Saturday Kitchen host Matt Tebbutt was left “touched” and “speechless” after wine expert Helen McGinn brought the show to a standstill with her heartfelt praise for the beloved TV chef.
Matt was in the running for a significant food and drink accolade, prompting Helen to seize the moment to share some uplifting news with the BBC presenter and the audience at home.
Early into the programme, Helen cut in to announce that Matt had clinched a prestigious award, placing him at the pinnacle alongside some of the culinary world’s finest chefs.
Since he couldn’t be there to accept his prize, the sommelier represented him at the event and proudly collected the award on his behalf.
Helen revealed: “Unfortunately you were working on Thursday so you had to miss out on one of your favourite nights of the year, but I stood in for you and believe me I gave it a really good go.”
The TV chef quipped in response: “You sent me a message at like 2am in the morning.” To which Helen playfully shushed him, eliciting laughter from everyone on set, reports the Express.
Continuing with the announcement, she disclosed: “As our viewers know, you were nominated for the Fortnum and Mason Food and Drink Awards for the Food Personality Of The Year.
“It was a public vote and you were up against some really big names, the biggest names in the world of food, including Rick Stein, Nadyia [Hussain], Jamie Oliver, Dame Mary Berry and our wonderful viewers, they voted en masse and… You won, congratulations.”
The wine expert then put the bashful host on the spot, requesting: “Now obviously you weren’t there to make an acceptance speech on the night, so over to you. Is there anything you would like to say?”
Matt, clearly caught off guard, responded: “Do I have to stand up?” Helen, appearing to relish the moment, fired back: “Yes you do, I know you’ll enjoy this.” She explained to other guests on the show: “He’s not very good at taking compliments so he’ll be hating this.”
The Saturday Kitchen presenter admitted: “I don’t like doing things like this, I’m only good with autocue.”
He continued: “Well listen, thank you very much, this is obviously a huge honour, it’s a lovely thing to have and thank you for all of you guys who voted for me, I am really touched and I don’t know what else to say so thank you.”
With a beam, he addressed the audience: “Strangely, I don’t actually like being the centre of attention but that is wonderful, so thank you very much.”
Helen gave Matt another round of applause, saying: “Aww well done.”
Saturday Kitchen airs every Saturday on BBC One, from 10am.
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