As the 13th series of MasterChef reaches its climax, we look at what the past amateur champions are up to now.

Former freelance food writer Thomasina continued her media career after winning the 2005 series, but this time she was the star of her own Channel 4 programmes and cookery books. She also had a spell at Petersham Nurseries, under the tutelage of celebrated chef Skye Gyngell, before she opened a Mexican restaurant in London called Wahaca. That restaurant has since expanded into a nationwide chain of restaurants, bars and street kitchens.

The former advertising man wrote a book about winning the 2006 edition of MasterChef entitled My Father Could Only Boil Cornflakes before going on to work at celebrated restaurant Le Gavroche. He now cooks at a variety of UK and French restaurants, writes for food magazines, teaches at cookery schools and has appeared on TV shows including The Good Food Show.

The former fashion strategist packed up his bags after winning MasterChef and travelled the world having culinary adventures. He’s put that knowledge to good use as a writer, private chef and flavour consultant. He is now Group Head of Culinary Innovation at Two Sisters Food Group.

After his victory, former barrister James spent time honing his craft at Bentleys Oyster Bar in Piccadilly and the Michael Caine-owned Bath Priory in Bath. He then moved to work as a chef at Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Padstow. He ran his own restaurant The Green Room at the Retallack Resort and Spa in Cornwall, until 2016 and is now executive chef at the St Enodoc Hotel in Cornwall. He also has his own private catering business By James Nathan.

After winning the title, New Zealand-born Mat found it difficult to raise the financial backing to open a restaurant so he went back to his job in IT. But he finally achieved his dream when he opened The Wild Garlic in Beaminster, Dorset in 2009, although the restaurant relocated and subsequently closed in late 2013. He now owns the Bramble Cafe & Deli in Poundbury, Dorset. He's also the author of two recipe books: Fish and Vegetable Perfection.

Mexican-born, Indian-raised Dhruv quit his job in media sales to take part in the 2010 series. Since his win he has worked with Michel Roux Jr at Le Gavroche and at De Librije in Holland, and also cooks for private events. He has also presented on Waitrose TV, is a brand consultant and regularly contributes to numerous publications. He’s now co-owner of catering company Earlsfield Kitchen and the Jolly Gardeners pub in Earlsfield, London. His first recipe collection Spice was published in 2014.

The American-born craft beer bar manager wowed John and Gregg by using elements of Japanese cooking in his dishes. Since he picked up the crown, he’s had stints at Le Gavroche and the Fat Duck and has been an ambassador for Malaysian food. His 'Japanese soul food restaurant' Nanban now has a permanent site in Brixton, London, and he has published a cookbook of the recipes on offer there called (perhaps unsurprisingly) Nanban: Japanese Soul Food.

Following her victory in MasterChef 2012, mango-loving former charity worker Shelina has been sharing her take on Mauritian cooking on TV, at events such as the BBC Good Food Show and on the menu at Michelin-starred restaurant Benares. Her first book, Sunshine On A Plate, was published in June 2013 and her second, The Sunshine Diet, was published in January 2015. And she has opened a "Mauritian street food kitchen" called Lakaz Maman in her home city of Southampton.

Natalie Coleman has totally abandoned her life as a former credit controller/techno DJ. After winning MasterChef, Natalie worked at some of the UK's most renowned restaurants (including Le Gavroche, the Gilbert Scott and the Hand & Flowers) and appeared on various TV shows. She published her first cookbook Winning Recipes: For Every Day in 2014 and now teaches children's cookery classes in schools and adults at cookery schools in London and is head chef at the Winchmore pub in North London.

Malaysian-born Ping Coombes was made redundant shortly before being invited onto the show. Since her victory, she has run street food classes and appeared at food festivals, through her company Ping's Pantry. She is now the executive chef of Chi Kitchen, the pan-Asian restaurant in Debenhams's London Oxford Street store and in Birmingham, and is holding pop-up events around Bath. In May 2016, she released her first cookbook, Malaysia: Recipes from a Family Kitchen.

Data manager Simon Wood fought off fierce competition to win the 2015 edition of MasterChef. Judge Gregg Wallace said that he had "no doubt" that Simon would secure a professional career in the food industry. Since winning, he's been Executive Chef at his beloved local football club Oldham Athletic, became Lancashire Life's food columnist, and is about to open his first restaurant, Wood, in Manchester. His first recipe book At Home With Simon Wood was published in April 2016.

As reigning champ, mother-of-four Jane has moved onwards and upwards. She has created her own website and posts recipes and blogs about her culinary triumphs. In January this year she spent a week in London's Mayfair at Michel Roux Jr's two Michelin-starred restaurant Le Gavroche and is popping up at various other restaurants and festivals.