The BBC's MasterChef Festive Extravaganza: Champion of Champions marked a significant, and final, television moment for long-standing co-presenter John Torode. This Christmas special, now available on iPlayer, served as Torode's last appearance on the flagship cooking show after the BBC chose not to renew his contract earlier this year.
A Festive Farewell for a Familiar Face
The episode, filmed prior to his departure, saw Torode co-hosting alongside critic Grace Dent. It featured four previous winners of the main competition battling for the title of 'Champion of Champions' and a distinctive golden frying pan trophy. The contestants were Brin Pirathapan (2024 winner), Thomas Frake (2020), Natalie Coleman (2013), and Chariya Khattiyot (2023).
Torode's exit follows a tumultuous period for the show, after an allegation against him involving the use of an offensive racist term was upheld by the BBC in July. Torode has denied the allegations. This led to unaired 2024 Christmas specials and a recent main series where two contestants were edited out at their own request.
Dent Delivers as Torode Takes a Maverick Turn
Throughout the festive cook-off, Grace Dent's presence was a highlight. Her sparky and genuinely enthusiastic interactions with the chefs offered a fresh dynamic, contrasting with what the review describes as Torode's sometimes flat delivery and Gregg Wallace's more bombastic style.
Torode himself appeared notably different—more relaxed and given to unpredictable, almost poetic bursts of commentary. His feedback, once reserved for technical notes on gravy, became freewheeling and emotionally charged. He was seen patting his belly contentedly after declaring one dish potentially 'the best food I have eaten in the history of MasterChef'.
The Champions' Culinary Showdown
The four former champions tackled a brief to create a dish 'fit for royalty' within a tight timeframe. Their efforts were ambitious and theatrical:
- Chariya Khattiyot crafted a 'queen bee golden hive dessert' with orange liqueur gel and honeycomb, while dressed enigmatically as Widow Twankey.
- Natalie Coleman prepared lamb cannon with 'artichoke four ways', after a minor mishap involving a dropped lobster.
- Brin Pirathapan presented a Yellow Submarine-themed halibut with champagne beurre blanc, though his habit of referring to himself in the third person raised eyebrows.
- Thomas Frake impressed with a treacle-marinated roast venison, contributing to the high standard that left the judges delighted.
Guest judge Tom Parker Bowles joined Torode and Dent at the tasting bench, offering his regal approval of the extravagant creations.
The special ultimately provided a festive, if poignant, send-off for John Torode, closing a chapter on his nearly two-decade tenure. It also hinted at a new, more engaging era for MasterChef led by Grace Dent's infectious energy. MasterChef Festive Extravaganza: Champion of Champions is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
