Whitney Miller falls fowl of Gordon Ramsay but still wins first ever U.S. MasterChef

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Updated:


He’s not a man easily shocked, but Gordon Ramsay was left open mouthed during the final of the first ever series of U.S. MasterChef last night.

The cooking entrepreneur was stunned when finalist Whitney Miller, 22, was forced to re-cook her country fried chicken dish in just seven minutes after it slipped off her spatula on to the floor.

But despite the setback, Whitney, a Southern Mississippi nutrition student,  triumphed in the first ever U.S. series of the amateur cooking show.

Winner: Student Whitney Miller won the first ever U.S. Masterchef contest

Winner: Student Whitney Miller won the first ever U.S. Masterchef contest

Ramsay cracked open a bottle of champagne as he announced her as American MasterChef winner.

Whitney, who put her college studies on hold to compete in the contest, wowed the show's judges with her take on simple Southern-style food during the two hour finale.

'She is one of the most instinctive, naturally gifted home cooks I've ever come across, said Ramsay, who judged the cooks alongside chefs Graham Elliot and Joe Bastianich.

Celebration: Gordon Ramsay cracked open a bottle of champagne to mark Miller's win

Celebration: Gordon Ramsay cracked open a bottle of champagne to mark Miller's Masterchef win

'Her innate ability to create stunning desserts and cakes, in particular, is mind-blowing.

'Graham, Joe and I are all thrilled for her, and we are really excited to see what happens next for the Pastry Princess!"

She beat the other finalist – 29-year-old David Miller from Boston - with her corn cake with turnip green pesto, country fried chicken and a white chocolate bread pudding.

Cooking up a storm: Miller wowed the judges with her twist on southern cooking

Cooking up a storm: Miller wowed the judges with her twist on southern cooking

Chicken collapse: Miller has a culinary disaster when she dropped her chicken main course on the floor with seven minutes to go

Chicken collapse: Miller has a culinary disaster when she dropped her chicken main course on the floor with seven minutes to go

The judges favoured her three-course meal over David's scallop ceviche, beef wellington and nectarine crepe.

She takes home $250,000 and a publishing deal for her own cookbook.

'Being the youngest competitor, I was able to prove that age is just a number, and I cannot wait to continue my culinary career because now there is definitely no turning back,' said Whitney. 'I’m just elated.

‘I've got to get on my cookbook because I want everyone to be able to have it as soon as possible.’

Cash prize: Ramsay, along with fellow judges Graham Elliot and Joe Bastianich hand Miller her $250,000 cheque

Cash prize: Ramsay, along with fellow judges Graham Elliot and Joe Bastianich hand Miller her $250,000 cheque


 

Most watched News videos

Comments 5

Share what you think

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.