Justin and Will have been crowned the 2025 My Kitchen Rules champions, edging out Maria and Bailey by just a single point.
The win sees the pair pocket taking home $100,000 prize money.
The finale, which aired Sunday night on Seven and 7plus, marked the closest Grand Final the series has ever recorded, with the proud dads scoring 73 out of 80.
The series drove entertainment numbers with total TV national audience of 1,068,000 and a BVOD audience of 190,000.
Overcome with emotion, Will said: “I can’t believe we’ve won the title.” Justin added: “I can’t stop shaking.”
Looking to the stands, Will wiped away tears as he thanked his family: “I’m lost for words. To have our families with us, we hope we did them proud.”
Justin shared the same sentiment: “We’ve accomplished what we’ve set out to do. We made our kids proud; we made ourselves proud. That’s amazing.”
A Grand Final built on heart and high stakes
Before cooking had even begun, the finale took an emotional turn as Justin acknowledged the long stretch away from their partners and young children.
“It’s a long time we’ve been away from our kids. We’ve sacrificed our family life to be here in this competition,” he said.
Both teams delivered four courses canapé, seafood, meat and dessert producing 100 plates under tight time pressure.
Judges Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge praised the standard of cooking, with Colin calling it “one of the most exciting cooks I’ve seen in a Grand Final in a long time,” and Manu admitting:
“This is the closest Grand Final I can remember.”
Course-by-course
Canapé
Justin and Will’s Smoked Ham Hock and Gruyère Croquette with Sauce Gribiche scored two nines, with Colin noting: “It puts a smile on your face.”
Maria and Bailey’s Olive Oil Tartlet with Taramasalata and Caviar also scored two nines, though both judges felt it was slightly salty.
Seafood
Justin and Will honoured Justin’s father with a South African Pickled Kingfish dish. Manu praised the “explosion of flavour,” though the brioche bun faltered, leading to two eights.
Maria and Bailey’s Lobster and Prawn Raviolo drew praise for effort but lacked seasoning, scoring sevens from each judge.
Meat
Both teams delivered near-perfect plates.
Justin and Will’s Braised Beef Short Rib earned a 10 from Colin and a nine from Manu, who both praised the texture and technique.
Maria and Bailey’s Chicken Ballotine impressed with flawless execution, earning perfect 10s.
Dessert
Both teams achieved full marks.
Justin and Will’s Dubai Chocolate Éclair was described by Colin as: “something I would get in a degustation menu in a restaurant.”
Maria and Bailey’s Red Velvet Cookie with Buttermilk and Greek Yoghurt Sorbet also received straight 10s, with Manu calling the dish “perfect.”
A tight finish and mutual respect
After the result, Bailey paid tribute to his teammate Maria: “We knew we were coming up against tough competition, so to be able to do what we did today is truly incredible.”
Colin summed it up best: “The two best teams cooked here today.”