MERIDEN’S Pookie narrowly missed on being crowned Masterchef champion.
The beauty salon owner went head to head with fellow finalists Eddie and Radha to create three courses in three hours on the BBC show.
Pookie once again showed her creativity and paid homage to her roots by cooking up a Thai storm in the Masterchef kitchen.
She served judges John Torode and Greg Wallace a Tom Yum infused chicken soup, then surf and turf with gold leaf covered fillet steak and finished it with the Thai-classic mango and sticky rice.
Speaking on the show the 45-year-old said: “My Masterchef journey it has been very emotional and I couldn’t do it without my loved ones to support me.
“This experience has given me the boost to be more confident in every way.”
Once again the judges spoke highly of her cooking and creativity skills with her dishes.
Greg said: “I have never met a cook like you Pookie.
“You want to serve good food, but want to do more than that I think you want to do more than that I think you want to give to people you want your guests to feel special.
“And I’m really impressed and I’m really thankful.”
Pookie grew up in Bangkok before moving to the UK after earning her degree and while she has Thai-Chinese heritage she said she does not limit herself to Thai-Chinese food.
Pookie said: “I am Thai with Chinese heritage and although this has a huge influence on my cooking, I don’t limit myself to Thai-Chinese food.
“I like cooking international foods but love introducing my own style with all the foods I’ve cooked.
“Most of all I want my food to be flavoursome, delicious, fun and put a smile on people’s faces.”
