MasterChef Champions: Where are they now?

With MasterChef back on our screens soon, we’re taking a look back at the past five winners - and catching up on where their journeys have taken them since their victories.

Despite the recent sackings of presenting duo John Torode and Gregg Wallace, who worked on the show since 2005, the BBC has taken the decision to broadcast the cooking show.

The series will air as normal, starting  today (August 6).

Read more: MasterChef UK return confirmed after presenter sackings

From Brin Pirathapan’s Tamil‑Sri Lankan flavours to Chariya Khattiyot’s northern Thai roots, here’s what the show’s recent champions are doing now.

2024 - Brin Pirathapan

Since lifting the MasterChef UK trophy last year, Brin has been steadily carving out a place for himself in the food world.

The Bristol‑based chef, who swapped a career in veterinary medicine for the kitchen, is now focused full‑time on cooking, building on the bold flavours and Tamil‑Sri Lankan influences that won him the competition.

In the months since his win, Brin has been busy doing takeovers on the BBC Good Food app, sharing a run of recipes inspired by his heritage - including Sri Lankan wattalapam and roasted duck with bitter leaf salad.

He’s also been working on an inventive snack series, reimagining pub classics with twists like Korean‑style bang bang cauliflower.

He’s hinted at hosting supper clubs and private dining events around Bristol, a move that would allow him to test ideas and build towards a restaurant of his own. A cookbook is also in the works, documenting his approach to vibrant, low‑waste, accessible cooking.

2023 - Chariya Khattiyot

When Chariya won MasterChef UK in 2023, she made history as the first Thai-born chef to claim the title.

Since lifting the trophy, Chariya has opened her first restaurant, Khao Soi by Chariya, in Alton, Hampshire. The menu is a love letter to her northern Thai roots, blending traditional flavours with modern techniques.

Chariya often speaks about her childhood in rural Thailand, where she learned to cook alongside her grandfather over an open fire. His mantra of “never give up” continues to guide her work today, shaping both her food and her outlook.

Looking ahead, Chariya has hinted at plans to expand her restaurant projects, with hopes of opening additional venues in Hampshire or nearby Winchester.

She remains committed to showcasing the bold, vibrant flavours of northern Thailand to a wider audience while continuing to roast coffee, keeping that part of her story alive.

Chariya has also written her first cookbook titled Lanna: Recipes from Northern Thailand and Beyond.

2022 - Eddie Scott

Eddie's win on MasterChef UK in 2022 was one of the show’s standout moments. A former marine pilot from Yorkshire, Eddie captured the judges’ attention with classical French cooking rooted in precision, balance and flavour.

In the two years since his victory, Eddie has transitioned into a full‑time hospitality career. He’s been hosting sell‑out pop‑ups and supper clubs around the UK, where he cooks seasonal menus heavily influenced by French classics but with touches of British produce.

Eddie has also become a regular face at food festivals and cookery demonstrations, sharing his passion for French cuisine and his journey from ship pilot to chef.

Looking ahead, Eddie has spoken openly about wanting to open his own restaurant when the timing and concept feel right. For now, he’s focused on honing his style, building a loyal following through events, and continuing to evolve as a chef outside the confines of television.

2021 - Tom Rhodes

Tom won MasterChef UK in 2021 with dishes that blended approachable comfort food with refined, restaurant‑quality technique.

A former retail manager from Newcastle, Tom stood out on the show for his calm precision and ability to elevate familiar flavours into something memorable, from rich seafood dishes to perfectly balanced desserts.

Since taking home the trophy, Tom has carved out a career as a food writer, recipe developer and supper club host. He regularly collaborates with national food magazines and brands, producing recipes that reflect his style – modern British cooking with global influences, always grounded in flavour and simplicity.

Tom has become a familiar face at food festivals across the country, where he leads live cooking demonstrations and shares insights from his MasterChef journey. He’s also been running pop‑up dining events, often in and around the North East, showcasing seasonal menus that evolve with the local produce available.

While he hasn’t yet launched a permanent restaurant, Tom has spoken about keeping the door open to that possibility in the future.

2020 - Thomas Frake

Thomas lifted the MasterChef trophy in 2020 with dishes inspired by classic British comfort food. His winning menu celebrated nostalgic flavours - suet puddings, rich pies, hearty sauces - cooked with a refined edge that impressed the judges and struck a chord with viewers looking for familiarity during the first national lockdown.

In the years since his win, Thomas has stayed true to that style, championing traditional British cooking and seasonal produce. He has become a regular presence at food festivals and supper clubs, where he serves menus rooted in pub classics and home‑style dishes elevated with precise technique.

He has also moved into recipe writing and media work, contributing to cookery magazines and appearing on television and radio to talk about British food heritage.

Thomas now serves as landlord and executive chef of The Silks, a Victorian-era village pub in Ogbourne St Andrew, Wiltshire.

written by Abi Kinsella