Dollar Academy teacher Jilly McCord has narrowly missed out on this year’s Masterchef title after impressing the judges in the final.
The former Scotland Rugby captain, 41, was tasked with creating a three course meal after reaching the final round of this year’s BBC cookery competition, which aired at 9pm on BBC1 on Friday.
Jilly, who recently moved from Inverkeithing, made a tuna nicoise with olive tapenade and tuna carpaccio for her starter.
This was followed by roast partridge and black pudding pithivier and finally a lemon tart.
Presenter and critic Gregg Wallace described the main as being a “diner’s delight” whilst John Torode said the starter reminded him of being in France.
History and politics teacher Jilly described the nerves beforehand as similar to walking out the tunnel at Murrayfield, something she did plenty of times on her way to making 57 appearances for Scotland.
But after a great performance, the 2019 prize went to finalist Irini Tzortzoglou.
Jilly said: “Masterchef has been exhausting and exhilarating. It’s changed me as a person.
“It’s made me realise that you can dream something and make it a reality.
“I don’t feel sad, just Joy for Irini and joy for myself. It’s been such a good experience.”
