Last night, Season Five of MASTERCHEF came to an unforgettable conclusion as host, executive producer and judge Gordon Ramsay and fellow judges Joe Bastianich and Graham Elliot named Courtney Lapresi the winner of FOX's hit home cooking competition series. Lapresi, 25, is an aerial dancer from Philadelphia, PA. In addition to earning the MASTERCHEF title, Lapresi walked away with a cookbook deal and the $250,000 grand prize.
It has just been announced that Courtney has signed on for the first-ever "MasterChef" Cruise this November. The chef will join fans and vacationers at a number of cocktail parties, taking part in a mystery box challenge and posing for photo opps while aboard Holland America's MS Westerdam. Additionally, she will be holding her very own panels and intimate cooking sessions.
On the cruise, Courtney will take part in:
Tricks of the Trade: Courtney Lapresi, along with Season 4 fan favorite Bri Kozior, will demonstrate some of the best tricks used in professional kitchens everywhere.
The Finishing Touch: Courtney Lapresi will teach you how to add that
EXTRA touch to your dish. The season 5 winner will show you how to create a visually stunning, yet delicious dish using herb oils, aiolis, and purees as smooth as silk.
In last night's sensational Season Finale episode, Lapresi competed in a culinary showdown with Elizabeth Cauvel, a 31-year-old advertising executive from Brooklyn, NY. For the final challenge, Lapresi created an elevated three-course meal: an appetizer of Crispy Pig Ear with Dandelion Fennel Salad; a main course of Sumac Duck Breast with Spring Vegetables and Farro; and a Cherry Meringue with Chocolate and Almonds for dessert. In the end, it was Lapresi's sophisticated European flavors and techniques that won over the judges and earned her the MASTERCHEF title.
"Winning MASTERCHEF unlocks the door to all possibilities for me," said Lapresi. "This title not only changes my life, but also my family's life, and I hope to pursue my dreams of creating the foundation for a business that will be successful for years to come. I look forward to writing my cookbook, which will be inspired by my family, and to continue my transition from 'home cook' to 'chef.' I am grateful for the support and encouragement that I have received throughout this journey."
This season, Lapresi was the first home cook to earn a white apron and advance to the MASTERCHEF kitchen. In addition to winning two mystery box challenges and having one of the Top Three dishes in four mystery box challenges, she also presented one of the top dishes in each of the three pressure tests she competed in, making her the most consistently successful home cook across all challenges.
Nearing the end of its fifth season, MASTERCHEF ranks as the season's No. 1 cooking show on television, among Adults 18-49 and Total Viewers.
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