Part-time DJ Natalie Coleman was last night crowned this year’s MasterChef champion and said: “It’s a dream come true.”
She triumphed with a winning menu featuring dishes of lobster and pork to become the third woman to win in nine years.
And Coleman, who is a credit controller, was told by judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace she was “destined for great things”.
Viewers of the BBC1 show have seen the Hackney-born 29-year-old battle through from 50 contestants to the final three over the past eight weeks.
Alongside defeated finalists Dale Williams and Larkin Cen, she rounded off her tough challenges with a culinary odyssey across Italy.
They cooked with rustic chef Mamma Agata on the Amalfi Coast, and headed to Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence during their travels.
And they had to face an intimidating test of impressing four of the world’s greatest chefs by preparing a three-course menu designed by two Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan.
The final task was to prepare a menu for the show’s hosts.
Torode said: “I think Natalie is destined for great things.”
Coleman, who has had a side-line as a house DJ for the past five years, said: “This is probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my life. It’s like a fairytale really, the girl from Hackney done good.”