Me On A Plate – A second helping

My last post opened the door for my readers to get an insight into my life leaving me feeling quite vulnerable. My preference is always to let my work, actions and results do the talking for me rather than me putting my private life out there.

Seeing myself on the #Masterchefuk competition took that vulnerability to another level as warts and all were splashed on national television. I can only describe the process of me watching the first episode as being cringe-worthy.

I found myself focusing on all the imperfections and feeling the opposite of what I should have felt. I immediately sat down and re-watched the episode but this time, I was less focused on the mistakes and imperfections and I began to see all the positives.

I saw myself fighting for an apron after just missing out with my first signature dish and then I saw all the elements that I added overnight to make my second dish stand a better chance.

At the end, I threw everything at the plate and it looked messier than intended, but rather than focus on the messiness of the dish, I saw the fighting spirit behind it and the determination to fight for the coveted Masterchef apron.

I saw the hard work it took to make my pie, an ice-cream, ginger syrup, ginger biscuits, candied coconut and crumb that my ice cream was supposed to sit on and plating it – all in an hour and twenty minutes.  

Finally winning an apron was a proud moment that also signalled to me that the competition had only just started and fighting to keep my apron for as long as possible became my new goal.

I have had an incredible week that I can only describe as re-introducing myself to me. Getting to watch myself in the most unusual setting imaginable gave me a new perspective into who I am and who I am becoming. So here are some of my lessons from my journey so far.

Take a leap of faith

Finding myself in the masterchef kitchen wasn’t something that I planned for any length of time. I was pondering on a conversation and asked myself what I would do for myself if I could and the thought of masterchef immediately came to mind. Before I allowed fear to step in, I picked up my iPad and googled it, saw that I could apply and I immediately started the application. It would turn out to be just before the application stage closed.

Half way through the application process, the fear and nervousness kicked in and although I was tempted to stop the application, I figured there was no harm in continuing the process and letting things take their course. A part of me just assumed it would go no where.

When I got the call about the next stages of the process, you could have knocked me down with a feather and by this stage there was no going back even if I wanted to. Fear and panic gave way to a determination to see the process through, not knowing how far that would be or how it would feel.

In the past year, I made a decision to say yes to every door that was opened to me and walking through the kitchen doors was just one of those ‘Yes’ moments becoming a reality.

Clarity of my goals

Throughout the competition, I have had a set of clear goals that were sometimes progressive. My first two goals were to earn myself an apron and not to be first one to be eliminated. Once I accomplished both, my goals evolved and became more about the how and less about the what.

My goals included (1) do my very best in every cook (2) leave nothing in my tank at the end of each one (3) make delicious food (4) don’t go down without a fight (5) champion Nigerian food (6) showcase what goodness and joy looks like and (7) hopefully make my boys proud and know there’s a place for them and their aspirations.

My measures of success changed as I allowed the outcome of each cook to be whatever it was. I simply focused on my new goals.

Fighting spirit

The beauty of being part of this competition is having the opportunity to see one’s own determination, face one’s biggest fears, knowing just how deep you can dig into yourself to give more when you thought there was nothing left in your tank.

It showed the resilience that we were capable of and regardless of who left the kitchen, it wasn’t because they didn’t fight hard enough to stay. I learnt the beauty of the strength that we all have in us. There were some cooks where half way through, I thought there was no chance of completing all my elements in the time and I would walk out still not knowing how I did them all.

Love, Compassion, Grace and Friendships

Throughout this process of being with other contestants and having viewers sending me messages or commenting about the competition, I have seen the beauty of love and gained new friends.

Everyone demonstrated compassion for each other because we were in the trenches together, there was love and grace even when mistakes were made as we rallied around each other to soften the blow of any disappointment.

And as the show continues to air, I have been encouraged by just how many are cheering me on and it is a blessing and privilege that I am grateful for and don’t take for granted.

I have now got a semi-finals place and I live to fight again. Thanks for your outpouring of love and encouragement and for reading and sharing my posts. Have an amazing week.