Cooking With The Stars | Interview with Shirley Ballas

Mentored by culinary expert and regular chef on This Morning Joseph Denison Carey.

So why did you sign up for Cooking with the Stars?

Because my mother and my son don’t have much faith in my cooking ability. And my mother, I think, wanted to be a little bit amused at me learning how to cook. I thought I would sign up for my 84-year-old mother but then I would give it 100 per cent of everything I’ve got to learn about everything there is to do in a kitchen, of which I know nothing.

What kind of cooking experience have you got?

I’ve got a very generic one – baked potatoes, tuna and salads. Anything with a salad. I can do a roast dinner. I can do mashed potato and chicken and veg. I can do anything that’s super simple. I’ve never made a sauce or Indian food or Thai food or all the different palates that we’ll experience on this show. I’ve never done that before.

What have you been most nervous about and what are you most excited about?

Well, I’m the most nervous. I had never used a mixing machine, I didn’t know what mandolins were. I didn’t know the difference between the teaspoon, the tablespoon and the dessert spoon. Timing of everything, pulling it all out at the right time. Sharp knives – I’ve chopped my finger off twice in the kitchen! Hot surfaces… I’m just not used to being in that environment. I’m in and out; I do the quickest food I can at home with the cleanest way possible to do it. When you look in these kitchens, it’s like a tornado has hit it – I’ve got flour in my hair and hanging from my eyelashes!

Is there one particular culinary skill that you’re hoping to master?

Yes, I’m hoping to master the different ways that you can make the mustard sauces at ease, anything to do with the sauces really.

What’s your mentor like?

I have to say I’ve got the youngest chef and he’s beautifully raised by his mother for sure. What beautiful, beautiful manners and a sincere soul so we start with that. As for the cooking – it’s difficult enough to give me a challenge but it’s within my capabilities right now. I think he’s picked great dishes. He’s a very, very bright boy, smart.

So is he quite patient? He’s not the type that’s sort of shouting and yelling in the kitchen!

Oh, he is feisty but very good.

And are you feeling competitive?

I’m feeling competitive with myself. The thing with me is not to panic in the kitchen. One of the dishes this week, I did not get out on time. Another one, I decided that my courgettes were too wet. I thought I’ll get my tea towel and give them a little dry – nobody will know when they’re on the plate. Well, I pulled the tea towel and it started raining courgettes all over the kitchen!

Who is your biggest inspiration in the kitchen?

Gordon Ramsay. Yeah, I love him. I want him to cook me fish and chips. Gordon, if you’re watching this please come and help me because I want to meet you.

Are there any types of cuisine you don’t like?

Indian food I didn’t like at the beginning – I didn’t like the smell, I didn’t like the taste but I must say it’s growing on me.

Have you been concerned about any sort of food – any dislikes or phobias that might hamper progress in the competition?

No, because I’m willing to try everything. You know if Joe says try it I try it.

Have you ever had a huge cooking disaster that you could tell me about?

I blew an egg up twice in the microwave! I made Eggs Mornay for my mother and when she tasted it she threw it outside and the birds were wiping it off their beaks! When we were in lockdown I thought let me practice these cookery skills. I made this pasta and it turned out like wallpaper paste. I then tried to cook a pie and when I picked it up the whole base fell out because it was so heavy. It was just disgusting. It wasn’t even edible.

What’s the best meal that’s ever been cooked for you?

I would probably say some of my ex-husband’s cooking. He was a chef, he worked in his father’s hotel and he was a chef.

Is there any food that’s a guilty pleasure for you?

Anything that sweet based – cakes, sweeties…I love anything like that.

So when you’ve got you’ve completed all of this show and you’re an amazing cook and you have a dinner party, who would be your three dream dinner party guests?

Well, of course, I would love for Gordon Ramsay to taste my cooking. It is an open invitation. I would like to also invite Tom Cruise because I know him, I’ve taught him a little bit so it would be nice to have him for dinner. And then Donny Osmond, I know him very well.

What are you cooking for them?

I would probably cook my Thai dish with the coconut rice and the beautiful sauce.

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Baked potato, tuna and a lovely green fresh salad.