Khumri secured the title after two rounds of cooking, competing against four fellow finalists in the competition for chefs working in independent foodservice.
Adam Hills, head chef at Fancett’s Bistro in Cambridge, finished as runner-up, receiving a £1,000 cash prize.
The other finalists were Stefan Wesley of The Moorings in Alderney, Laszlo Lukacs of Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest, and Jacek Macienko of JM Chefs Table.
Khumri’s winning dish, duck breast en portefeuille, featured duck breast filled with a sage-seasoned duck farce, served with butternut squash and potato pommes Anna, charred and braised leeks, a Heinz Korean BBQ and pomegranate sauce, and a crispy kimchi-inspired Brussels sprout salad.
Alongside £5,000 and PR support, Khumri will co-host a supper club with chef and competition partner James Cochran at Mission Kitchen in London on Thursday 19 November.
Now in its second year, Masters of the Menu is delivered by Kraft Heinz Away From Home in partnership with Cochran and the Craft Guild of Chefs.
The final challenged all five chefs to prepare their own Heinz Hero Dish, before the top two progressed to a mystery challenge.
The judging panel assessed flavour, technical execution, originality and use of Heinz, presentation, and ingredient optimisation and waste.
Joining Cochran on the judging panel were Ian Nottage, Martin Eshelby and 2025 Masters of the Menu winner Stefan Sewell.
“I’m incredibly proud to have won Masters of the Menu,” says Khumri. “It’s been a brilliant opportunity to challenge myself, meet other chefs and learn from people with so much experience.”
Ahead of the cook-off, the finalists attended a mentorship day at the Heinz Test Kitchen at The Shard on 29 September, where they received advice from experienced chefs and refined their dishes.
“Winning this competition means delivering your own dish under pressure, then adapting when a completely new challenge is put in front of you,” says Cochran. “Ammar should be really proud of what he’s achieved.”
Tom Franklin, UK and Ireland Kraft Heinz Away From Home director, says: “Masters of the Menu is about giving those chefs recognition, practical support and opportunities beyond the competition itself.”
The November supper club will see Khumri collaborate with Cochran on a menu showcasing his ideas and influences.