In a heart-stopping grand finale that came down to a single point, New South Wales fathers Justin and Will have been crowned the My Kitchen Rules 2025 champions, defeating rivals Maria and Bailey in one of the closest finishes in the show's history.
Victory Sealed With Golden Eclairs
The proud dads scored an impressive 73 out of 80 points, edging out their competitors by just one life-changing point after an intense cook-off that saw both teams serve 100 plates across four demanding courses. Their winning menu showcased exceptional technique and creativity, blending heritage influences with fine dining and trending ingredients.
Justin and Will's standout moment came during their dessert course, where their entirely original creation - the Dubai chocolate éclair - became their ticket to victory. The milk chocolate bar filled with pistachio cream and crispy kataifi pastry not only impressed judges but was designed with social media virality in mind.
"We just wanted to go viral on TikTok," Justin joked to 7NEWS.com.au after their win, though the dish's sophisticated flavours proved it was much more than just an internet sensation.
Emotional Journey and Family Sacrifices
The competition took an emotional toll on both fathers, who admitted the experience meant significant time away from their families. "The competition is hard but being away from the family is harder," Justin revealed, describing the stress of missing their children and wives who held down the fort during filming.
Will broke down during the intense final service after narrowly completing their third course - rosemary braised beef short rib - with only seconds remaining. "I was just overwhelmed," he admitted. "But it was joy too."
Having their families present for the finale provided much-needed support and motivation. Will described how his mother kept them updated on time from the balcony, while both men expressed how meaningful it was to finally showcase their skills to loved ones after months of communication limited to phone and video calls.
Future Plans and Lasting Friendship
The $100,000 prize money will provide crucial support for their children and allow them to treat their wives for their unwavering support during the competition. Both winners have exciting plans to explore food-related careers, with Justin having recently sold his gym to pursue opportunities in the culinary world.
Will, who works in youth homelessness, said the MKR experience has inspired him to consider food-related career paths. "We definitely want to pursue something in the food space and travel," he revealed, mentioning a potential food truck venture among their ideas.
Reflecting on their partnership, both men emphasized how their friendship strengthened throughout the competition. "He is my wingman, and I couldn't have asked for a better partner," Justin said of Will, who in turn praised his teammate's growing confidence and culinary skills.
The emotional moment of victory saw Justin covering Will in celebratory kisses, a genuine reaction to their hard-fought achievement. "We made our kids proud, we made ourselves proud," Justin concluded. "That's amazing."
