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A banker from Kent has proved his salt by winning this year's MasterChef.
Viewers watched tonight as international financier Thomas Frake from Dartford sailed to victory after a tense three-hour final.
Thomas became the 16th winner of the trophy after battling against fierce competition from 59 other amateur cooks over the past eight weeks of culinary challenges.
Afterwards he said: “Honestly, it’s a dream come true. It’s been immense and the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.
"I can’t see me not working in food for the rest of my life because it just makes me happy seeing other people happy with it.”
MasterChef judge John Torode said: “Thomas is a real talent. His food has always been about putting a smile on your face. I admire his work ethic, he’s a grafter.
"He is able to take a classic and deliver it with real style and finesse. That’s the gift of a great cook. He knows exactly the direction he wants to go in and, for me, his food tonight tasted fantastic.”
Fellow judge Gregg Wallace from Whitstable added: “Thomas has a definitive style. He takes the ordinary and makes it extraordinary.
"I really admire him. He wants to take all the foods that he grew up with and make them better. He has delighted me all the way. Tonight his three courses were just exceptional. They had his heart and his soul in every single forkful.”
Thomas said: "This has absolutely put a fire under me for sharing my passion for food with other people. I’ve enjoyed it so much. The whole process has been completely life-changing. I’ve been through the entire MasterChef journey and wouldn’t have changed anything from the experience for the world.”
During tonight's tasting, John told Thomas: "It’s not fine dining, it’s not fancy plates but this dish to me, is an example of someone who understands how to get the best out of every single ingredient, with real style. I love it.
"It almost brought a tear to my eye. I think your food is great and your ethos is heart-warming. I don’t think you should ever deviate from it. It’s food that people love to eat.”
Gregg added: “I mean this as a compliment, that is proper old-fashioned hearty grub.”
Thomas ended up facing digital security manager David Rickett, 31, and technology consultant Sandy Tang, 24, in the final.
Earlier in the week he had taken a gastronomic trip of a lifetime to the unique culinary melting pot of Mauritius where he had to create lunch for Mauritian fishermen and a dinner for Moroogun Coopen, president of the Mauritius Chefs Association.
On Thursday they were taught by world pastry chef Albert Adria and cooked at Cakes and Bubbles in London’s Café Royal.
In his final task he served up a monkfish scampi in a beer batter for starters, a main course of ox cheek braised with porter beer and bone marrow and finished with a salted caramel custard tart topped with grated nutmeg and served with popcorn ice cream and toffee popcorn.
Thomas has been cooking since he was seven.
He said: "My mum cooked to feed five men so it was plenty of big one-pot wonders and roasts. But she and my nan used to bake with me and my three younger brothers making cupcakes and jam tarts. I was quite fussy growing up but once I moved out at 21, I properly started cooking.”
He added: "I loved the classics like pie and mash and fish and chips growing up but my real appreciation for food started after travels to Greece and Spain for for the first time. I remember the first time trying freshly grilled fish and tzatziki right by the sea and then I realised what food was all about."
He said: "During the competition, I started to feel more at home in the MasterChef kitchen than I did in mine. I think it came from the validation you get from John, Gregg, the crew and other contestants. Being judged by John and Gregg was a hugely positive experience. It’s incredible when they tell you why your dish is good and they understand what you were trying to achieve.”
Thomas was born Poplar, East London, and grew up with three younger brothers in London and then Dartford where he went to Dartford Grammar School. He now lives in Tooting with his girlfriend.
He said: "I am keen to gain more experience in professional kitchens.
"Hopefully after these tough and unprecedented times for the industry. MasterChef gave me invaluable insight into working in exceptional locations and restaurants and it’s really spurred me on to learn as much as I can from the best chefs out there.
“Further down the line, I would one day love to own a gastro-pub. Maybe a classic East End boozer or a picturesque country pub? But for now, I want to really build on my experience and develop into a chef.”
Applications for MasterChef 2021 are now open at masterchef.com
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