For tonight’s grand final, the two teams had to each create a canape, a seafood course, a meat course and a dessert. It was a variation from last year’s decider, with canapes replacing entrees.
I heard one of the eliminated contestants say tonight “karma is a not very nice lady". Not allowed to say “karma is a bitch"? 
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Colin actually asked Michael to come down to the kitchen to give both teams some tips 
I’ve had a gut feeling Justin and Will will win it this year for a few weeks now, still looking that way to me.
Justin and Will crowned MKR champions
Faultless flavours win Grand Final by one life-changing point
Tonight on Seven and 7plus, Justin and Will were crowned kings of the kitchen, taking the coveted MKR title and $100,000 prize money after the closest Grand Final in MKR history.
The proud dads scored 73 out of 80, with just one life-changing point separating them from runners-up Maria and Bailey.
Overcome with emotion after their win, Will said: “I can’t believe we’ve won the title.” Justin admitted: “I can’t stop shaking.”
Looking up to his family and friends watching up, Will wiped away tears, sharing: “I’m lost for words. To have our families with us, we hope we did them proud.”
Added Justin: “We’ve accomplished what we’ve set out to do. We made our kids proud; we made ourselves proud. That’s amazing.”
It was an emotional Grand Final even before teams started cooking, as Justin acknowledged the time spent away from their wives and young children for MKR.
Justin said: “It’s a long time we’ve been away from our kids, so having them here is going to give me that extra drive to get through. We’ve sacrificed our family life to be here in this competition.”
Both teams left nothing behind, cooking four courses – canape, seafood, meat and dessert – totalling 100 plates of food as they battled the Kitchen HQ clock.
Judges Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge praised both teams as Colin noted it was “one of the most exciting cooks I’ve seen in a Grand Final in a long time”, admitting “we don’t take the decision lightly”.
Ahead of revealing the scores, Manu admitted: “This is the closest Grand Final I can remember.”
Justin and Will’s menu showcased outstanding flavours and techniques, combining heritage, fine dining and showcasing on-trend ingredients in their dessert.
Maria and Bailey’s menu was elegant and sophisticated, “with a little splash of Maria and Bailey”.
After the result, a proud Bailey praised 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.”
Justin and Will’s canapé of Smoked Ham Hock and Gruyère Croquette with Sauce Gribiche was praised for its “perfect flavour” even though the sauce slightly split. Colin said: “It puts a smile on your face,” as both judges scored the dish a nine.
Maria and Bailey’s “magic” canapé of Olive Oil Tartlet with Taramasalata and Caviar also scored two nines, though both judges noted it was slightly salty.
Justin and Will’s seafood course – a South African Pickled Kingfish with Brioche and Green Papaya Chutney – was a tribute to Justin’s dad, watching on.
Emotional, Justin said: “As a dad, you want your kids to always look up to you, as I look up to my dad. If I can be half the man that that man is up there, my job’s done.”
Manu commended the “explosion of flavour”, admitting: “I’ve never had anything like that before.” Unfortunately, the brioche bun did not rise, as both judges scored the dish an eight.
Maria and Bailey’s Lobster and Prawn Raviolo with Lobster Butter Emulsion was praised for the amount of work that went into it. Still, the dish was missing seasoning and Colin noted “the stress of the cook also showed on the plate” scoring a seven from both judges.
Both teams were tested to their very limits in the meat course, but their efforts were rewarded with almost perfect scores all around.
Maria broke down in tears, comforted by Colin, as they raced against the clock to cook their chicken. Will was overcome with emotion at the bench as Justin reassured him: “Your sweat, your blood, you put everything into it.”
Justin and Will chose Red Wine and Rosemary Braised Beef Short Rib with Parsnip Purée and Beets for their meat course. “What a dish” exclaimed Manu. Both judges praised the meat falling off the bone, only noting the sauce could have been reduced more. Colin loved the “earthy and beautiful” plate, scoring a 10, as Manu scored a nine.
Maria and Bailey’s “excellent” Chicken Ballotine with Potato Mash and Chicken Jus Gras scored a perfect 10 from both judges, who commended the technique and flavour.
Dessert was an extraordinary feat from both teams, each receiving perfect 10s from both Manu and Colin.
Justin and Will’s “incredible” Dubai Chocolate Éclair was a standout. Colin praised: “It looked like something I would get in a degustation menu in a restaurant.”
Manu said: “You guys really push yourselves to the limits and thought about all the little details to finish your four-course meal.”
