invited back to compete in this year's contest.
He would like to run his own business and is particularly interested in styles of food influenced by his travels in Asia.
Andy's father is Mike Oliver, a consultant physician at North Devon District Hospital, and his mother is Sue Oliver, an independent nurse consultant.
MasterChef is billed by the BBC as the toughest and biggest amateur cookery contest.
More than 4,000 people applied to take part in the early stages of the contest.
The series has been drawing in audiences of 4.5 million.
15 Comments
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by Beryl, Cheshire
Tuesday, March 10 2009, 4:24PM
“Well done Andy for being in the final. I thought what yourself and Chris were doing was great. Matt just annoyed me with his constant blubbering! You clearly had good leadership skills, and your food presentation was outstanding - shame I couldn't taste it! I didn't see the final because we were abroad on holiday, but I am sure you produced some lovely dishes.
Good luck for the future and don't give up.”
by haydn, portugal
Monday, March 02 2009, 8:59AM
“I would like to offer Andy a position in our new restaurant in the sunny Algarve with a brand new 3 bedroomed apartment also available, if interested please call me on
0031912246211”
by Nick Wills, Whistler BC, Canada.
Monday, March 02 2009, 6:21AM
“Well done Andy! Proud of you for doing so well, who would have known! You were awesome! The guys were all following you out here, Come out for some snowboarding, c u in the summer. All the best, have fun.”
by Foodie, N Devon
Sunday, March 01 2009, 6:27PM
“I dont think Andy needs to feel bad. He did extremely well and I would bet my next meal that he will have some good offers as a result of the publicity. He didnt lose, he just came second.”
by chris, south molton
Sunday, March 01 2009, 9:16AM
“gutted for you andy, we supported you for weeks.....keep it up mate”
by pamela, Edinburgh
Saturday, February 28 2009, 6:35PM
“Absolutely nerve wracking final where Mat and Andy appeared neck and neck. Mat was conistent throughout the past two weeks though Andy possessed the leadership skills. All three produced outstanding food and are to be commended for their amazing journeys.
I'm sure that being a Masterchef finalist will act as an excellent reference for all three of them going into a kitchen. And look at the fantastic exposure and opportunties they've had. Well done boys .. you were all great.
In the end, I think Mat had the edge - and the humility - we all cried with you when you won!”
by sue swan, barnstaple devon
Saturday, February 28 2009, 11:22AM
“well done andrew i thought you deserved to win you are obviously an exceptional cook, best of luck for the future hope you realize your dreams.”
by john, redmond, wa. usa
Saturday, February 28 2009, 12:40AM
“I really thought Andy was going to win...
Andy: I hope your foodery is a smash.
--cheers, mate.”
by Mark, West Sussex
Friday, February 27 2009, 3:00PM
“Congratulations Mat.
Yes shame there have to be losers in such a tight contest.
I would dearly love to see where Mat decides to set up business. I would travel to sample his cooking......does anybody have a clue where that might be planned. I know they said he resided in Dorset”
by ANGELA MARTIN, Bedale
Friday, February 27 2009, 1:21PM
“It is sad that with such great potential, one had to win. But since the object of the competition is to win a place in a professional kitchen, it is even sadder that the Judges didn't choose someone who was prepared to take advantage of that opportunity. Mat is a great cook but he has commitments that mean he would never have been able to do so - unlike Andy & Chris. This has happened before and it is just not right - in view of the judges constantly reminding us that they 'were looking for someone who could cut it in a professional kitchen. What a waste!”