Navan man named RTE radio"s Masterchef

A Navan man has shown amazing culinary skills to win the title of Masterchef on the RTE Radio Programme, The Mooney Show. Kevin Mac Namidhe, who is well known in Navan as the man behind P5TV, was one of two Meath finalists to take part in the competition. Ian Byrne from of Jamestown Park, Ratoath took third place in the competition, which attracted over 800 entries. Kevin, Ian and Anton Newman Reilly, a Norwegian living in Avoca Co. Wicklow, were the three to make it through to the final of the competition. For the final last week, The Mooney Show broadcast live from the Olde Candle Restaurant in Newcastle where the three finalists sweated it out in the kitchen to create a three-course-meal masterpiece for judges Robert Doggett, of the Trocodero restaurant, and Dermot O"Neill, who is well known for his gardening expertise but is also one of the only people to receive a five star rating on RTÉ"s The Restaurant. Kevin, who cooked summer bisque, scallops wrapped in smoked salmon with citrus dill sauce and goats cheese ice cream, won a holiday for two to Paris for his efforts. He said his love for cooking came from watching his mother deftly prepare succulent meals from economic cuts of meat and fresh vegetables. 'Seán Kinsella of Mirabeau fame was also an inspiration. He allowed me drop into his kitchen and watch him prepare dishes for the celebrity taste buds. He gave me the confidence to create new dishes with exciting sauces made from fresh ingredients at home. Though I never worked for him, he taught me a lot,' he said. He said he loved cooking for family and friends and, for him, the secret is to get the ingredients right - as fresh and as local as possible - fresh from the farmers" markets and the fisherman"s boat. Experimenting with international recipes is also part of his repertoire. Kevin admits to being a cookaholic. 'I read as many cookery books as possible - even take them on holiday, watch the food channel and like to entertain,' he said. Ian Byrne from Ratoath took third place with his menu of spaghetti with prawns and rocket, saltimbocca and polenta and apple cake with a glass of Vin Santo. His dessert in particular was a huge hit with the judges. Ian is originally from Dublin, but has been living in Ratoath for nine years. 'I enjoy cooking and have cooked since I was a toddler, so I decided to take a chance and enter,' he said. Ian, who is married to Sandra has one son, Senan who is just over 10 months old. He works as an environment consultant. He said he is the one who does most of the cooking and home and he loves to cook for family and friends.