Joint Champions Make MasterChef History
14th Dec 2012
In the closest MasterChef final ever, both Keri Moss, 41, and Anton Piotrowski, 30, have become the first-ever joint winners in the history of the competition, it was announced today.
After four intense heat weeks, a tough semi-final during which Keri and Anton battled head-to-head but both won a place in final week, and then an incredible final week, their MasterChef: The Professionals 2012 title was awarded by judges: legendary double Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux Jr and food writer and ingredients expert, Gregg Wallace.
Keri Moss said: “Joint winners is just fantastic, we’ve had a good run together, Anton is awesome.
She added: “Today has surpassed anything that I have ever achieved in my career, in my whole life, this is just massive.”
Anton Piotrowski said: “It’s absolutely amazing; to share the title with someone that’s so talented and so amazing is unreal. It’s a good start to the rest of my life, mind blowing!”
Michel Roux Jr said: “This has probably been one of the hardest, tightest finals that I have ever seen.” It was just impossible to split them – their talents have been matched plate for plate for the past several challenges and it was truly impossible to award one the title over the other.”
Gregg Wallace added: “What an amazing final, I can’t ever remember a decision this tight.”
The judges couldn’t separate the chefs and speaking whilst trying to decide the winner Gregg Wallace said: “Keri’s cooking today was out of this world, incredible. I’m so impressed with her. Anton is an exceptional talent and had a brilliant competition, but for me I want to eat Keri’s food more than anybody I’ve met in a long, long time.
He added: “I don’t know what magic is running through Keri’s fingertips, I don’t know who poured the passion into her soul, but you can feel it and you can taste it on dish after dish.
Michel Roux Jr said: “Keri is an exceptional chef, but you can’t get away from the fact that Anton has got the knowledge, he’s got the skills in abundance, he’s got the passion the drive - every dish that Anton cooks is original, it’s got a twist, it’s got his character there.
He added: “The guy is brilliant. Everything he touches and puts on the plate not only looks great but it tastes great. It’s also challenging; it’s pushing the barriers.
Throughout the final week Keri and Anton battled head to head with fellow finalist Oli Boon (23), and had to fully demonstrate their creativity, skill and determination as the exceptional finalists undertook serious challenges that pushed them to their culinary limits.
These included; designing and preparing a Michelin standard course each for over thirty world-renowned and critically acclaimed Michelin starred chefs – with 47 stars between them - inspectors and restaurateurs, at the glamorous Pearl in the heart of London, and being given first time access to cook in the kitchens of the one restaurant which has been more influential to its generation than any other in the world - Heston Blumenthal’s three-Michelin starred The Fat Duck.
The final task was to prepare a three-course meal for judges Michel Roux Jr and Gregg Wallace.
Keri’s winning menu consisted of a starter of Mackerel Tartar served with Crispy Poached Quails Eggs, Marinated Cucumber Cubes, Prosciutto Crisps, Horseradish Sour Cream and a Green Apple Vinaigrette, a main of Chinese Five Spiced Duck Breast, Confit Duck Leg Cubes and Duck Sausage with Roasted Pak Choi, Spiced Baby Beets, Spring Onions and a Duck Jus and a dessert of Green Olive and Pistachio Cake with a White Chocolate Parfait, Marshmallows, Fresh Raspberries and a Raspberry Coulis.
On Keri’s final dishes Michel said: “Keri, the three plates you’ve put in front of us today are testimony to an unbelievable journey, you have now elevated your cuisine to something very very special; you should be very proud of yourself.”
Anton’s winning menu consisted of: a starter of Elderflower Marinated Pollack, served with a Brown Shrimp and Elderflower Beurre Noisette, Squid Ink and Malt Vinegar Crumble, White Asparagus and Mascarpone, a main of Coco Marinated Loin of Venison, accompanied by a Nettle Ballantine Stuffed with Venison Trim, Pan Seared Ox Heart with Spinach, Wild Mushrooms and Gherkins, Roasted Beetroot, a Celeriac Puree and a Dark Chocolate Jus and for his dessert (which consisted of 17 elements) a Dark Chocolate Cylinder filled with Caramel, a Banana Parfait coated in Banana Chips with Shards of Honeycomb Tuile, and a Banana Bread Disc, Banana and Yuzu Juice Puree and finished with Roast Banana, Caramel Dots and Popping Candy.
On Anton’s final dishes Michel said: “I’m stumped for words!”
Keri lives in Nunhead, South East London, where she works as a freelance caterer.
Anton lives in South Devon with his wife Clare, where they run their pub, The Treby Arms.
Moss and Piotrowski join the ranks of four outstanding past winners: Derek Johnstone, Steve Groves Claire Lara and Ash Mair.