Maria and Bailey finished their courses with Red Velvet and Cream Cheese Cookie with Buttermilk and Greek Yoghurt Sorbet. Manu praised how the “perfect” elements worked together as Colin noted: “The two best teams cooked here today.”
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Justin and Will’s cooking had been consistently good over the season so they deserved to win.
EDIT: the scoring breakdown was:
Maria and Bailey (72 out of 80)
Canapes - Manu 9, Colin 9
Seafood course - Manu 7, Colin 7
Meat course - Manu 10, Colin 10
Dessert - Manu 10, Colin 10
Justin and Will (73 out of 80)
Canapes - Manu 9, Colin 9
Seafood course - Manu 8, Colin 8
Meat course - Manu 9, Colin 10
Dessert - Manu 10, Colin 10
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My Kitchen Rules cooks up ratings storm
Season reaches 9.4 million Australians, highest rated since 2019
Australia’s #1 cooking show, My Kitchen Rules, has served up its biggest audience since 2019, with more than 9.4 million people watching the 2025 season on Seven and 7plus.
Last night’s Grand Final, which saw Justin and Will claim victory over Maria and Bailey, reached more than 2.29 million Australians, with an average total TV audience of 1.17 million – up 4% on the 2024 Grand Final and the highest rated since 2019. On 7plus, 185,000 people tuned in, which was up 58% year-on-year.
MKR is Seven’s biggest entertainment format in 2025, with an average of 966,000 people tuning in on Seven and 7plus each episode – up 5% year-on-year and the highest since 2019. The streaming audience is up 98% and has more than tripled since 2022.
MKR joins a growing list of Seven Network entertainment programs which have recorded total TV audience growth in 2025, including RFDS (up 34% year-on-year) Australian Idol (up 15% year-on-year), The Rookie (up 16% year-on-year), The 1% Club (up 11% year-on-year), Home and Away (up 7% year-on-year) and The Front Bar (up 6% year-on-year).
Seven Network’s Director of Content, Unscripted, Majella Hay, said: “My Kitchen Rules is the perfect recipe for ratings success – with real food, incredible home cooks and fantastic judges serving up the highest rated series in six years.
“A huge thank you to Manu and Colin, our talented contestants and everyone at Seven and ITV Studios for creating such an outstanding series of MKR. We can’t wait to dish up even more of Australia’s favourite cooking show in 2026.”
Seven’s National Television Sales Director, Katie Finney, said: “This season of My Kitchen Rules once again proved why it is the perfect platform for brands to connect with audiences in the kitchen, delivering audience growth for our sponsors and partners.
“This year’s season served up cherished family recipes and bold new twists on traditional favourites, with home cooks bringing passion and creativity to every plate – and Australia loved every moment.
“A big thank you to Spotlight, Woolworths, Ninja, Schweppes and Toscano for partnering with MKR in 2025. Through seamless integration, these brands helped contestants bring their culinary visions to life and inspired audiences to do the same at home,” she said.
MKR is produced for Seven by ITV Studios Australia and will return to Seven and 7plus next year.
(also includes the video of the men’s appearance on Sunrise today)
Meanwhile, Rielli has posted more BTS photos on her Instagram, taken from her time on the show this year.
https://www.instagram.com/rielliportegys_/p/DRHWeEAEggs/?hl=en
One of the photos shows the set in Sydney where the contestants do the narration following the instant restaurants and cooking challenges. Look at how low the ceiling is.
Another photo shows the eliminated teams on the balcony at kitchen HQ set during the filming of the grand final.
I really which they would not use the reach figures they are misleading.
He surely needs to be axed from both MKR and BH&G and kicked off the network for this.
It’s not a good look but he’s certainly not the only person on television who has a drug habit.
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I fully understand that perspective, however Seven cannot reasonably defend him or his actions. They have faced similar situations involving other personalities in the past and, in each case, took every possible step to make the issue disappear.
Cutting his contract is the only consistent course of action and would allow MKR to move forward without further controversy.
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Yea it’s the driving that’s the really bad look.
Coke…well, it’s not legal but he wouldn’t be the first or last media personality to have a hoon on the nose beers.
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Colin’s charge of driving under the influence was briefly mentioned on 7News Melbourne tonight. The report did not say about his role on MKR or Better Homes and Gardens.
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Seven would quietly be upset, given he was the replacement for a guy who had a monumental fall from grace
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The new season doesn’t start until September, I believe. Assuming everything goes smoothly in court, he will return.
Hardly anyone will remember this by then.
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At least we knew Manu will have to keep doing the driving if there is another series of “Off The Grid!” (I never saw Colin driving in the last series anyway).