Kilkenny baker among finalists in RTÉ Christmas cooking competition
Piltown woman Charlene Duggan is hoping to impress viewers of RTÉ's TODAY show with her festive cooking skills as she competes to bring the ‘Christmas Home Cook’ title to Kilkenny
A Kilkenny woman has been named among eight finalists in a national Christmas cooking competition on RTÉ's popular TODAY show.
Charlene Duggan (42), from Piltown, Co Kilkenny, is flying the flag for the county after securing a place in the final eight of the show's ‘Christmas Home Cook’ competition.
The self-taught home baker, who shares her passion for baking and food recipes on Instagram, is one of eight amateur cooks from seven counties hoping to be crowned RTÉ's Christmas Home Cook.
Charlene impressed during the competition's opening stages with a white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake, which she prepared for well-known chef Trisha Lewis.
Speaking about her love of cooking, Charlene said: “I'm a (although my kids will kill me for saying it!) content creator for baking and food recipes and a self-taught home baker. I love using my Instagram to show people how to cook and bake.”
The festive competition follows the success of the TODAY TV Home Cook competition last season, with producers inviting talented amateur cooks from across Ireland to showcase their Christmas cooking skills.
The eight shortlisted contestants have been mentored by chef Trisha Lewis, with presenters Dáithí Ó Sé, Maura Derrane and Sinead Kennedy revealing the finalists live on the programme on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Charlene faces competition from Joanna McCormack from Kildangan, County Kildare, who previously appeared on the first series of The Traitors Ireland, and Weldon Costello from Raheny, Dublin, who has embarked on a new career as a wedding and funeral celebrant following a stroke.
Also in the running are Gillian Storan from Lismore, County Waterford; Ailish O'Dowd from Kiltevna, County Galway; Deirdre Griffin from Kilnamona, County Clare; Isabelle Kilroy from Dublin; and Maura MacDonald from Gorey, County Wexford.
Viewers now have the chance to support their favourite contestant, with voting opening on Wednesday, November 11, at RTÉ.ie/tvhomecook.
The competition will see the field narrowed to four contestants, who will get the opportunity to cook live in the TODAY show kitchen during the semi-finals.
The grand finale is scheduled to take place live on Monday, December 7, when the winner of the Christmas Home Cook title will be announced.
The successful contestant will receive a two-day course at the Dunbrody Country House cookery school, along with two nights' bed and breakfast for two people and one dinner at Dunbrody Country House Hotel.
With a place in the final eight already secured, Charlene will be hoping her baking talents can help her progress further in the competition and bring the Christmas Home Cook title back to Kilkenny.
The TODAY show airs Monday to Friday from 3.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.