He was crowned the winner of MasterChef Australia during filming for the reality cooking show back in May.
But that victory wasn’t even the biggest milestone in Justin Narayan’s life that week, as the 27-year-old youth pastor married his long-term partner Esther Smoothy just days after the taping.
According to Woman’s Day, the reality star exchanged vows with his girlfriend of two years in Perth.
Newlyweds! MasterChef winner Justin Narayan married his girlfriend of two years Esther Smoothy, according to Woman’s Day. The couple pictured here in May
Justin rated the event above his MasterChef win, calling the nuptials ‘the best day of my entire life’.
The ceremony was held on the Swan River in Perth’s Midland and was attended by his fellow MasterChef 2021 alums Pete Campbell, Brent Draper, Minoli De Silva and Amir Manoly.
In an interview with the magazine, Justin revealed the couple wanted kids ‘straight away’ and that with his $250,000 prizemoney from the show he planned to buy a property.
It comes after chef initially said in an interview with News.com he was looking to invest in his cash after he updates his kitchen at home.
Killer view: The ceremony was held on the Swan River in Perth’s Midland and was attended by his fellow MasterChef 2021 alums Pete Campbell, Brent Draper, Minoli De Silva and Amir Manoly
Changing his tune: Narayan previously said he had plans to update his kitchen with his $250,000 winners’ prize money before investing the rest, but now says he will use it to buy the couple a home
‘I need to get some more work done in the kitchen and go from there,’ he explained at the time.
‘I’ll try and make some smart investments, and I’ll start to create some online content. But I need experience in the kitchen to work towards opening up my own place.’
Although he isn’t rushing to open his own restaurants, he said the idea is ‘on the cards for sure’.
Narayan was elated after scooping the top prize, beating out fellow finalists Kishwar Chowdhury and Pete Campbell.
On the cards! Although he isn’t rushing to open his own restaurants, he said the idea is ‘on the cards for sure’
Winner’s grin: Justin won the title of this year’s MasterChef during the show’s nail-biting finale on Tuesday
‘I feel incredibly honoured and humbled to have that title and to be able to win this competition,’ the stunned cook said on the night.
‘I’m genuinely going to take a week to process this and let it sink in, and then I’ll, like, write you an email, let you know how I feel.’
A gracious Justin congratulated both Kishwar, 38, and Pete, praising them for making it through to the final.
Delicious victory: He took home a whopping $250,000 in prize money, along with the coveted MasterChef trophy
‘First of all, I would like to commend Kish and Pete for being the most incredible people to cook with,’ he began.
‘Kish, you’re an incredible cook and you should be so proud.’
Addressing Pete, 36, Justin said he thought of him as a ‘big brother’, after the two men formed a close friendship throughout the competition.
Grateful: An emotional Justin thanked his proud parents, and said he was ‘very grateful for everything you guys have sacrificed and given to me to be here, to have these opportunities’
‘Pete, I look up to you in so many ways, you’re like my big brother. I definitely wouldn’t be here today without your encouragement, without your support,’ he added.
Although he didn’t take out the top spot, Pete won $30,000 for coming in second, while Kishwar, who placed third in the competition, won $20,000.
An emotional Justin then turned and thanked his proud parents, and said he was ‘very grateful for everything you guys have sacrificed and given to me to be here, to have these opportunities’.
Runner-up: A gracious Justin congratulated both Kishwar Chowdhury and Pete Campbell (pictured), praising them for making it through to the final
‘First of all, I would like to commend Kish and Pete for being the most incredible people to cook with,’ he began. Pictured, finalist Kishwar Chowdhury
Awkwardly, Justin needed to be reminded by judge Jock Zonfrillo to thank his fiancée.
Esther was standing right beside him during the finale.
‘You are so incredibly beautiful, and I love you very much, and I’m sorry for not planning the wedding for the last six months, but I think I can pay for it now,’ he joked.
Cooking up a storm: The show’s finalists were tasked with recreating two dishes by celebrity chef Peter Gilmore – one savoury and one sweet