A betting plunge that seemed to hint at the eventual MasterChef winner has proven remarkably accurate.
Justin Narayan was crowned king of the MasterChef kitchen on Tuesday night, more than two months after he became a clear favourite in several betting markets.
The 27-year-old emerged as a favourite to win ‘within a few hours’ of the finale’s filming on May 12, and has remained so ever since, according to a recent report by The Australian.
Open secret? Justin Narayan was crowned king of the MasterChef kitchen on Tuesday night, more than two months after he became a clear favourite in several betting markets
Recently, betting agency Sportsbet had Narayan listed as the most likely winner with odds of $1.28.
Kishwar Chowdhury was in second place at $5.50, followed in third place by Pete Campbell at $7.00.
The popularity of Narayan, who had not previously been a favourite to win, had raised some suspicions among fans when the May betting plunge occurred.
The Australian reported that ‘within a few hours of the end of the filming’ Justin emerged as a favourite to win, leading to rumours of a leak, with claims the production is ‘attempting to get to the bottom of the unusual betting activity’.
Dropped: The 27-year-old emerged as a favourite to win ‘within a few hours’ of the finale’s filming on May 12, according to a recent report by The Australian. Pictured: Runner-up Pete Campbell
A Sportsbet spokesman confirmed to the paper that there had been ‘a lot of cash coming for Justin’.
While a spokesman for Channel Ten told the publication: ‘All will be revealed when the 2021 MasterChef Australia winner is crowned during the finale on Tuesday night.’
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Sportsbet and Channel Ten for further comment.
Second favourite: Kishwar Chowdhury (pictured) was in second place in betting markets at $5.50, followed in third place by Pete Campbell at $7.00
The betting plunge proved to be prescient when Narayan won during the show’s suspenseful finale on Tuesday.
Justin was elated after picking up the top prize, beating out fellow finalists Kishwar Chowdhury and Pete Campbell.
He took home a whopping $250,000 in prize money, along with the coveted MasterChef trophy.
Winner’s grin: Narayan won the title of this year’s MasterChef during the show’s suspenseful finale on Tuesday
‘I feel incredibly honoured and humbled to have that title and to be able to win this competition,’ the stunned cook began.
‘I’m genuinely going to take a week to process this and let it sink in, and then I’ll, like, write you an email, let you know how I feel.’
A gracious Justin congratulated both Kishwar, 38, and Pete, praising them for making it through to the final.
First place: Justin was elated after picking up the top prize, beating out fellow finalists Kishwar Chowdhury and Pete Campbell
‘First of all, I would like to commend Kish and Pete for being the most incredible people to cook with,’ he began.
‘Kish, you’re an incredible cook and you should be so proud.’
Addressing Pete, 36, Justin said he thought of him as a ‘big brother’, after the two men formed a close friendship throughout the competition.
Grateful: An emotional Justin thanked his proud parents, and said he was ‘very grateful for everything you guys have sacrificed and given to me to be here, to have these opportunities’
Oops: Awkwardly, Justin needed to be reminded by judge Jock Zonfrillo to thank his fiancée, Esther, who was standing right beside him
Runner-up: A gracious Justin congratulated both Kishwar Chowdhury and Pete Campbell (pictured), praising them for making it through to the final
‘First of all, I would like to commend Kish and Pete for being the most incredible people to cook with,’ he began. Pictured, finalist Kishwar Chowdhury
‘Pete, I look up to you in so many ways, you’re like my big brother. I definitely wouldn’t be here today without your encouragement, without your support,’ he added.
Although he didn’t take out the top spot, Pete won $30,000 for coming in second, while Kishwar, who placed third in the competition, won $20,000.
An emotional Justin then turned and thanked his proud parents, and said he was ‘very grateful for everything you guys have sacrificed and given to me to be here, to have these opportunities’.
‘Find people that believe in you. Back yourself. Go hard and hopefully you’ll surprise yourself! Whoever’s reading this I love you,’ he wrote on Instagram