COLLEGE lecturer Gary Maclean has scooped the top title of MasterChef.

The 45-year-old teacher at City of Glasgow college knocked out rivals Elly Wentworth and Matt Healy in the culinary showdown, creating an astounding dish which wowed the judges.

Gregg Wallace joined Michelin-starred chef Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti to judge the final cook off, before crowing Gary the winner.

The talented chef put together an impressive three course meal in just three hours, drawing from inspiration he gained while getting to work in a three star Norwegian restaurant.

Dad-of-five Gary told the Evening Times earlier this week that he would not be giving up his job as a lecturer if he won the contest, and joked that his class attendance would go up.

He said the contest had been "incredible" and a "great experience", admitting he was a "MasterChef nerd" who had applied for the show twice before he was finally selected to appear.

Over the last seven weeks, 48 of Britain’s most ambitious and determined chefs put their reputations on the line to battle for the MasterChef: The Professionals title.

Gary previously impressed the judging panel and most recently three Michelin-starred chef Esben Holmboe Bang, of Oslo's Maaemo restaurant.

While working at the Norwegian restaurant he crated a dish inspired by his youth and was praised by chef Esben.

He combined luxury Mahogany clams, gooseberries and pickled onion with a sauce made form the fish stock, explaining:"Gooseberries were the only thing that would grow in my garden at home."

Chef Esben praised the dish, saying: " I really, really like it. The clam tastes of clam, you have all these sweet and acidic notes coming through and the buttery sauce makes it luxurious. You took what we do and made it your own. I'm very impressed."