From Stage to Stove: Ginger Johnson's Culinary Triumph on Celebrity MasterChef

From Drag to Culinary Stardom: Ginger Johnson's Unforgettable Journey to MasterChef Glory

The culinary excitement of Celebrity MasterChef Season 20 has come to a thrilling conclusion, crowning its champion after five weeks of intense competition. This year’s finale featured an impressive lineup, including hit Drag Race star Ginger Johnson, rugby icon Alun Wyn Jones, and the charismatic author and broadcaster Dawn O’Porter. Each contestant faced the ultimate challenge: designing a three-course meal that highlighted their growth and creativity in the kitchen, all while vying for the approval of esteemed judges John Torode and Grace Dent. After a nail-biting contest lasting over three hours, the cooking prowess of one contestant shone through, securing them the coveted title.

Ginger Johnson, also known by her real name Donald Marshall, emerged victorious, earning the title of Celebrity MasterChef Champion for 2025. Completing against 14 other notable faces, Ginger’s journey to the top has been nothing short of extraordinary. Upon her victory, she expressed utter disbelief and joy, stating, “I cannot believe this, I’m so shocked. I really thought I was going to come here and have a laugh. I can’t believe this is the end result of the competition. It’s absolutely crazy! I can’t wait to tell my mum and dad. I’ve actually learned a real-life skill!” Ginger’s vibrant personality and undeniable culinary talent made her a standout competitor throughout the season, and her final dishes left a lasting impression.

Throughout the series, judges Torode and Dent praised Ginger for her imaginative and technically challenging creations. Grace Dent raved about Ginger’s performances, noting, “Throughout this entire competition, Ginger has delivered intriguing, inventive, exciting, and imaginative feats. What she’s done is something really impressive.” John Torode echoed these sentiments, highlighting Ginger’s ability to balance fun and flavor: “With all the presentation, all the fun, the laughs, her food tastes delicious, and she's an extraordinary cook. For me, that’s why she is our champion.” Her winning menu illustrated these qualities beautifully.

Ginger's finale menu commenced with a showstopper: a Bloody Mary prawn cocktail, elegantly presented with prawns immersed in a spicy tomato and vodka sauce, complemented by Worcestershire jelly cubes and celery-salted crisps. Judge John Torode hailed it as "showstopping, absolute brilliance." For the main course, Ginger took a classic dish and infused it with her own twist. She served a duck leg and vegetable pie, enveloped in a rich orange-red wine gravy, alongside smoked garlic Hasselback potatoes, purple carrots, and charred baby romanesco. The culmination of her culinary journey was a dramatic Flaming Baked Alaska for dessert, featuring Swiss meringue over sponge, caramelized pineapple, glacé cherries, and vanilla-cherry ice cream, all flambéed to perfection.

Originally hailing from a quaint village in County Durham, Ginger’s venture into drag performance began during her university days. This creative outlet blossomed into a successful career, culminating in her triumph on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season Five in 2023. Embracing the essence of her flamboyant alter ego, Ginger manages to showcase a side of her personality that contrasts with her naturally shy demeanor. Living with her partner Vyv and their two cats, she reflects on her MasterChef experience as transformative, stating, “Being part of this competition has pushed me to be adventurous—bringing the creativity I find in the rest of my life into food. I’ve caught the bug for both cooking and competition.”

Ginger Johnson’s victory not only adds her name to the celebrated roster of previous winners, which includes notable figures like Vito Coppola, Lisa Snowdon, and Kadeena Cox MBE, but also solidifies her status as a multifaceted artist. Her accomplishment serves as a reminder of the high stakes and emotional journeys that unfold in the realm of celebrity cooking competitions. Fans of Celebrity MasterChef can anticipate future seasons filled with more engaging drama, culinary creativity, and inspiring stories as contestants harness their passion to elevate their culinary skills.

As the spotlight on Celebrity MasterChef fades for another year, viewers can reflect on the extraordinary talents and personalities that graced the kitchen this season. Ginger’s story epitomizes the essence of the show—where creativity meets competition, and where the world of celebrity intersects with the craft of cooking. With the culinary landscape constantly evolving, audiences can look forward to more seasons of delicious endeavors, learning experiences, and unforgettable moments. Celebrity MasterChef continues to set the bar high, inspiring both aspiring chefs and fans of the culinary arts alike.

This season has reaffirmed that the world of celebrities is not only about glitz and glam; it is also about hard work, innovation, and the courage to step out of one’s comfort zone. Ginger Johnson, as the newly crowned champion, perfectly encapsulates this spirit, blending her love for cooking with her passion for performance and storytelling. For her, MasterChef has been more than a competition; it has been an opportunity to grow and connect with the audience in new and exciting ways.