Chariya Khattiyot is named MasterChef champion trends now

Chariya Khattiyot has been named MasterChef Champion, making her the 19th amateur cook to claim the coveted title on BBC One's prestigious cooking competition.

After seeing off 44 other ambitious contestants, Chariya triumphed against the exceptional remaining finalists, Anurag Aggarwal and Omar Foster, during Thursday evening's show. 

Chariya, 40, a master coffee roaster before taking part in the show, was subsequently awarded the revered MasterChef trophy by judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace.

Reacting to her win, she said: 'This is unbelievable. It means the world, the sun, the moon and everything to me. I don't think anything can top this. I'm so happy! 

'This just proves that if you dream something and you work really hard and you never give up, you can get it. That's what my grandad said to me – never give up. He would be so proud of me!' 

On the very emotional night, both judges also shed a tear as they announced this year's winner, with Chariya sweetly apologising as they all became overcome with emotion.

Torode said: 'Chariya's food has always been honest and from the heart. It's always exciting, it's always unusual and it's always been beautiful and addictive. 

'And not just punchy, exciting Thai flavours that we saw at the start, but also exceptional, innovative and exciting technique all the way through. A proper master.'

Co-host Wallace added: 'Chariya is outstanding and one of the best MasterChef contestants I can remember. Chariya has delighted and amazed me in equal measure. 

'Some of her creations are absolutely beautiful - almost with an artist's touch. She is one of the most creative, skilful cooks I've seen on MasterChef for a long, long time.' 

Delighted viewers were quick to take to Twitter to gush over her victory, with some admitting they were reduced to tears, while others called it the best final in years.

One person wrote: 'What an amazing series this has been. What a worthy winner Chariya was. Her food was top notch all the way through.' 

Another said: 'That has got to be the best #MasterChef final in years. All three were brilliant.'

A third penned: 'Why am I crying with happiness about a cooking competition,' while a fourth tweeted: 'Fantastic result. Well done Chariya! Book me into your restaurant along with Monica please.'

Another added: 'Absolutely cannot describe what a fab series Masterchef has been.

'Congrats to Chariya obviously (incredible) but seriously, all three finalists were worthy of a trophy. So, fly free Omar and Anuurag too.'

While someone else gushed: 'Probably the greatest EVER winner of Masterchef.' 

Speaking ahead of the last cook-off, Chariya said: 'From a little girl who cooked in a kitchen with no walls, to lift that trophy is going to be the story I can tell to inspire a lot of girls who have a hard life. If you work really hard, I'm sure you can achieve something.' 

'You really want to succeed in something, you set a goal and you go for it, that's what my granddad told me,' she added.

Thursday's episode saw the final three take on the most intense challenge of the competition - cooking the best three-course meal of their lives.

Chariya's winning menu started with a Thai Lotus Tuille, filled with Coconut Jelly, Fried King Prawns, Pomelo Fruit Salad, flavoured with Honey, Palm Sugar and Coconut. 

On tasting it, an impressed Wallace said: 'That's fabulous. That's a delicate little morsel, packing a very big punch.'