2 months ago
25 
MasterChef has crowned a winner of its scandal-hit 21st series of the BBC show, with fishmonger Harry Maguire taking home the 2025 trophy.
The 32-year-old won the amateur cooking show, beating out competition from copywriter Claire Syrenne, 47, and Sophie Sugrue, 26, who works in post-production, in a dramatic final cook-off.
After eight weeks of cooking challenges, Maguire got his hands on the ‘M-plated’ trophy, describing the moment as one of his ‘happiest days’.
He said: ‘Champion isn’t something I’ve ever called myself before. I can start celebrating now. This is one of the happiest days. It’s been incredible. I really cherish the memories.
‘You can’t put into words what we’ve had the opportunity to do, and to top it off with the trophy is everything I ever dreamed of.’
The conclusion of the series was presided over by John Torode and Anna Haugh as judges, after Gregg Wallace was removed from filming last winter when misconduct allegations against him first emerged.
Since then, both Torode and Wallace were sacked after a review into behaviour at the programme upheld complaints against both presenters.
In what will be his final episode on the show, Torode said of victorious Maguire: ‘Throughout the competition, Harry’s been determined. He has strived for perfection and his food will stay with me for a very, very long time.’
Meanwhile, Anna Haugh – who has been confirmed as one of the permanent MasterChef judges alongside Grace Dent – said of this year’s winner: ‘There are restaurants across the country trying to do food like that and not succeeding.
‘For an amateur cook, I’ve never seen anything like that. Harry today cooked food that no amateur should be able to do. That’s a magical gift, and Harry has it.’
MasterChef viewers applauded the finale, with many pointing to Maguire’s win as clear evidence of why it was the right move from the BBC to broadcast the series, after a period of uncertainty over whether it would go ahead this summer.
Taking to X, RealGeoffBarton wrote: ‘Thought that was a terrific MasterChef final (and I’ve watched them all since the show started): precise, heartfelt cooking. Well done to all.’
NikolaDreams echoed: ‘Masterchef is all about the contestants, not the presenters. Tonight demonstrates why it is so important the series was broadcast and not cancelled.’
‘Congratulations Harry, fully deserved,’ wrote ValPigott. ‘Possibly the best winner of the last few years. Well done to Claire and Sophie too.’
Friday’s finale saw the remaining three contestants put their skills to the test and deliver a three-course meal in a final bid to win the MasterChef title.
Maguire’s winning meal, titled Past, Present and Future, featured a modern take on prawn cocktail, followed by a poached brill wrapped in courgette and topped with potato croissant and sauce vierge, served with braised fennel and a burnt leek sauce.
The meal was completed with an apple and cinnamon jelly which was encased in an apple and white chocolate mousse with a white chocolate cocoa butter mirror glaze, served on an almond shortbread biscuit.
Maguire, who was born in London but grew up in Edinburgh, started cooking in his late teens and was inspired by his brother Dan, who runs his own catering company.
His passion picked up during Covid where he began to experiment and elevate his technique in the kitchen after taking on cooking challenges with former flatmates.
MasterChef is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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