Can our Linda win her MasterChef apron and fly the flag for Betsi?
24.04.23
A senior secretary in Glan Clwyd Hospital’s cardiology department is about to start her journey on the hit BBC One cookery competition MasterChef.
Linda Zouggari makes her bow on the show during week three, tomorrow night (April 25) at 9pm.
Having started with the health board as a domestic in 2008, she then moved to a secretarial position within dermatology, where she stayed for nine years, before taking up her role as a senior secretary in cardiology four years ago.
Linda admits she is an avid watcher of the show and revealed it was her daughter who pushed her into applying for the competition.
“I always watch and love MasterChef,” she said. “John and Gregg are my favourite television presenters.
“I had just recovered from breast cancer and heading towards my 60th birthday and my daughter Kelly said why not apply. I thought what have I got to lose? So I did and here I am.”
Having lived for some of her life in Turkey, Linda revealed she and her husband Ouassim are fond of trying all types of cuisine.
She said: “I don’t have a certain type of cooking style as I enjoy making different foods from around the world.
“My husband is Moroccan. The food of his country is a massive inspiration and something I love to cook. I also love to do desserts which I’m hoping Gregg will like.”
Linda recalls happy times making pies and cakes with her mum after school and it was this which inspired her to pass on those skills to her five children.
It seems food is never far from her thoughts and her dream involves making a living from her passion.
She said: “I have always wanted my own small business - a little bistro abroad, somewhere nice and hot. Creating a cookbook, travelling, exploring food, and cooking for people close to me - basically anything to do with food.”
In tomorrow night’s episode Linda will be looking to earn her MasterChef apron in front of hosts John Torode and Greg Wallace.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Chair Dyfed Edwards said he cannot wait to see how Linda gets on.
He said: “It is great to see Linda get this chance to shine on TV and I know I’ll be speaking for our 19,000 staff when I say ‘pob lwc Linda’. Good luck from us all, we’re right behind you.”
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