Vito Coppola Triumphs in Celebrity MasterChef 2024

Vito Coppola, a professional dancer known for his appearances on Strictly Come Dancing, has emerged as the winner of Celebrity MasterChef 2024. The 31-year-old Italian contestant captivated judges with his Italian-inspired menu, overcoming challenges from presenter Craig Doyle, 53, and actress Rochenda Sandall, 35, in the intense final.

The final’s highlight was Coppola’s special dessert, reminiscent of a cherished family recipe, which he dedicated to his mother and grandmother. Expressing his disbelief and joy, Coppola exclaimed, “I cannot believe it! Look at the trophy. It’s so beautiful.” Emphasizing his love for food, he stated, “People think that food is just food, but no, I keep saying food is life. It’s the first love of my life, food, and I cannot just wait to share all of this with my family.”

Throughout the competition, Coppola impressed judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace with his culinary skills. Torode praised Coppola, saying, “Vito came into this competition with a purpose. He wanted to show us his life on a plate, what he’s grown up with, the food he loves, and why he loves it, and what he’s done is made us love it too.” Meanwhile, Wallace admired his creativity, noting, “He’s in love with creativity. He is something quite special.”

The final week posed a series of challenges for the contestants, including managing the lunch service on the luxurious British Pullman train and creating a dish inspired by someone special in their lives. One of the most daunting tasks was The Chef's Table, where they had to impress a group of culinary experts, including a double Michelin-starred chef.

In the ultimate test, contestants were required to prepare their “Ultimate Dinner Party Menu.” Coppola presented a main course of Scialatielli Allo Scoglio, a seafood pasta dish, and a dessert named Babà Di Vito, consisting of a rum-soaked cake, marsala wine cream, and cherries in syrup.

Reflecting on his menu, Coppola shared personal anecdotes about family meals in Positano, which inspired his dish choices. The heartfelt connection to his heritage resonated with viewers and judges alike.

Celebrity MasterChef fans took to social media platform X to express their joy over Coppola’s victory, describing it as “well deserved” and “a beautiful moment.” His journey on the show has earned him a place among previous winners such as Wynne Evans and Lisa Snowdon.

The path to victory wasn’t without controversy. In the lead-up to the final, some fans were upset when competitor Harry Aikines-Aryeetey was eliminated despite Craig Doyle’s culinary mishap, where he accidentally used salt instead of sugar in his dessert. Nonetheless, Coppola’s dedication and passion in the series led to his triumphant win.