Vinnie Gibaldi wins MasterChef Australia 2026

Vinnie Gibaldi has won MasterChef Australia 2026, defeating Petro Papathomas in the Grand Finale to claim the title and $250,000 in prize money.

The finale featured a mystery box challenge followed by a pressure test set by pastry chef Cherish Finden, with Gibaldi finishing on 80 points to Papathomas' 67.

READ MORE: Network 10 axes ‘I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!’

READ MORE: Australian Ninja Warrior Returns to Network 10 in 2027

Pressure test decides title

In the opening challenge, Gibaldi recovered after overcooking his duck by replacing it with a hibachi flathead dish, giving him a five-point lead heading into the final round.

The finalists then tackled Finden's Chinese Afternoon Tea pressure test, recreating a multi-component dessert over five hours.

Papathomas scored highly for his black sesame cheesecake teapot, while Gibaldi's mandarin petit gâteau helped secure the overall win.

After being announced the winner, Gibaldi said: "I don't really have any words to be honest, I feel like that's just insane! I couldn't have imagined it from the first day, but I am so, so grateful for absolutely everything that I have experienced here, all the friends that I have made, all the people I've met and just how far I've come. I couldn't have done it without all the support from everyone."

He added: "I'm so proud of you, man, and honestly, it was just a blast cooking alongside you this whole time, every time, every cook.”

Papathomas said: “I'm really happy for Vinnie; he's worked really hard, and he deserves it. I'm very proud of what I've done throughout the competition; I just missed the mark today.”

Gibaldi receives $250,000 as the winner of MasterChef Australia 2026.

Papathomas takes home $40,000 as runner-up, while Aaron receives $10,000 for finishing third.