Sophie Sugrue, the runner-up on MasterChef's 2025 season, made history as the show's first-ever vegan finalist. Competing with 60 other chefs, Sugrue impressed judges with her unique and plant-based dishes, such as a chamomile and agave leek tarte tatin and cola-braised short rib tacos. Sugrue expressed gratitude for the opportunity to showcase vegan cuisine on a large platform like MasterChef.

Sugrue, who has been vegan for over a decade, cited ethics as the driving force behind her plant-based diet. Inspired by her late father and motivated by a desire to no longer consume animals, Sugrue has continued to explore and expand her plant-based cooking skills. Moving forward, Sugrue plans to share her love for plant-based food through recipes, pop-ups, collaborations, and private dining experiences, promising exciting projects in the near future.