Winner.. at lasterchef

Tom crowned cooking champ after show final is delayed by five days

TOM Rhodes has been named Masterchef 2021 champion, with judges calling him a “phenomenal talent”.

The 31-year-old from Manchester beat rivals Alexina Anatole, 30, and Mike Tomkins, 27, after the show’s final was delayed by five days due to the death of Prince Phillip.

Tom called it a “dream come true”, adding: “I’m grateful that I met, got to know and cook alongside some of the most wonderful and talented people, and have found friends for life in them.

This is just the start. I’m excited for what comes next.”

Judge John Torode said: “Tom walked into this kitchen and surprised us. He has defined himself a style all of his own and it’s fantastic. His food is delicious and it looks beautiful.” Fellow judge Gregg Wallace PRIZE GUY Tom with trophy said: “I love this fella. He’s delivered some of the most elegant dishes I’ve seen in this competition for a long while. He is a phenomenal talent, the sky’s the limit for him.”

Viewers saw Tom cook a five-course lunch at the resplendent Plaisterers’ Hall in the City of London as well as cook at the famous Le Gavroche restaurant, working with the twostar Michelin chef Michel Roux Jr. Michel’s daughter Emily Roux described the his food as “an impressive dish for an amateur cook”. Tom’s winning menu consisted of a trio of oysters, a reverse seared rib-eye steak, topped with kombu pickled beetroot, baked beetroot cooked in beef fat, wasabi buttermilk and a watercress puree served with sake and bone marrow sauce followed by a lemon tart.

Gregg described it “as a work of absolute genius” and John called it “flawless”.

Tom, who has loved cooking since he was four, added: “When I was younger, I watched a lot of Nigella Lawson and Nigel Slater.

“I’ve met Nigella and have a signed copy of How to Eat. I would love to write a cookbook and have a cookery school.”