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. -- Harry Maguire
Fishmonger Harry Maguire was awarded the coveted title of MasterChef Champion 2025, tonight on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. He becomes the 21st amateur cook to rise to the top of TV's biggest culinary competition, which uncovers outstanding talent emerging from home kitchens across the country, and celebrates the food that brings us together.
Joining over two decades of champions and making MasterChef history, 31-year-old Harry (now 32) added his name to the prestigious list with - Thomasina Miers, Peter Bayless, James Nathan, Mat Follas, Dhruv Baker, Tim Anderson, Shelina Permalloo, Saliha Mahmood Ahmed, Kenny Tutt, Irini Tzortzoglou, Thomas Frake, Tom Rhodes, Eddie Scott, Chariya Khattiyot and last year's champion, Brin Pirathapan.
At the end of eight weeks of exciting and increasingly demanding MasterChef challenges, Harry's culinary efforts culminated in an intense final cook-off against two exceptional runners-up, 46-year-old copywriter Claire Syrenne (now 47) and Sophie Sugrue, 25 (now 26), who works in post-production.
An emotional Harry reacted to the win with: "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."
In tonight's episode, MasterChef judge, John Torode: "Harry stepped up today - 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."
MasterChef judge, Anna Haugh, added: "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."
In a gripping and exhilarating final week, Harry embarked on an eye-opening trip to Athens, to experience rich and exciting food culture of Greece, thousands of years in the making. He embraced the unique opportunity to expand his culinary horizons across three challenges - firstly, at the beautiful Margi Farm, which supplies produce to some of the finest restaurants in Athens, working under one of the country's best-loved TV chefs and restaurateurs, Argiro Barbarigou. Then Harry took on one of the tasting courses at Michelin-starred restaurant Patio, run by Executive Chef Panagiotis Giakalis. His final 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. Through to the Final Three, Harry 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 epitome of modern French haute cuisine. 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; all have amassed their own collection of Michelin stars. Alain reacted to Harry's kombu seaweed, citrus and olive oil dessert with: "I like it. I love it!"; while Tom Kitchin said: "This is incredible. This is one of the best desserts I've ever had."