YouTuber and LGBT activist Riyadh Khalaf wins Celebrity MasterChef after beating Olympians Sir Matthew Pinsent and Sam Quek in a tense final
YouTuber and presenter Riyadh Khalaf has been crowned the champion of Celebrity MasterChef 2020.
The broadcaster, 29, who is an outspoken LGBT activist, saw off Olympic heroes Sir Matthew Pinsent and Sam Quek in a nail-biting final.
The internet personality cooked a flawless three-course meal as he saw off 19 celebrities to claim the coveted trophy.
Congratulations! YouTuber and presenter Riyadh Khalaf has been crowned the champion of Celebrity MasterChef 2020
He said after his win: ‘I am absolutely in shock. I can’t believe it, it’s an incredible feeling.
‘This show I have been watching since I was in school and to have gone from being a fan of the show to winning the thing – this is without a doubt the biggest achievement of my life.’
Gregg Wallace said: ‘Riyadh has always been flamboyant, he’s always shown creativity and he’s always been passionate. I think Riyadh’s cooking came of age today.’
Cheers: The broadcaster, 29, who is an outspoken LGBT activist, saw off Olympic heroes Sir Matthew Pinsent and Sam Quek in a nail-biting final
Champion: The internet personality cooked a flawless three-course meal as he saw off 19 celebrities to claim the coveted trophy
Competitive: A tense semi finals saw Olympic rower Sir Matthew and hockey champion Sam Quek progress to the final alongside Riyadh
John Torode added: ‘You look at those three dishes and I thought they were restaurant quality. Some people just get better, their food finer but more importantly more and more delicious. A deserved winner.’
In the final episode, Riyadh, alongside his other finalists had two hours to present a three-course meal, cooked to the very highest standards to impress the judges.
For his winning menu, he opened with a starter of monkfish scampi in beer batter with wild garlic mayonnaise and a lemon and onion seed garnish.
Intimidating: The stars had to cook for celebrated chef Aldo Zilli, recreating one of his signature dishes
Proud: Amar Latif, the show’s first ever blind contestant, won many plaudits from fans but failed to claim the crown
His main course consisted of beef fillet with port shallots, celeriac cream and a Parmesan tuile.
And he rounded the meal off with a white chocolate fondant with rhubarb poached in elderflower liqueur, topped with crumbled pistachio and edible flowers.
The final followed a tense semi final where the stars had to cook a mass 90th anniversary meal for 120 staff and volunteers at the National Breeding Centre for Guide Dogs.
Knocked out: Actor Phil Daniels was one of 19 celebrities pipped to the post by the talented Riyadh
Winner: Riyadh created traditional Iraqi lamb kofta kebabs with hummus, baby roast aubergines, tzatziki, garlic and coriander flatbreads and a fattoush salad
The reality stars then took part in an invention test to recreate a favourite takeaway dish before they cooked for celebrated chef Aldo Zilli, recreating one of his signature dishes.
In the last semi final challenge set by John and Gregg, the contestants produced a plate of food inspired by their family.
Riyadh created traditional Iraqi lamb kofta kebabs with hummus, baby roast aubergines, tzatziki, garlic and coriander flatbreads and a fattoush salad.
Close: Sir Matthew Pinsent, who won four gold medals, fell short of adding to his trophy cabinet
Competition: Sam Quek, who previously appeared on I’m A Celebrity, finished off a competitive top three
Tough: In the last semi final challenge set by John and Gregg, the contestants produced a plate of food inspired by their family
The menu was dedicated to his hero, his Iraqi father who used struggle with having a gay son.
But now he comes to Pride parades and campaigned alongside Riyadh for same sex marriage in Ireland.
Riyadh follows in the footsteps of previous winners Greg Rutherford, John Partridge, Angellica Bell, Alexis Conran, Kimberly Wyatt, Sophie Thompson, Ade Edmondson, Emma Kennedy, Phil Vickery, Lisa Faulkner, Jayne Middlemiss, Liz McClarnon, Nadia Sawalha and Matt Dawson.
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