MASTERCHEF has declared a “worthy” winner as the show celebrated its 20th anniversary on air.
Following a nail-biting final between the three remaining amateur chefs, it was up to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace to crown their 2024 MasterChef champion.
After a tense final, Bristol man Brin Pirathapan was crowned the champion.
The winning chef was left over the moon as he insisted he “couldn’t breathe” as he was told he had won MasterChef 2024.
Speaking after his big win, an elated Brin said: “I’m absolutely chuffed to bits. I can’t breathe.
“I’m a big mix of my background, my culture and all the opportunities my parents have given me.
“They’ve been incredible and I’ve done it for them as much as I’ve done it for myself.
“The experience itself has been incredible and to top it off with this is just the most amazing thing, ever.”
On what’s next for him after winning MasterChef, Brin said: “I’d love to have a future in the food industry.
“Waking up every morning knowing that I’m doing something I absolutely love would be a great feeling.
“It would be incredible to write a cookbook and, explore supper clubs or private dining. Longer term, I’d love food to take me all over the world.
He added: “MasterChef has already given me an opportunity to cook for some of my absolute heroes.
“I’d love to do another Chef’s Table for some more of the greats and see what they really think of my food!
“I feel like I’ve got so much more to learn and this is hopefully just the beginning.”
MasterChef fans were also impressed with the outcome, with one tweeting: “Yup, correct choice – fantastic chef.”
Another added: “Well done Brin well deserved winner.”
Someone else penned: “Get in Brin! 100% the right winner! What a chef!”
Before a MasterChef winner could be crowned, the final Three took on the most high-pressured challenge of the competition.
This saw them cooking the best three-course meal of their lives to prove to John Torode and Gregg Wallace that their culinary skill to earn them the MasterChef title.
Brin’s winning menu started with fried capers, pickled chilli, pickled and charred shallots, orange and honey-glazed octopus with tempura mussels, herb tuilles dusted with scallop roe, an orange gel and samphire, on a romesco sauce.
Gregg told Brin: “It’s delightful. This is a beautiful piece of work,” and John added: “Your mind and how it works, I’m not quite sure. But I’d eat the whole plate. I’d eat three plates.”
These are ingredient combinations that Brin is inventing. That makes him dangerously clever. He’s got technique, he’s got creativity.”
Gregg Wallace
The main course was spiced venison loin, beef short-rib and pickled mushroom tartlet, celeriac and miso purée, salt-baked beetroot and pak choi.
It was served with a gochujang and red wine sauce split with a herb oil.
John reacted with: “You eat it and your palate comes alive… …it’s a huge amount of work and it tastes delicious.
Brin finished his menu with a dessert of white chocolate and cardamom and saffron cremeux, with pistachio meringue shards, whisky-poached mango, raspberry gel, pistachio crumb and a mango, lime and chili sorbet.
Gregg commented: “My friend, the warmest congratulations on an absolutely knock-out of a dessert.
Before he added: “I so admire your courage. You are such a brave cook. Don’t ever change.”
Brin won the contest after going up against farmer Louise Lyons Macleod from Exmoor National Park and circus performer Chris Willoughby from Oxfordshire.
Chris first first appeared on MasterChef in 2023 and managed to make it all the way to the quarter final.
However, he got a second shot and this time made it to the final three.
Brin is an extraordinary cook and an amazing talent. He takes combinations that don’t sound like they belong together, but they actually work.
John Torode
Louise also had a special reason to be on the show.
Explaining this to the BBC, she said: “For at least 15 years my friends and family have been badgering me to apply for MasterChef.
“The reason I applied this year was that I had just had my five year cancer-versary.”
The MasterChef judges were left bursting with pride, with John Torode declaring: “Twenty years we’ve been doing MasterChef. That is the best final we’ve ever done.”
The Aussie chef went on: “Brin is an extraordinary cook and an amazing talent.
“He takes combinations that don’t sound like they belong together, but they actually work.
“Today, he’s delivered three absolutely sensational courses that could grace the table of any restaurant up and down the land.”
Fellow judge Gregg Wallace echoed this, and said: “These are ingredient combinations that Brin is inventing.
“That makes him dangerously clever. He’s got technique, he’s got creativity.
“In my experience, Brin is unique. One of the cleverest talents I’ve ever, ever seen.”
There is no cash prize for the winner, but the champion gets to take home the coveted MasterChef trophy.
The prize is really the honour of scooping the title.
Over the years past MasterChef winners have gone on to write critically acclaimed cookbooks and open their own restaurants.
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