Waikato couple Libby and Elliot win The Great Food Race

27 April, 2014

Waikato couple Libby and Elliot win The Great Food Race

Waikato sweethearts Libby Buchanan and Elliot Jones were tonight crowned the inaugural winners of The Great Food Race LIVE on TV3, after an intense, hour-long head-to-head cook off.

The 13 week competition has seen Libby and Elliot showcase their cooking talents not just in New Zealand but across the world taking them out of their comfort zones and on their first overseas experience as a couple.

In tonight’s Grand Final, Libby and Elliot along with fellow finalists Sarah and Danny, were up against each other and the clock for the last time in the most crucial challenge yet. During the Final, #greatfoodface was the number one trending topic in New Zealand on Twitter.

While Sara and Danny were strong contenders, Libby and Elliot managed to snap up the all-important extra point by completing the Maize Maze challenge first.

Tonight, Libby and Elliot cooked a pumpkin and blue cheese ravioli entrée, a trio of duck as their main dish, and a white chocolate mousse with lemon and feijoa curd for dessert.

The judges were impressed and with the addition of their extra point they had a final score of 19, beating Sarah and Danny, who scored 16 points.

Judges Leonardo and Lorenzo Bresolin felt Libby and Elliot were the quiet achievers of the contestants. “They were the dark horses of the competition who never gave anything away. As a team they always had a calmness about them and could deal really well with anything that was thrown at them” says Lorenzo.

Leonardo felt it was Elliot’s skill set and the pair’s teamwork that held them in good stead. “Elliot was good at showing a range of technical skills. He and Libby worked really well as a team, were great at strategising and always gave 100 percent.”

As well as the coveted title Libby and Elliot take home the grand prize of $10,000 worth of Countdown groceries, 10,000 Air New Zealand Airpoints Dollars and $20,000 cash.

Elliot Jones says: “I was terrified about the dessert but now we have won it is incredible!”

Libby Buchanan says: “It’s so surreal! What a cool experience to share with each other.”

Elliot adds: “We wouldn’t have wanted to do this competition with anyone else.”

Sue Woodfield, Head of Commissioning for MediaWorks TV, congratulated Libby and Elliot on behalf of TV3:

“It’s been a fantastic journey. Libby and Elliot have worked so hard under extreme circumstances and I really admire what they’ve achieved. Well done to all eight teams who gave it their all, but most of all a well-deserved congratulations to Libby and Elliot.”

The Great Food Race is an original format produced by Eyeworks for TV3, with broadcast sponsor Countdown, and Programme Partner Air New Zealand.

Hosted by Zoe Marshall and judged by restaurateur brothers Leonardo and Lorenzo Bresolin The Great Food Race blends food, entertaining, racing and travel in a competition where contestants believe they can provide a culinary experience to remember anywhere in New Zealand – or the world.

TV3.co.nz/greatfoodrace
www.facebook.com/greatfoodrace
#greatfoodrace

ENDS

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