Tom Rhodes was crowned the winner of MasterChef 2021 on Wednesday night.
The contestant, 31, beat Mike Tomkins and Alexina Anatole during the final after impressing John Torode and Gregg Wallace with his ‘absolute genius’ dishes.
It comes after the MasterChef final was postponed on Friday to Wednesday night in the wake of Prince Philip’s death.
Talking after his win, Tom said: ‘From beginning to end, MasterChef is the most incredible experience.
Winner! Tom Rhodes was crowned the winner of MasterChef 2021 on Wednesday night
‘Being this year’s MasterChef Champion, after watching and admiring so many past Champions, seems like a dream come true.
‘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.
‘I’ll also never forget and can’t be more thankful to all the friendly, hard working, fantastic people, that make MasterChef such a special show.’
Teasing what’s next, Tom added: ‘I feel this is just the start, and I’m excited for what comes next. One day I would love to write a cookbook and have a cookery school.
Amazing: The contestant, 31, beat Mike Tomkins and Alexina Anatole during the final after impressing John Torode and Gregg Wallace with his ‘absolute genius’ dishes
Postponed: It comes after the MasterChef final was postponed on Friday to Wednesday night in the wake of Prince Philip’s death
‘During the competition, I have realised my love for developing recipes and cooking for other people outside of my friends and family, so would love to do more of this after the show.
‘It would be great to spend time in professional kitchens as even after over 20 years of cooking I know I still have so much to learn. I’d also love to see more of East and South East Asia, to learn more about their food and culture.’
Judge John, 55, added of Tom’s win: ‘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. As an amateur chef what he is doing is really impressive.’
Challenge: During Wednesday’s show, the three finalists had to prepare a three-course meal for judges John and Gregg (Mike, Alexina and Tom pictured)
‘Absolute genius’: Tom’s winning menu started with a trio of oysters and his main a reverse seared rib-eye steak topped with kombu pickled beetroot, baked beef fat beetroot, wasabi buttermilk and a watercress puree. Tom’s dessert was his take on a classic lemon tart
While co-judge Gregg, 56, said: ‘I love this fella. He has delivered some of the most beautiful, elegant dishes I have seen in this competition for a long while. He is a phenomenal talent and the sky’s the limit for him.’
During Wednesday’s show, the three finalists had to prepare a three-course meal for judges John and Gregg.
Tom’s winning menu started with a trio of oysters and his main a reverse seared rib-eye steak topped with kombu pickled beetroot, baked beef fat beetroot, wasabi buttermilk and a watercress puree. It was served with sake and bone marrow sauce.
Talking after the main, Gregg said: ‘It is shockingly modern with the big blocks of colour but I understand it and it’s absolutely fantastic.’
Lovely: Talking after his win, Tom said: ‘Being this year’s MasterChef Champion, after watching and admiring so many past Champions, seems like a dream come true.’
Tom’s dessert was his take on a classic lemon tart, he opted for a short crust case filled with a yuzu citrus cream topped with a black olive meringue and candied yuzu peel. He served the dish with an olive oil ice cream, olive oil and sea salt flakes.
The final dish left the judges impressed with Gregg saying it was ‘a work of absolute genius’ while John added that it was ‘flawless and a joyous dessert’.
Tom was born in Manchester and grew up in Rochdale before relocating to Newcastle where he attended university. He now lives and works in the city.
Talking about his love of cooking, the winner revealed that he has been experimenting in the kitchen since he was four-years-old and he went on to cook for his parents’ friends when he was a teenager.
Inspiration: Tom revealed that is inspired by Nigella Lawson and Nigel Slater, he said: ‘When I was younger, I watched a lot of Nigella Lawson and Nigel Slater.’ (Nigella pictured in 2020)
Tom also revealed that is inspired by Nigella Lawson and Nigel Slater, he said: ‘When I was younger, I watched a lot of Nigella Lawson and Nigel Slater.
‘I have met Nigella Lawson and have a signed copy of How to Eat, which has a special place in my growing collection of over 300 cookbooks.’
Talking about his time on the 2021 series, Tom added: ‘I have had a great time in the competition and I have so many great memories. I can’t believe what has just happened, I couldn’t have asked for more.
‘When I came in today I wanted to put up three beautiful plates of food and I have done that. I am so proud of myself and so happy.’
It comes after the MasterChef final was postponed on Friday to Wednesday night in the wake of Prince Philip’s death.
The BBC were forced to cancel the episode following a programme rescheduling so the channel could air special coverage celebrate the late Duke Of Edinburgh’s life.
The final was originally due to air on Friday night on BBC One at 8.30pm, however tribute programme HRH The Duke of Edinburgh Remembered aired instead.
A statement from the corporation at the time said: ‘With the sad news that HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, has died there is now special coverage across all BBC networks to mark his life of extraordinary public service and planned scheduling has been suspended.’
Future plans: Teasing what’s next, Tom added: ‘I feel this is just the start, and I’m excited for what comes next. One day I would love to write a cookbook and have a cookery school.’