Shelina Permalloo was crowned the winner of MasterChef on BBC1 last night by judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace, who said she brought “sunshine to a plate”.
The 29-year-old became the second woman to win the title in eight years after weeks of intense competition in the culinary challenge, beating Andrew Kojima and Tom Rennolds.
She said: “I am completely and utterly overwhelmed. I never thought it was going to be me that would win. The guys were so amazing and I just never thought it could happen to me.”
Ms Permalloo, who lives in Tooting, south London, grew up in Southampton.
Her winning menu was an octopus starter, mutton curry and a dessert of mango cannelloni filled with lime curd.
John Torode said: “What Shelina has done throughout this competition is outstanding. She is a very special cook.”