In a thrilling climax to the 2025 series, drag performer Ginger Johnson has been officially named the Celebrity MasterChef champion, seeing off fierce competition from rugby icon Alun Wyn Jones and broadcaster Dawn O'Porter. The nail-biting final, broadcast on 19 December 2025, was decided by judges Grace Dent and John Torode, who praised Johnson's "extraordinary" culinary skills.
A Winning Menu From A Bygone Era
The decisive cook-off required the three finalists to create their best three-course meal, reflecting their entire MasterChef journey. Ginger Johnson's strategy paid off spectacularly with a menu described by the judges as the ultimate, contemporary 1970s dinner party.
Her winning feast began with a Bloody Mary prawn cocktail, featuring prawns in a tomato sauce. The main course was a creative twist on Duck a l'Orange – a duck leg and vegetable pie served with an orange and red wine gravy, accompanied by smoked garlic Hasselback potatoes, purple carrot, and charred baby romanesco and kale.
The show-stopping dessert was a Flaming Baked Alaska, consisting of Swiss meringue covering a sponge base, a caramelised pineapple ring, a glacé cherry, and vanilla and cherry ice cream, all generously soaked in rum.
Judges' Verdict and an Emotional Victory
Reacting to her win, an emotional Ginger Johnson said: "I cannot believe this, I’m so shocked. I really thought I was going to come here and have a laugh. I can’t believe this is the end result... I’ve actually learned a real-life skill!" She dedicated her victory to her parents, whom she couldn't wait to tell.
Judge Grace Dent commended her consistent performance, stating: "Throughout this entire competition Ginger has delivered these intriguing, inventive, exciting, imaginative, difficult feats. What’s she’s done is something really impressive." She added that beneath the entertaining showmanship was a "serious cook."
John Torode echoed the praise, highlighting the taste of her food: "With all the presentation, all the fun, the laughs, her food tastes delicious and she’s an extraordinary cook. For me, that’s why she is our champion." Ginger Johnson now becomes the 20th celebrity to lift the coveted MasterChef trophy.
The Gruelling Path to the Final
The victory caps an intense five-week competition that started with 15 celebrities. The demanding Finals Week saw Ginger and her rivals tackle a series of high-pressure challenges.
These included preparing a celebratory afternoon tea at the historic Wedgwood pottery for the Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent under the guidance of renowned pastry chef Cherish Finden. The final four also had to dedicate an outstanding dish to someone special.
In one of the toughest tests, the final three cooked at the Chef’s Table of The Boat Inn in Lichfield, a three-rosette restaurant led by Liam Dillon. They served a panel of diners boasting a combined five Michelin stars, including acclaimed chefs Lisa Goodwin-Allen, Sat Bains, and Paul Ainsworth.
Ginger Johnson, whose real name is Donald Marshall, is originally from a small village in County Durham. Inspired by comedian Chris Hayward, she found her expressive outlet in drag performance, later winning BBC Three's RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Series 5 in 2023. She lives with her partner, Vyv, and their two cats.
