Kayleigh Bowler, who reached the quarter-finals of the BBC cooking show in 2025, was given a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, at Liverpool Crown Court. She had pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply.
Bowler, 40, told customers via social media that her gourmet burger van, Kayleigh's Bournemouth – Fine Food For The Masses, was closed for a 'van refurb' or a 'family emergency' in August. In reality, she was on a 500-mile round trip to transport 20 kilograms of cannabis.
She was stopped on the M6 near Sandbach, Cheshire, on August 10 after police received a report from a member of the public about a suspicious meeting involving two cars. Officers found 44 vacuum-packed bags containing the drugs in Bowler's vehicle. The court heard that Bowler had agreed to transport the cannabis for £1,000.
Her defense barrister stated that Bowler turned to crime due to financial struggles with her catering business while caring for her two teenage children. She was described as not being a sophisticated or experienced dealer and that her offending was out of character. Bowler has since organized her financial debts and distanced herself from negative influences.
District Judge Jack McGarva acknowledged the seriousness of the offense, noting that drug couriers are a vital part of the supply chain. However, he concluded that Bowler had a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and that sending her to prison risked her children entering care. In addition to the suspended sentence, Bowler was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and up to 20 days of rehabilitation activity.
Bowler, who was chosen from approximately 20,000 entrants for the 2025 MasterChef series, had previously spoken of the show as 'the start of something I’d always longed for.' Despite facing critiques, she advanced to the quarter-finals, impressing judges with her improvisation on a dessert dish.