Viewers who saw Shivi Ramatour's performance in MasterChef on Friday could be forgiven for thinking she has the competition in the bag.
The singer-songwriter impressed judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace with her imaginative, if risky, dishes as she got through to the knockout week.
She also won praise from three former BBC MasterChef winners, one of whom said he would willingly have paid for the food in a top restaurant.
Shivi, 27, who grew up in Cosby and attended Leicester High School, told viewers she was both nervous and excited about trying to make it through to the next stage.
Despite having a fish and seafood allergy when she was younger, Shivi opted for a fish-based main dish.
Drawing on her Latin-American, Trinidadian and Indian roots, she prepared medallions of monkfish with callaloo crab ravioli, lime beurre blanc sauce, with okra crisps, wilted spinach and pancetta. This was followed by her favourite cocktail in dessert form – a pina colada comprising a coconut souffle, buttered rum ice cream, caramelised pineapple and spiced pineapple tuille.
Gregg was concerned about mixing lime with butter in the main dish.
He said: "I am intrigued by Shivi's food. I am worried about the lime beurre blanc."
But after he tasted both dishes, he said: "I think that woman is an extraordinary cook."
John, commenting on the presentation, said: "I take my hat off. It looks fantastic."
He congratulated her on her technique and said the fish was "lovely and soft".
Past winner Tim Anderson said it was risky to attempt a souffle in the competition, but he would have willingly paid for it in a restaurant.
Previous champion Thomasina Myers loved the monkfish and the ice cream and another former winner, James Nathan, was also full of praise for both dishes.
John Torode's only slight reservation about the main course was that it could have done with a grind of pepper.
Shivi was joined by two other contestants in the knockout week.
Afterwards, Shivi said: "Thomasina is my idol and I was so pleased she liked what I prepared.
"It was also very exciting as I used to suffer from allergic reactions to fish and shellfish.
"But recently I have been able to eat fish so I have been catching up learning to cook various varieties.
"My friends in Leicester have contacted me to say they saw me on television and are delighted I made it through to the knockout week.
"My parents are also surprised. They did not know I loved cooking so much."
Her mum Alison, who lives in Leicester, saw the show online after returning from holiday.
