Mayo woman wins RTÉ Today’s TV Home Cook competition

MAYO'S Dee Freney has been crowned RTÉ Today’s TV Home Cook 2026.

In March, the Today show, presented by Dáithí Ó Sé, Maura Derrane and Sinead Kennedy, began their hunt for non-professional home cooks from across the country who have a flair for food and a passion for chatting to take part in a brand-new cooking competition. Eight amateur cooks from Cork, Dublin, Galway and Mayo were shortlisted for the competition and all cooked in the Today show kitchen.

Yesterday, Dee and runner-up Margaret Leahy cooked for the final time on the show. Margaret made an elderflower and rhubarb cheesecake and Dee made a gluten free lemon polenta cake.

Chef Trisha Lewis has been a mentor to all eight finalists in the competition. She was in studio as the winner was announced.

Dee was presented with the winner’s apron live on the show. She also won a hotel stay and a host of new kitchen appliances.