Canberra insurance broker Ali King came oh-so-close to being the ACT's first winner of a reality TV show after going down to Ballarat's "no-nonsense mum" Kate Ferguson in the grand final of Zumbo's Just Desserts on Tuesday night.
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But 29-year-old Ali more than did the national capital proud, the most consistent performer on the show, coming up with some beautiful and technically difficult desserts during the season.
"It was obviously disappointing getting that close, but it was fine," she said.
"I was so proud of what I'd done and how my desserts had turned out over the whole show."
She definitely fired up in the kitchen but her perfectionism and attention to detail sometimes brought her undone.
"When it comes to desserts, I get competitive," she said. "There's two Ali's in the kitchen – one is cool, calm and collected; the other can get frustrated, which can lead to tears."
Ali had been the one to beat throughout the season - something she is more than aware of. Her grand final performance was almost seamless, with the ultimate decision coming down to taste and a one-point difference.
"I was so consistent the whole time and happy with everything I made," Ali said.
"It is disappointing [for the final decision] you only get judged on one cook and only get one chance and nothing else seems to come into consideration."
Watching Ali from the sidelines were surprise guests, parents Heather and Brian King, of Wanniassa; best friend Emilie Rohan and work colleague Fiona Eccles from Capital Insurance Brokes in Deakin.
"A lot of people have asked if it made me feel more nervous having them there, but I was so anxious that having them there really calmed me down," she said.
Ali has known the outcome of the show for months but had to keep it a secret. She gathered friends, family and colleagues to the Double Shot cafe in Deakin and brought in a TV to watch the grand final on Tuesday night.
"I think I felt more sad feeling like I'd disappoint everyone more than anything," she said.
But, in truth, she shone for herself, her family, friends and her city.
"I hope so," she said.
Winner Kate, a 37-year-old mother-of-two and government claims processor from Ballarat, won $100,000 in prizemoney and the opportunity to have one of her desserts in judge Adriano Zumbo's stores.
Ali has already said she intends to use the exposure on the show to move more into making desserts a career, including creating some dessert degustation menus and hosting pop-up dessert bars. She's also re-branding her cooking-from-home dessert business.
"I'm going to embrace it," she said.
We wish her all the best – and can't wait to try her desserts in her hometown.
