SHE may have spent just three weeks in Britain’s most-watched kitchen, but Glasgow’s very own Josie Popera bowed out gracefully.

A better home cook than she arrived and with life-long friends in tow, it was pastry, plums and pasta that signalled an end to her TV stint. But, there’s no stopping this budding cook - except when it comes to pie.

As previously reported by the Evening Times, 37-year-old Josie, from Dennistoun, flew the flag for Scotland on BBC One’s new and exciting cooking series, Britain’s Best Home Cook (BBHC).

On Thursday night, we watched, with bated breath, as the cooks were given two hours to prepare their ultimate pie with delicious accompaniments designed to showcase their individual personality.

Josie found her Filipino heritage a distinct disadvantage as she struggled to keep up with the group’s pastry skills.

“I had a wee party with very close friends for this episode,” she says. “I made a pie and a wee pesto puff twist.”

READ MORE: Meet the Dennistoun girl flying the flag for Scotland on BBC’s new cooking series 

Bursting into uncontrollable laughter, she reveals: “I forgot the pie in the oven while watching the show - I burned it! They all said they really enjoyed it, but I was just so sorry about it! I still have loads to learn there.”

Filling the void left behind by The Great British Bake Off, the show brought ten passionate home cooks from across the country together. As they continue to compete for the crown, the contestants have left their homes to live under the same roof during the competition.

From pies this week, the cooks’ challenge tested the contestants’ inventiveness and creativity with a key ingredient - plums.

Glasgow Times:
BBC/KEO/Guy Levy

They were given just one hour to win over the trio of judges and avoid the elimination round. Sadly, Josie ended up in the bottom with Dipa after leaving the judges with a sour taste in their mouths.

When her pasta-making skills fell short, it was hometime for the Scots lass.

“I was quite proud of myself. I got eliminated, but I made sure I did my best,” she says triumphantly.

“I’ve taken a lot of things away from the show. I’ve improved my skills as a home cook. I now know how to make pasta and even invested in a pasta machine. My pastry’s getting better but, above all, I’ve taken friendship away. I’m definitely keeping in touch with them all.”

READ MORE: Meet the Dennistoun girl flying the flag for Scotland on BBC’s new cooking series 

What was life like for the lot off-camera? “There were so many funny moments. We would all cheer each other on and me and Philip used to shimmy to the car in the morning. It kept up our positivity early on before the challenge. The cooks have all got a great sense of humour.”

Considering there were so many of them living under one roof at the start, unsurprisingly, there was no dull moment. “We felt like we’d known each other a long time. We had just met but quickly started talking about our loved ones and what we all cooked for them all. We just all love cooking for our family.”

The judges could be very critical - were they always like that off-cam too? “They were really, really nice and were always very encouraging and keeping us on track. In the pasta challenge, Dan [Doherty] came up and was checking if all was right. Things like that give you courage. It makes you feel like you’re doing the right thing and keeps you going.”

The pasta-making challenge was nerve-racking enough to watch - what was it like for Josie? “I kept calm and collected but, actually, I was crumbling inside. When given a challenge, I don’t follow a recipe so, when asked to make something, I’m so methodical. I did that. It was nervous but I made sure I ticked all the boxes.”

It’s seems like there’s still some work to be done when it comes to plum, pastry and pasta - has Josie come a connoisseur? “Not so much when it comes to plums,” she laughs. “You could see it in my salad this week but not in anything else!”

Glasgow Times:
BBC/KEO/Guy Levy

Last week saw Josie put together a spectacular “exploding fish” dish in a seafood challenge. With much excitement surrounding it, the judges cut into it only to find it was raw as Josie couldn’t get the oven on.

“It’s one of those things,” she explains. “It was like a printer that doesn’t work in the office. You think you’re under control, but it takes just one thing that throws you.

“At the same time, I was really proud of it. Glasgow’s a place that accepts all cultures and I put all my cultural roots on the table in a way that whole of the UK would have liked.”

READ MORE: Meet the Dennistoun girl flying the flag for Scotland on BBC’s new cooking series 

How has being thrust into the limelight been for Josie? “I’ve been recognised in the gym and my local restaurant,” she laughs nervously. “It’s nice and overwhelming, but I’m still that wee Josie who hides in the corner. Everyone’s been saying, ‘Well done’, and they’ve enjoyed it.

“I’ve been proud to represent Glasgow and help put it on the map. The way I bonded with the other contestants and that sense of friendliness, I brought all that from Glasgow.”

Josie, a client wealth executive at a City Centre bank, said her colleagues all wanted to head along to the local pub to watch it every week, but shy and coy Josie “just wanted to tone it down.”

Her plans just now will see her head back to a high-pressured job, but Josie insists she still wants to carry on improving as a home cook.

In some parting advice to others out there who are considering throwing their hat into the ring for the next series, Josie says: “Be yourself and have faith in yourself. It came across that I didn’t believe while others did, so just go for it.”

Who does Josie think will take the crown? “They’re all my friends, but I would really love Katie or Dipa to win. For me, they’re home home cooks they cook for family and loved ones. If your mum was Katie, you’d be the luckiest child in the world.

“Honestly, though, I’d be happy for any of them to win. They all deserve it.”

The search for Britain’s Best Home Cook continues on Thursday, May 24 at 8pm on BBC One. Britain’s Best Home Cook - with recipes by Jordan Bourke published by BBC Books - is priced at £25. It includes all the very best recipes from the programme plus additional recipes inspired by the show.