Maura dishes up TV winner

ONE of the Duke of Devonshire’s estate managers, who has fed many rich and famous people, could make herself a small fortune after winning a major cookery competition.

Maura Bielski, from Fermoy, Co Cork, was celebrating last night after winning RTÉ’s Recipe for Success for her smoked haddock and spinach pancakes.

From today her winning product will be stocked in over 190 SuperValu stores nationwide and Maura will get a percentage of everything sold.

“I was shocked when I saw my pancakes on display as the winning product for the series finale. Now that the news has sunk in I’m absolutely thrilled. The experience has been great,” she said.

In the final programme, Maura worked with Cork-based supermarket design firm, Huguenot, to come up with a packaging design that would make her product stand out.

Restaurateur Oliver Peyton, who owns a string of successful London restaurants, acted as a mentor to the participants throughout the series.

“Maura’s the sort of person this show was made for. It’s a great product, everyone should go out and buy it and be happy for her,” Mr Peyton said.

SuperValu managing director Ray Kelly, who was also a member of the judging panel, said he was delighted for Maura and would support her business venture.

“At SuperValu we want to ensure that the talent of local producers is nurtured and supported. Maura is the perfect example of the entrepreneurial spirit shown by local producers around the country,” Mr Kelly said.

The other final contestants were David Donnelly from Dundalk, Catherine Whitty from Arklow, Christine Jordan from Carlow and Kevin MacNamidhe from Navan.

As part of her job at Careysville, Maura has fed Tiger Woods, Mark O’Meara and JP McManus.