Oh yes, tobee, I'd forgotten that. It was great fun in a 'party-game-I'd-hate-to-have-to-play' way.
Well done to Saliha. As edited, it was absolutely obvious she was going to win because she didn't put a foot wrong in the final. It's always been the case that the final is judged entirely on that last cook off. Nothing that goes before gets taken into account at all (or so they say). Giovanna was my favourite but her pudding didn't look as cheffy pretentious as the rest of the food, so regardless of how good it tasted she was never going to win unless the other two messed up.
Don't get the objections to Saliha not doing much classic French or British food. She cooked food that originated in various parts of the Indian subcontinent, not just Pakistan, and also Iranian and Middle Eastern food. There have been any number of contestants in the past who have hardly ever tried to do anything but French/British. Should they have been disqualified?
'Children's doctor Tim' (aka a paediatrician for those who know that doesn't mean a paedophile) left the medical profession and now makes a living as a baker after getting to the finals a few years ago. With the NHS in the state it's in, and a young child, I wouldn't be in the least surprised if Saliha decided that it was easier and potentially more satisfying to try to make a living as a cookery blogger/writer/private chef than complete her specialist training.
Giovanna and Steve will be well placed now to earn a living from food if they want to. We'll probably see them back next year as judges.
See you in the autumn for the Professionals!