Big Zuu's Big Eats

Judi Love has asked Zuu to prepare her a slap-up meal for after her appearance on Loose Women. Judi is the queen of seafood and so Zuu digs deep to bring her the ultimate sea-food boil...

Comedian and presenter Judi Love has asked Zuu to prepare her a slap-up meal for after her appearance on ITV's Loose Women. Judi is the queen of seafood and so Zuu digs deep to bring her the ultimate sea-food boil, complete with a whole lobster, scallops and crab butter.

But as semi-finalist on Celebrity Masterchef, Judi knows her food - so Zuu is going to have his work cut out impressing this food connoisseur.

Q&A with Judi Love

Why did you sign up to do this show?

I love the show, I think it's great. Zuu's multi-talented, and I'm up for tasting good food.

What did you know about Big Zuu before this?

I knew he was a grime artist, and I've seen a few things on YouTube and I thought he was brilliant so I thought, "Yes, I definitely would be up for that."

How would you describe your approach to food?

Well, food tells a story, doesn't it? It's about love, it's about sharing. It's about identity as well. So that's really nice. That's what's great about it. You can tell so much about a person from their food.

What was the food like when you were little?

I've always loved eating! It's a part of my culture. I grew up eating West Indian food. Good, home-made food. It wasn't about takeaway, it was about cooking it. If it was takeaway that you fancied, then you'd better learn how to make takeaway.

What age were you when you learned to cook?

I'd say maybe about 14 or so. I was the youngest of five.

What's the competition like around the dinner table when you've got four brothers and sisters?

It's not too bad, because I was the youngest. My mum was always cooking. She was a great cook, a fabulous cook.

When you eat now, does it give you memories of your mum and your family?

I think food is able to bring back that nostalgia. I can taste a food, and it takes me back to a certain day or a certain time. I've got a beautiful picture in my mind of my mum in the kitchen. When I invite someone over and cook for them, it's about showing them how much I care about them.

Do you think she'd be impressed by your cooking these days?

I hope so, yes!

Tell us about your MasterChef experience.

It was absolutely terrifying! You just cannot believe you're there. I'd watched it for so long on telly, so seeing myself there was unbelievable. It's surprising how much you get so inspired and so hungry to win as the days go along.

Have you kept it up ever since?

I've been cooking a lot more, definitely. A lot more experimenting, making things that I wouldn't have made before, and just really enjoying it. I love rushing home to cook something fresh from scratch for my kids.

What do your kids make of your cooking?

They love it. My daughter, she's very much off meat. They want me to cook stuff that I've made up, more than just West Indian food. They like a bit of British and a bit of West Indian.

Apart from being off the meat, are they fussy in any other ways?

Oh, I think my kids are brilliant! I've turned them on to seafood, lobster and prawns. They like the stuff I like, without a doubt. I cook a lot, because sometimes I'll cook six o'clock, seven o'clock in the morning, if I know I'm going to be out all day. As a single parent, I want them to feel like they've got those things. So I definitely like to cook for them.

How are you enjoying being on Loose Women?

They're fantastic! They're lovely ladies. All different personalities, and they're lovely. We can't socialise much because of lockdown, so everyone's doing different things. But we chat outside, we check up on each other and make sure everyone's all right. That's what's lovely about it.

Who would be the last one dancing on the table?

It's really hard to say, actually. It's probably going to be me, Linda, Nadia or Kate. They're a good bunch.

You were part of Loose Women's first all-black panel. How proud a moment was that?

It was a very emotional moment. It's so rare that you don't realise how much. It's exciting and happy, and it's great to be making history. And then all the other feelings come, which is like, "Wow, I didn't even know I was holding on to that." Incredible.

Was everybody around you very proud as well?

Absolutely. They were just happy, just wanting to continue in all different forms of diversity.

Do you feel like the industry is making progress, finally?

I feel like yes, there is progress being made. It's just about keeping it continuous and not just for the short period. That is a question that needs to be answered in a year's time when things seemed to have died down.

Having got into entertainment all a little bit late, do you think that makes any difference to how you react to it all?

I'm happy it's happened at this stage because I'm more grounded. I think I've got more experience, more things that I want to talk about, more things that I can relate with people about. It depends on the individual, whether you're in it for the fame, legacy, or the glitz and glamour. Entertainment is not just glitz and glamour, it's very hard work. So for me, it's about always living my life with purpose and doing things which I think are purposeful. That's the most important thing to me.

What about future ambition: what have you got up your sleeve?

I would definitely like to do some acting, movies, more presenting, and do my one-woman tour as well. I can't wait for the theatres to reopen! I miss it so much.

What would be a dream role for you?

I would love to play comedy parts like Melissa McCarthy. I'd love to play someone that somehow ended up having to be an undercover cop, something like that.

What's your favourite meal?

Fried chicken, curried goat, lobster, and chocolate eclairs. And maybe a salad to make things a bit healthier.

What would you have to drink with that?

Probably a prosecco with elderflower syrup. Or really nice, cold fresh coconut water straight from the shell.

What's your guilty pleasure?

Oh, chocolate eclairs! And I do love chicken wings.