Celebrity MasterChef 2024 spoilers follow.
Celebrity MasterChef has revealed its 2024 champion, as one contestant takes the crown.
After six long weeks, tonight’s (September 20) live episode saw radio presenter Craig Doyle, actor Rochenda Sandall and professional dancer Vito Coppola take their place in the gruelling final.
With one last challenge standing between them and the trophy, the celebrities tried to wow the judges with an ultimate dinner party menu. Each contestant had to create a main course and dessert to highlight their skill, creativity, presentation and palate.
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As always, judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace were ready to taste the dishes and offer their critique, before making the all-important decision. “They did not take this final lightly. They absolutely went for it, all three of them,” John said.
The pair praised “master of world cuisine” Rochenda, noting that she puts “so much passion, so much heart” into her dishes. Gregg highlighted Craig’s technique, which he displayed “with elegance and great presentation”.
However, after an extremely close final, it was Vito’s “absolute majesty of proper Italian cookery” that landed him the title of MasterChef Champion 2024.
Related: Celebrity MasterChef star says they’re “totally inspired” after elimination
The judges were presented with six delicious dishes, created by the finalists in just two hours.
Craig served monkfish on a bed of buttered leeks, with crispy mussels; followed by a blood orange panna cotta with lemon curd. “I think this a fantastic demonstration of some serious, classic cookery,” approved Gregg.
Gregg deemed Rochenda’s rump of lamb and fondant potatoes “perfect”. The judges praised her orange polenta cake with pistachio ice cream for its balance of sweet and sharp flavours.
Finally, Vito served a “fantastic” seafood scialatielli pasta. “I don’t have any complaints at all,” John declared. Gregg called his rum baba dessert “perfect, perfect, perfect”, despite its simple presentation.
After lifting the coveted trophy, Vito expressed just how much the competition meant to him. “People think that food is just food. But no, I keep saying food is life,” he said. “It’s the first love of my life – food.”
Celebrity MasterChef airs on BBC One.
Read more MasterChef news on our dedicated homepage
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