Ginger Johnson is redefining Christmas dinner this year. Just two years after dazzling the nation to win RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, she’s conquered another challenge, claiming the coveted title of Celebrity MasterChef 2025. It’s a victory that demands a special celebration, a step up from her usual steak and chips for two – plus the cats.
From her Battenburg-patterned kitchen, a space so meticulously charming it resembles a doll’s house, Ginger radiates a joyful energy. She laughs easily, a sound as bright as her signature copper wig. Cooking, she admits, was a world away from her before the competition, a skill she’d barely touched.
But Ginger has always loved *eating*. A lifelong passion for food fueled her determination. While life on tour after Drag Race meant limited access to even a microwave, she embraced YouTube tutorials, a slightly chaotic process that resulted in breaking four pasta machines.
The dedication was remarkable, even including practice sessions in full drag. A frantic trip to Argos for yet another pasta maker – dough proving too tough for the machine – perfectly encapsulates the commitment. She genuinely didn’t expect to progress far, let alone win.
“I was absolutely astounded,” she recalls, her voice filled with disbelief. “I couldn’t believe it. I think the first words that came out of my mouth were, ‘Are you sure?’” The intensity of the competition had left her humbled, echoing the surprise she felt when crowned on Drag Race. Perhaps, she muses, she underestimates herself.
Ginger’s journey to victory wasn’t just about culinary skill; it was about personality. Judges Grace Dent and John Torode were captivated by her wit and charm as much as her ‘70s-inspired menu, which secured her win over formidable competitors.
This year’s MasterChef also marked a significant change with Grace Dent as host. Ginger immediately felt a connection, declaring Dent “an absolute queen.” That energy, she says, empowered her to bring her best to the kitchen, a space Dent now confidently owns.
Ginger isn’t the first drag queen to enter the MasterChef kitchen – sisters from Drag Race UK have all taken on the challenge – but she is the first to win globally. She’s acutely aware of the negativity some faced simply for being in drag, but refuses to let it deter her.
“What other people think of me is none of my business,” she states firmly, echoing RuPaul’s wisdom. She focuses on the overwhelming support and the powerful representation her presence on prime-time television provides. There simply isn’t time for negativity.
With the MasterChef trophy now proudly displayed on her kitchen windowsill, Ginger is embracing life’s opportunities. Her comedy tour, Show Pony, launches in 2026, and she’s open to new TV adventures – with a few reservations.
Strictly Come Dancing? “That might end up being a bit of a humiliation ritual,” she admits with a grimace. But The Traitors, with its Scottish castle and strategic gameplay, sounds far more appealing. And then there’s Taskmaster, a show she’s long admired.
“They’ve never had a drag queen winner,” she grins, a mischievous glint in her eye. “So maybe the Taskmaster trophy is number three.” Beyond television, Ginger is diving into the world of food content, recently sharing her ranking of every high street Christmas sandwich.
“I’ve really caught the bug now,” she says, her kitchen transformed into a vibrant 1970s dream. Expect to see more cooking adventures online, a new chapter unfolding for the queen of both drag and the kitchen.
