Junior doctor Saliha Mahmood-Ahmed has been crowned the winner of MasterChef UK on BBC One.
The 27-year-old saw off the challenge of DJ and producer Steve Kielty and music teacher Giovanna Ryan to take the title.
You can tell @JohnTorode1 and @GreggAWallace love this part of the competition. 😂 #MasterChefUK pic.twitter.com/QPCIgb4N3W
— MasterChef UK 🍴 (@MasterChefUK) May 12, 2017
With expectations "sky high" from judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace, the three were given three hours to cook a three-course meal.
Torode said the finalists had to cook like they had never cooked before, while Wallace said he was ready for "culinary fireworks".
While Kielty and Ryan's dishes received huge dollops of praise from the judges, there were some very minor quibbles with the meals.
Saliha wasn't joking when she said she was going to treat this as a test. 😂 #MasterChefUK pic.twitter.com/UehpgsC5rS
— MasterChef UK 🍴 (@MasterChefUK) May 12, 2017
However, Mahmood-Ahmed's dishes were fault-free from start(er) to finish.
She began with Venison Kebab and Dhal; her main was Kashmiri-style Duck, which was followed by a "Deconstructed Baklava" for dessert.
Saliha's venison shami kebab with cashew and coriander green chutney is absolute kebab goals. #MasterChefUK pic.twitter.com/OZ4hcOgT3b
— MasterChef UK 🍴 (@MasterChefUK) May 12, 2017
With each course, Torode and Wallace served up more plaudits - and viewers had the feeling it would be the doctor's night.
A MasterChef finals dish that's so good, it's simply blown @JohnTorode1 away. #MasterChefUK pic.twitter.com/4i3M0SNoiU
— MasterChef UK 🍴 (@MasterChefUK) May 12, 2017
As the judges deliberated on a "really tight final", they said she had saved "her three best dishes" until the final show.
When the result was announced both Kielty and Ryan were very gracious in defeat, saying that Mahmood-Ahmed deserved to win.
Well that was one of the most tense moments ever. 👀 #MasterChefUK pic.twitter.com/MBTlonXKn6
— MasterChef UK 🍴 (@MasterChefUK) May 12, 2017
The champion herself said she couldn't believe the result was true.
"I'm so happy my cheekbones are hurting right now," she added.
