Q&A with the home cook who won Recipe to Riches and took home $250,000

Last night, as thousands of Canadians looked on from their living rooms, Recipe to Riches came full circle when Glo McNeill, winner of episode one’s sweet puddings and pies challenge, took home the $250,000 prize. The vivacious grandma from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, impressed the country with her Luscious Lemon Pudding Cakes, beating out John Grass and his Chicken Grenades in the final elimination round. The cakes weren’t the office favourite, but we have to respect such a simple recipe trouncing the competition. We caught up with her just after the taping to discuss her toughest rivals, web presence and what she plans to do with all that cash. Read our Q&A with the one and only G-Lo from Lunenberg, after the jump.
You said in the finale that you didn’t expect to win. Was that just modesty?
I’ve been following this online, and I’ve been looking at people raving about the kulfi ice cream. I really thought it was going to come down to Rosy and me. I thought she had a huge support network and her product was extraordinarily well received. I mean, some of the comments about it were just lyrical. Now, I took a couple of mouthfuls and I didn’t care for it at all, but that’s a personal palate.
Do you know how well your product is selling?
We could only go on hearsay, word of mouth. I know they were sold out along the south shore, which is where I live, because people kept phoning me up and asking, “When are you going to make some more?” But I had no no way of knowing besides what I read on my Tweetdeck or on Facebook.
Were you active on social networking before the competition?
I got my first computer in 1986. I played Scrabble on ISC [Internet Scrabble Club] for many, many years. So computers are nothing new to me—mind you, I’m sort of an idiot savant because I don’t know how they work—but when I found out it was going to be cyber-voting, I took it very seriously.
So do you think your personality contributed to your success? Being a somewhat tech-savvy, eloquent old lady…
Compared to a gorgeous 22-year-old with incredible tattoos and hair down to her behind? Or compared to a six-foot, four-inch ex-football champion? We all had our charms, or else we wouldn’t be up there as finalists.
So what are you going to do with all that money?
First we’re going to have a good Christmas, a damn good Christmas. Second we’re going to get the builder in to look at our 140-year-old house and fix all the little niggly things that have been worrying us. We haven’t had a holiday in a long, long time. We’re going to be able to go to the dentist without thinking we can’t afford it. So, really and truly, we won’t have to look over our shoulders for a long, long time.
What have you used your $25,000 for?
We put away enough to cover our mortgage payments for the next year, which is huge. Visa took a lot, you know. And the rest is just going on basic living. It couldn’t have happened at a better time, because we were really at a stage where we were thinking we were gonna have to talk with the children to see if they could help us, which is a horrendous thing to have to do.
Do you have any other genius recipes to share?
I’ve written a family cookbook and I think they’re all genius recipes. You’ve probably not seen the Facebook page, G-Lo from Lunenburg? Well, I’ve been doing quotes from the family recipe book, which is used on most Canadian coast guard ships because of Drew. [McNeill’s son is a senior captain.]
We’ve been wondering: why is your cartoon likeness painting on the box art?
I used to make my living teaching art. And since this show has happened, a new gallery has picked up on my paintings. So, after not painting seriously for 40 years, I’m back in business. I was in the 1967 centennial exhibition of Canadian women painters. My best years were pre-1974.
How do you think the product is going to do going forward?
I think it’s going to be the sort of thing that’s totally ageless. I’ve worked on a gluten-free version as a result of comments I’ve read about how excited people were about a gluten-free cookie. So I experimented with flours and I was just mentioning it to Galen Weston, and he said, “Let’s talk about it.” So there may well be a gluten-free version. I think it’s going to be around a long time.
Always with your name attached to it?
Irrelevant. I don’t mind. I’ve had my moment. How much excitement does an 82-year-old want?
Well Done Glo!
I live less than an hour away. I’ll wait till the line to your door lessens before I stop by for an autograph. Congrats!
This woman is awesome. She deserved to win for many reasons. I am so happy for her!! Go Glo Go
How can white cake and a simple lemon filling win. Her recipe was the weakest. I tried them all. Was the voting audited? By who and the list goes on. Sorry Glo your down east grannie routine did not impress. If the Food Network is serious about season 2, things must change or the ratings will sink.
Just as Glo mentioned that the Kulfi ice cream wasn’t her favourite, the lemon pudding may not be yours. It comes down to “personal palate.” Congratulations Glo! It was nice to see all the different products and be part of the decision!
great work Glo! I wasn’t able to try your dessert, but I’m so happy to hear you are looking at a gluten free version :)
This woman seems to be one classy lady. I am very happy that she won and hope she and her dear husband have many happy years together. She is a inspiration to everyone regardless of age.
havn’t tried the product , no point in buying it when the recipe is posted on food network and its so simple to make(iv seen this recipe in many other places prior to this show) congrats to glo good for her, but this show really really doesnt deserve to be on the food network. its bassically a food marketing show. you see what maybe 10 minutes of all 3 dishes being made per show. and i dont see how some of the winners won because come on presidents choice you really couldn’t come up with frosen pulled pork or bacon wrapped chicken. what really p’ed me off about this show was the one were the gluten free cookie won. threw what little of a cooking show it was out the window. oh well im definitly not watching season 2 but its intresting to see new products
OK, I bought the Luscious Lemon Pudding last week thinking it would be absolutely fabulous; but I was shocked at how bland it tasted. Are they kidding? THIS really won $250,000?
I’m not sure how the voting came about, but this is certainly not worthy of First Prize. No offense, but it’s just a very plain, basic dessert and not one I’ll ever purchase again.