Brenna Cooper
Celebrity MasterChef spoilers follow.
Tonight’s (December 20) festive edition of Celebrity MasterChef saw returning contestants Mel Blatt, Richard Blackwood, Duncan James and Faye Winter battle for the Golden Whisk trophy.
All four celebrities impressed judges John Torode and Greg Wallace. However, there could only be one winner, and singer Duncan was crowned winner thanks to a “genius” Turkey Wellington.
For the first task, the celebrities took a culinary trip Down Under, being asked to create classic Australian Christmas dishes — including Beer Can Chicken and Lamington Wreath Cake — for the judges.
“We are really keen to see how you have developed,” Gregg told the group as they donned the white aprons once again.
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Duncan and Richard both wowed guest judge Peter Andre with the authenticity of their “brilliant” Beer Can Chicken and BBQ Prawn Platter dishes.
Mel and Faye also earned praise with their desserts, with John calling Mel’s Lamington Wreath Cake “fabulous”, while Gregg praised Faye for the “technically difficult” aspects of her Christmas Pavlova.
For the final round, the celebrities were asked to create their own take on an ultimate Christmas dinner.
Reality star Faye opted to go vegetarian for her meal, creating a nut roast for the judges. She also attempted another sticky toffee pudding — the dish which saw her eliminated previously — for dessert. “I’m not messing around,” Faye said of her pudding.
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But it was Duncan who truly shone in the final task, earning high praise from John and Gregg for his Turkey Wellington and “well-made” spiced sticky toffee pudding.
“That turkey is how all of us want our turkey,” Gregg said of the dish. “I’m not kidding you when I say I expect to find food of this quality in a really good restaurant.”
Duncan’s skills in the challenge ultimately saw him crowned Christmas champion, a win that left him shocked.
“Are you being serious?! Thank you so much, oh my God. I can’t believe it!” he said before calling his mum to tell her the news.
“I’m just so happy. This is one of the best things that has happened to me.”
Celebrity MasterChef airs on BBC One.
Reporter, Digital Spy
Brenna Cooper is a freelance journalist, who currently specialises in entertainment reporting. She joined Digital Spy in 2022, writing TV and movies stories for the site. After graduating with an NCTJ accredited Journalism Masters from the University of Sheffield in 2020 she has since embarked on a freelance career.
Brenna previously produced lifestyle content for Checklists.co.uk and has a specific interest in music, reviewing live acts and interviewing bands such as Confidence Man and Amyl and the Sniffers.
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