Australian wins MasterChef title

[dutchman]

Australian Ash Mair has been crowned winner of MasterChef: The Professionals after cooking up a three-course meal for judges Michel Roux Junior and Gregg Wallace.



The 34-year-old, who lives in London, beat fellow finalists Steve Barringer and Claire Hutchings to the prize and said he was in "dreamland".

He said: "When my name was announced as the winner I was in shock, I think I was hit with every emotion all at once but mostly overwhelming joy. I'm still not sure if it's actually sunk in - but I'm just so happy that all the work paid off and mostly that Michel and Gregg had so much belief in me throughout the competition."

The finalists had to cook for more than 30 Michelin star chefs and prepare a three-course meal for the judges during the show.

Mr Mair's winning menu included a starter of monkfish tail, a main course of lamb and a Spanish bread and butter pudding.

Mr Roux described him as "a supreme talent", while Mr Wallace said he had "given me some of the best food I have ever tasted".