Seriously tough

This item will be meaningless for readers outside the UK, but the titantic battle that was this year's Masterchief had me hooked to the sofa last night for the grand final as it had for the weeks leading up to it. This year's competition really was the toughest yet (to use the overused phrase of judges John and Gregg) and any of the three finalists — single dad Jonny, astonishingly gifted 18-year-old Emily and eventual winner James — would have won in any other year, it's just a shame that two of the three had to lose. You always have your favourite and the precociously talented Emily whose inventive dishes constantly left John speechless (or with a tear in his eye) was ours. When the camera followed her back home at the start of last night's show, and revealed her skill at painting, her talent all made sense. She's an artist, plain and simple, be it with watercolours or food. It was a shame she lost, but I have a sneaky suspicion we'll be seeing more of her.