Masterchef champion Tzortzoglou's debut cookbook bagged by Headline

Headline Home has bagged the “stunning” debut cookbook from 2019 Masterchef champion Irini Tzortzoglou.

Publishing director Lindsey Evans contacted Tzortzoglou the day after her televised win, acquiring world rights from Borra Garson at Deborah McKenna Ltd after an exclusive look at the material. Under the Olive Tree: Recipes from my Greek Kitchen will be published on 9th July 2020 with full colour photography by David Loftus.

The synopsis explains: “Under the Olive Tree is a stunning and user-friendly collection of Greek family recipes, including accessible, everyday dishes for the home cook, as well as an entertaining section full of Irini’s tips and tricks for when you have a little more time or want to impress. With over 80 recipes, from breakfasts to quick dinners via salads full of sunshine, and on to feasting for Christmas, Easter and dinner parties, this is Irini’s celebration of Greece.”

Recipes include feta, black olive, thyme and manouri cheese pies; star anise cured salmon with a pickled cucumber salad and ouzo yogurt emulsion; pan-fried sea bass on a herbed tomato sauce with minted courgettes, black olive tapenade and crispy shallots and a quick plum jam spiced tart.

Evans said: “Anyone who watched Irini cook her way through this year’s Masterchef will know that she has a love for life and food which is totally infectious. I became a fan early on, was rooting for her all the way through the series and am, therefore, absolutely delighted to have signed her up. Not only is Irini a fabulous cook, but she is a great teacher who cannot wait to show readers the recipes of her beloved homeland in Under the Olive Tree.”

Tzortzoglou added: “Winning MasterChef was a dream come true for me this year, so to have another platform to celebrate Greek food is a huge privilege and blessing. In my first cookbook, I will pay homage to my birthplace and heritage through the food of my homeland. The recipes represent me both as a cook and diner in that I love the food I grew up with, but I also get very excited about mixing classic flavour combinations with my own personal touches. In this way, I hope that I can showcase the wonders of Greek food in a way that people may not have experienced before.”