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Mat Follas has been crowned the winner of MasterChef 2009.

After six weeks of heats, a week of gruelling semi-finals and a week of finals, Mat Follas was awarded his trophy by judges and presenters John Torode and Gregg Wallace.

Mat said: "My final three courses were very personal and incorporated my love of food, foraging and catching great ingredients. I'm humbled and proud that my dishes won such an amazing competition.

"It's been a fantastic experience and I've learnt an enormous amount. Although, at times, I have never worked so hard in all my life, it's been great fun and, yes I hope it will change my life!"

John Torode said of Mat: "Mat came in here and absolutely wowed us with food which was extraordinary in both presentation and flavour."

Gregg Wallace said: "There is now no doubting the absolute originality and brilliance of Mat. The guy is cooking his own style. He is absolutely superb."

Mat Follas, 42, beat fellow finalists Andy Oliver and Chris Gates to the title.

Mat's winning menu consisted of a starter of Trio of Wild Rabbit, a main course of Spider Crab with Hand Cut Chips and Sea Vegetables, and a dessert of Lavender Mousse with Hokey Pokey and a Blackberry Sauce.

Mat is an IT engineer from Beaminster, Dorset and is married with three children.

Front Desk Publicity