It was a tense finale in the MasterChef kitchen on Friday night as the final three faced a cook-off in front of judges John Torode and Anna Haugh.
Copywriter Claire Syrenne, post-production worker Sophie Sugrue and fishmonger Harry Maguire were tasked with bringing together all the skills they had learned in the competition in a three-course meal.
But ultimately, it was Harry, 32, who took home the title of MasterChef champion, and secured his spot among the 20 amateur cooks who have previously been crowned.
An emotional Harry reacted: ‘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.
Fishmonger Harry Maguire was crowned winner of MasterChef during Friday night’s finale (pictured with finalists, post-production worker Sophie Sugru and copywriter Claire Syrenne)
An emotional Harry reacted: ‘Champion isn’t something I’ve ever called myself before. I can start celebrating now!’
He said: ‘This is one of the happiest days. It’s been incredible. I really cherish the memories’
‘The whole experience has been surreal and completely exhilarating but I’ve loved every minute of it.
‘The standard was so high that I had to bring my A-game every time.
‘Even making it to the final was beyond my wildest dreams and MasterChef has redefined the way I approach cooking.’
While MasterChef judge John, 60, added: ‘Harry stepped up – the determination, the skill, the style, three courses of absolute magic.
‘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.’
Anna, 44, agreed: ‘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.’
Before his win, Harry took an eye-opening trip to Athens to explore the rich and exciting food culture of Greece as part of the trio of chef’s final task.
‘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’
Harry and the two runner-up chefs were tasked with making a three-course meal
Harry’s meal wowed the judges who both described his menu as ‘magic’
Following his triumphant his fellow contestants congratulated him
Three challenges saw him work alongside one of Greece’s best-loved TV chefs, Argiro Barbarigou, in one of the finest restaurants in Athens.
He then took on one of the tasting courses at Michelin-starred restaurant Patio, run by chef Panagiotis Giakalis.
His last chance to shine in Athens was at the stunning Akti restaurant at Vouliagmeni Bay, where he and his fellow finalists delivered a sea-front dinner to some of the country’s leading chefs.
Harry finally faced the daunting Chef’s Table, held at the exclusive Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester in Mayfair, London, working under Alain’s Executive Chef of 20 years, Jean-Philippe Blondet.
Having until recently never entered a professional kitchen, Harry was tasked with preparing one of the restaurant’s celebrated dishes.
The diners included Alain himself, who holds a staggering 21 Michelin stars to his name, along with four of his protégés: Tom Kitchin, Clare Smyth MBE, Claude Bosi, and Alex Dilling.
Alain reacted to Harry’s kombu seaweed, citrus and olive oil dessert with: ‘I like it. I love it!’, while Tom said: ‘This is one of the best desserts I’ve ever had.’
Harry was tasked with preparing a dish at the exclusive Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester in Mayfair, London, working under Alain’s Executive Chef of 20 years, Jean-Philippe Blondet
It was Harry’s main course in the final that saw John Torode gush over his cooking ability
John said of the fishmonger’s main course: ‘I’d eat the whole thing. I’d pay for it. I’d be very excited. It’s a great, great dish’
While judge Anna remarked: ‘I have chefs in my kitchen and I would be shocked if some of them would be able to do this.’
Harry’s menu, named Past, Present and Future, also included a modern take on a prawn cocktail, served with dill mouse, salmon roe and avocado cream.
His main featured a poached brill, a courgette and potato croissant and a braised fennel and burnt leek sauce.
John said of the fishmonger’s main course: ‘I’d eat the whole thing. I’d pay for it. I’d be very excited. It’s a great, great dish.’
After the tasting, John told Harry: ‘All you’ve ever done is strive for perfection. I don’t know what’s going on in that heart and head of yours right now, but you’re obviously here to prove something to yourself, and whatever that is, you’ve done it.’
Harry said: ‘I didn’t know had it in me and I’m so happy I did, because I feel really proud of myself, very overwhelmed.
‘I’ve been holding in a lot of emotion over the last few weeks, and it all came pouring out. I feel really content and I’m trying to stay present, because it’ll all be over too quickly.’
Harry was born in London but grew up in Edinburgh and then spent four years at university in Newcastle.
MasterChef judge John, 60, recorded the show before he was axed from the BBC cooking show in mid July for allegedly using ‘extremely offensive racist language in 2018’, something he claims he has ‘no recollection’ of
He now lives in London with his girlfriend of seven years, Katie, who Harry described in the episode as his ‘absolute rock through thick and thin’, and works at a fishmonger.
MasterChef judge John, 60, recorded the show before he was axed from the BBC cooking show in mid July for allegedly using ‘extremely offensive racist language in 2018’, something he claims he has ‘no recollection’ of.
The presenter’s co-host Greg Wallace, 60, was also sacked following numerous complaints of his appropriate sexual comments and behaviour.
MasterChef has since announced new stars to take over presenting roles in both the professional and amateur cooking series.
Grace Dent – who previously stepped in to host the celebrity spin-off series with John – will return as a permanent judge.
The food critic will be joined by Irish-born chef Anna Haugh, who replaced Gregg in the last episodes after allegations against him first came to light.
MasterChef Series 21 is available to catch up on iPlayer.
