A SENIOR secretary in Glan Clwyd Hospital’s cardiology department has proved to be a knockout amateur chef!
Linda Zouggari, a mum of five, made it through the quarter-finals of BBC's MasterChef.
She impressed the judging panel made up of pervious MasterChef winners with her octopus dish followed by a butterscotch and fig pudding.
Linda, from Prestatyn, described the expeirence as she waited for the verdict on her food as the most frightening in her life.
But she added that it was also "exciting and fun".
Presenters John Torode and Gregg Wallace gave positive comments about both her dishes.
But now the heat will be turned up as "knockout week" starts this evening (Monday).
Linda, who recently recovered from breast cancer, started with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) 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, who is an avid watcher of the cookery competition, revealed it was her daughter who pushed her into applying for the competition.
She said: “I always watch and love MasterChef. 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 cuisines.
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