Maura Derrane looks set to be the queen of the celebrity kitchen with her impressive culinary skills on ’The Restaurant’ on Thursday night.
The Today with Maura and Daithi presenter is said to have made a lasting impression on judges Marco Pierre White and Rachel Allen during her stint as head chef.
The TV host has chosen a menu which reflects her childhood and her passion for seafood cuisine.
But, the Aran Islands native admitted her main goal was to bring as many stars as possible back to co-host Dáithí O'Se.
Speaking before she stepped into the heat of the celebrity kitchen, she said: “I’d hate to have to crawl back to Dáithí with just one star under my belt.
“I wouldn’t say that I’m a big foodie but I guess I’ve been very lucky that I get to work with some of the best chefs, not only in Ireland but in the world.
“Five stars would be unbelievable but somewhere in the between would make me really happy.
“If I got two stars I’d have to crawl back to Daithi O’Se and Grainne Seoige and all the people I know who have done this and have probably done a bit better than that.
Maura is set to impress the judges with a starter of Fermented Potato Pancakes, Horseradish Aioli & Organic Smoked Salmon.
Her second starter is Beetroot Carpaccio, Island Goat Cheese, Hazelnut with a Champagne Dressing.
For mains, the seasoned presenter prepares Salted Cod, Seaweed and Mussel Cream with Wild Garlic Mash which blew tough critic Marco away.
Crediting the home cook, during the head chef challenge, the top chef said: “It’s the best I’ve ever eaten in Dublin”.
Maura serves two desserts, Lemon Set Cream, Rhubarb Jelly and Meringue.
And while the judges seemed impressed, one diner commented: “It’s a nursing home in a glass”.
But resident critic, Rachel Allen was very taken with the delicate dessert commenting: “WOW… It’s so good”.
Speaking on Today with Maura and Daithi after the show finished filming judge Rachel Allen admitted Maura left a lasting impression on the team.
She said: “Marco called her at the end of the meal and he said: ‘Maura, you are a clever, clever girl’.”
However, both remained tight lipped when probed about how many stars the judges awarded.
Maura said: “We are not allowed to say.
She went on to joke: “Ten stars I got, they had a new card with ten stars.”
The Restaurant is hosted in Marco Pierre White Courtyard Bar & Grill Donnybrook.
