BBC Masterchef star Terri Fearon says that she cooks to keep alive a memory of her late father
and live on Freeview channel 276
Terri Fearon made it down to the final four of the iconic BBC show with a dish inspired by her granny's "dippy eggs and soldiers" but sadly didn’t make it to the ultimate showdown.
The 30-year-old accountant who moved to England from Banbridge in her mid-20s was asked by presenters John Torode and Gregg Wallace in the semi-final to produce "something theatrical and fantastical".
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdShe told the hosts: "When I was a kid, on a Saturday I'd go to my Nan's house and she'd make me dippy eggs and soldiers for lunch.”
![Terri Fearon did Northern Ireland proud on Masterchef](https://www.newsletter.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmU0ZmE2NTc4LWE4OTMtNDEyMi1hNWM1LWQyMDUxZDI0N2JhMTpiNjBmZDYxOC0xODg1LTRhY2YtYWQzYy03NzI2NzY4MTc3ZmM=.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&trim=&width=640&quality=65)
![Terri Fearon did Northern Ireland proud on Masterchef](/img/placeholder.png)
As an ode to that meal Terri created tempered chocolate shells, filled with coconut mousse and a mango puree, representing the egg white and yolk.
They were served on a breakfast tray with soldiers made from churros, an orange and mango cocktail and a solid chocolate spoon.
She said: "It's a dish that lends itself to the playfulness of seeing one thing and eating another.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdTerri’s late father Sean who worked as a chef died in a car crash close to their home town of Banbridge when she was eight.
She told the BBC: "My last memories of him was him going off to work in his chef's whites so I think it's definitely had an influence on my love for food and how much I associate the kitchen with him.
"For me cooking is almost keeping that little bit of memory alive of my dad – that's how I see it.
"But also it's something that I enjoy doing and it's a big part of who I am."
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdTerri is a former pupil of St Mary's Primary School in Banbridge, St Mary's High School in Newry and the University of Ulster.
Although she missed out on a place in tonight's grand final she said that the experience has been “life-changing”.
Terri said: "I've loved learning from all the other contestants, getting tips from John and Gregg. The whole experience has been absolutely life-changing."
The MasterChef final will be broadcast on BBC One and the BBC iPlayer tonight at 8pm.