British-born Lankan clinches MasterChef 2024 

By Sujeeva Nivunhella
reporting from London

Lankan descent Brin Piratapan, a 29-year-old veterinary surgeon from Chelmsford, has emerged victorious in the 20th British MasterChef Championship, held at the prestigious Le Gavroche in Singapore. Piratapan triumphed over 57 competitors in a gruelling eight-week contest to claim the coveted MasterChef trophy, awarded by esteemed judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace.

The final saw Piratapan pitted against Louise Lyons Macleod, 44, and Chris Willoughby, 44, in a high-pressure challenge to create the finest three-course meal of their lives. The task was to impress the judges with their culinary skills, determination, and creativity.

Piratapan said: “I’m absolutely chuffed to bits. I can’t breathe! I’m a big mix of my background, my culture, and all the opportunities my parents have given me. They’ve been incredible and I’ve done it for them as much as I’ve done it for myself. The experience itself has been incredible and to top it off with this is just the most amazing thing, ever.”

Judge John Torode praised Piratapan’s unique talent, saying, “Brin is an extraordinary cook and an amazing talent. He takes combinations that don’t sound like they belong together, but they actually work. Today, he’s delivered three absolutely sensational courses that could grace the table of any restaurant up and down the land.”

Judge Gregg said: “These are ingredient combinations that Brin is inventing. That makes him dangerously clever. He’s got technique, he’s got creativity. In my experience, Brin is unique. One of the cleverest talents I’ve ever, ever seen.”

Raised in Chelmsford and now residing in Bristol with his fiancé Anna, Piratapan credits his Sri Lankan parents for inspiring his passion for food and flavour. “Cooking definitely runs in my family,” he shared. “I’m really lucky that I’ve got this amazing spicy culinary background from my parents. They are great cooks and I’ve been lucky enough to be treated to amazing Tamil Sri Lankan flavours throughout my life.”

Piratapan’s culinary style is a blend of his Tamil Sri Lankan heritage and British upbringing. “I have a passion for creating dishes with bold flavours but refining them to high standards with European techniques. I like to pull flavour combinations from all over the world and create balanced dishes.”