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WA visit on menu for winning chef

Kalbarri-raised chef Rhys Badcock was crowned Australia's first Professional MasterChef last night and he says that he is planning a trip back to WA to see his mum.

The down-to-earth chef, who splits his time between Byron Bay and Broome, beat out culinary rivals Sarah Knights and Rhett Willis.

He won a $200,000 cash prize and a trip around the world to gain experience in some of the world's best kitchens alongside the world's best chefs.

Inspired to audition for the Ten reality cooking show by his friends and family, Badcock said he entered MasterChef: The Professionals to challenge himself and learn new things rather to get his 15 minutes of fame.

"It's all still a bit surreal, I suppose," he said. "I never thought I'd end up here, I'm absolutely stoked."

From a troubled youth, Badcock, who moved from Queensland to WA after his parents separated, credits his mum and the kitchen for "pretty much saving my life".

Though a self-proclaimed country boy - "I'm not much of a city kid" - Badcock hasn't rule out making a permanent return to WA, where his mother and three siblings live, now the show has wrapped up.

"I'll probably go back (to WA) and work on the boat again, " he said. "I'd like to have my own restaurant eventually but whatever comes with it, I'll have a crack at."