Dining Dads Triumph in Nail-Biting MKR Final
The 2025 season of the hit cooking show My Kitchen Rules reached its spectacular climax on Sunday night, with fathers Justin and Will being crowned the champions. In what judges have called the closest grand final in the programme's history, the duo, affectionately known as the 'dining dads', secured a narrow victory, winning the coveted title and a $100,000 cash prize.
A Victory Decided by a Single Point
The tension was palpable as the final scores were revealed. Justin and Will achieved an impressive 73 out of a possible 80 points for their four-course menu. Their triumph was sealed by a mere one-point margin over the runners-up, Maria and Bailey, making for a truly unforgettable and dramatic conclusion to the competition.
The emotional weight of the moment was immediate. 'I can't believe we've won the title,' an overwhelmed Will exclaimed. Justin, visibly shaking, confessed in a raw moment, 'I can't stop shaking.' The winners dedicated their victory to their families, who were present for the finale. 'I'm lost for words. To have our families with us, we hope we did them proud,' Will said, fighting back tears. Justin added, 'We've accomplished what we've set out to do. We made our kids proud; we made ourselves proud. That's amazing.'
The Final Cook-Off: A Culinary Battle Royale
The path to victory was paved with sacrifice and intense effort. Before the final cook even began, Justin became emotional, reflecting on the time spent away from his wife and children to compete. 'It's a long time we've been away from our kids... We've sacrificed our family life to be here in this competition,' he shared.
Both finalist teams were pushed to their limits, racing against the clock to produce 100 plates across four demanding courses: a canapé, a seafood dish, a meat course, and a dessert. Judge Colin Fassnidge noted it was 'one of the most exciting cooks I've seen in a grand final in a long time', while his colleague Manu Feildel stated, 'This is the closest grand final I can remember.'
Justin and Will's winning menu was a masterful blend of heritage and modern technique:
- Canapé: A Smoked Ham Hock and Gruyère Croquette with Sauce Gribiche, praised for its 'perfect flavour' and scoring a nine from both judges despite a slightly split sauce.
- Seafood Course: A South African Pickled Kingfish with Brioche and Green Papaya Chutney, a homage to Justin's father. The 'explosion of flavour' impressed Manu, though an unrisen brioche bun saw the dish score an eight.
- Meat Course: A Red Wine and Rosemary Braised Beef Short Rib with Parsnip Purée and Beets. Colin awarded this 'earthy and beautiful' plate a perfect ten, with Manu scoring it a nine.
- Dessert: A 'incredible' Dubai Chocolate Éclair that Colin said looked like something from a degustation menu, cementing their path to victory.
Despite their loss, runners-up Maria and Bailey were gracious in defeat. Bailey complimented his partner, saying, 'We knew we were coming up against tough competition, so to be able to do what we did today is truly incredible.' Their elegant and sophisticated menu was also highly praised by the judges for its refined style.
