Today’s TV Home Cook is a nationwide search to find Ireland’s next standout home cook.
Eight contestants from across the country have been selected and mentored by Trisha Lewis as they take on a series of cooking challenges in a professional TV kitchen for the very first time.
There are no judges — the competition is decided entirely by the public.
The cooks begin with a pre-recorded signature dish, followed by interviews where viewers get to know their stories and cooking style. As the competition progresses, they move into live semi-final cook-offs, before two finalists face off in a live grand final.
Each stage brings them closer to the title of Today’s TV Home Cook 2026 — but only your vote decides who stays in the competition.
RTÉ competition & voting standard terms & conditions apply
You can watch all the videos from Today’s TV Home Cook Competition on the RTÉ Players YouTube channel here.
Please scroll to the end of the page to register your votes. Voting opens at 5pm on 25th May 2026 and closes at 10am on May 26th 2026
TV HOME COOK – VOTING PROFILES
1. Margaret Leahy – Connemara
Margaret is a Connemara-based tour operator and passionate farm-to-table cook.
She uses seasonal Irish produce from her garden and local suppliers, focusing on simple dishes that let ingredients shine.
Her cooking celebrates Irish food, seasonality and tradition.
First Cook: Dillisk Scones with Wild Garlic Pesto
Style: Seasonal, Irish, farm-to-table
Second Dish: Irish Fish Pie with Nettle Champ & Foraged Leaf Salad
Final Dish: Elderflower Raspberry Cheesecake
2. Dee Freney – Mayo
Dee is an adult educator from Mayo who specialises in creative gluten-free home cooking.
Kind, caring and fun, she cooks to make sure everyone at her table feels included. Her food is comforting, thoughtful and full of flavour.
Her gluten-free Sunday roast and baking are family favourites.
First Cook: Chocolate Brownies with Raspberry Coulis
Style: Gluten-free, comforting, inclusive
Second Dish: Hot Honey-Glazed Salmon
Final Dish: Gluten-Free Lemon Polenta Cake
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