MasterChef contestant Pete devastated after dishing up raw quail

One MasterChef favourite served the judges raw, inedible poultry last night - and fans are asking how he still sailed through.

After weeks of wildly impressive cooking, MasterChef Australia’s grand finale is here.

But viewers are asking how one of the top three was able to sail through to the grand final after he served the judges raw, inedible quail meat during Monday night’s episode.

Incredibly, judge Mel Leong still scored Pete a generous six out of 10, despite being given a dish of uncooked poultry. She said she was “heartbroken” to have to judge the dish.

Any less cooked and it’d be clucking.

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Fellow judges Andy Allen and Jock Zonfrillo were more generous as their servings weren’t raw, scoring Pete and 9 and a 10 respectively.

But viewers weren’t happy, asking how serving the judges raw meat in MasterChef’s penultimate episode could result in a deduction of just a few points from one judge:

How do you give someone a 6 for serving raw meat… #MasterChefAU

— Brooke H (@chookie94) July 12, 2021

Come on. Raw or undercooked poultry but two judges give Pete 10/10. Not right #MasterChefAU

— Holly Creenaune (@hollycreenaune) July 12, 2021

My god #MasterChefAU 6/10 for raw meat how fudged is the judges scoring

— 🇦🇺🇺🇸🏳️‍🌈 (@leah_unknown) July 12, 2021

Should have got a zero and disqualification for raw poultry. #MasterChefAU

— Paul Cartwright🐯🏆🐯🏆🐯🏆 (@paul3182) July 12, 2021

Since forever in #MasterchefAU, they've said
1. raw poultry is a massive no-no;
2. so is inconsistency of portions.

Now, suddenly, in a final, Pete scores 9 & 10 because two judges were lucky enough not to get the raw piece that the third judge did?

— Karen (@kcIMT122) July 12, 2021

That wasn’t “under”. That was raw. How can you get 6/10 when the central part of the dish is inedible? And then apologise for the score?? Come on. #MasterChefAU

— ObfusCate (@Obfus_Cate) July 12, 2021

As much as I love Petes and Justins cooking, looks like the judges are biased here. Sorry to say Mel has totally lost the https://t.co/Ho2imOiyAj come she gives 6/10 to a totally raw quail over a perfect cooked duck only 9/10 @sonyv_Gal4@seemasvarma@masterchefau#MasterChefAU

— Nitu (@theurbanmamma) July 12, 2021

mel should’ve given him a 5 or 4, seriously raw meat is unacceptable #MasterChefAU

— taylor (@ricepaperrings) July 12, 2021

The winner of the shiny trophy and a quarter-of-a-million dollars will be unveiled tonight after a series of challenges set by judges Leong, Zonfrillo and Allen. We’ll be liveblogging all the action as it happens.

This year, the finale is set over two nights, with top three Kishwar, Justin and Pete competing through gruelling tasks until one is announced victorious with the most points.

On Monday night, the three nervous cooks were first thrown a mystery box with a second kitchen mission set with the help of their families.

But for this season’s pick to take out top prize, Pete Campbell, it looked close to all crumbling down thanks to a raw segment of quail dished up to Melissa.

Cutting into the pink, uncooked meat, the beloved foodie admitted she was “heartbroken” to judge the dish.

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Mel said she was 'heartbroken' by Pete's mistake. Picture: Channel 10.

In round one, some of Australia’s best-known chefs and restaurant owners each selected an ingredient for the mystery box, leaving the contestants with the choice to cook either King George Whiting or duck breast with a range of other weird and wonderful elements.

Pete cooked whiting with kohlrabi, pine mushrooms and Geraldton wax, which was a hit.

Jock gushed over the cook of the fish and the cleverly-balanced broth, while wordsmith Mel described it as “clean, contemplative, modern, refined, sophisticated food.”

Andy labelled it perfect, and the former tattoo artist scored a massive 28/30.

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MasterChef star Pete smashed the first round. Picture: Channel 10.

Kishwar dished up pandan wrapped whiting with mushrooms and kohlrabi salad, but unfortunately her fish was slightly dry. She walked away with 21 points.

For Justin, it was duck breast with passionfruit glaze – but his mushroom accompaniment just missed the mark, so he also scored 21.

In an emotional surprise for the battling chefs, their families were then brought in for support – and to help set the next task.

Their loved ones were called upon to select their round 2 dish ingredients and cooking techniques by picking golden balls out of a bowl.

Justin got ruby grapefruit and “fusion” to play with, serving up a delicate piece of poached fish with a curry broth. He scored 29 out of 30.

Kishwar was landed with white soy sauce and “smoked”, so celebrated her family’s presence by making a traditional smoked rice water with sardines and a salsa. Her creation was a knockout, and she was given three perfect tens for a score of 30.

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Jock was generous with the tens tonight. Picture: Channel 10.

Pete, who was leading the pack after his stellar first cook, began with quince and “steamed”, opting to serve up quail in a quince glaze with mushrooms and steamed asparagus.

He looked set to nail it once again until Mel took her first bit to realise her piece of quail was raw.

“Is that rare or raw?” she asked the others as she sliced the meat, which was clearly far underdone.

Mel was unfortunately unable to eat her quail. Picture: Channel 10.

“I’m heartbroken because I love everything about this dish. Unfortunately, mine is raw,” Mel revealed during judging.

Luckily for Pete, Jock and Andy couldn’t get enough of their pieces, gushing over the sauce and complexity of the cook.

With a ten and a nine from the two judges, and a six from crestfallen Mel, he’s given 26 points and is still ahead.

But as it stands, it’s an extremely tight race, with Kishwar on 50, Justin on 51 and Pete on 53.

Tonight will decipher who will take out the title.

MasterChef Australia concludes Tuesday 7.30pm on Channel 10.