MasterChef 2020: Judges face hardest decision yet

A MasterChef frontrunner was almost unravelled by soggy sponge, but it was a fan favourite’s intense dish that sent them home.

The race to the MasterChef finish line is tighter than ever, with the top 6 now decided after a tense elimination challenge.

Melissa Leong, Andy Allen and Jock Zonfrillo faced their most difficult decision yet in Sunday’s emotional episode, with Kiwi contestant Tessa Boersma, 27, ultimately sent packing.

The star, who had presented the judges with a fusion dish of Indian tacos, was devastated as she left the kitchen, wiping away tears as she said her farewells.

But, to the shock of viewers, it was almost dessert king Reynold Poernomo on the chopping block, with the Sydney chef dishing up a space-inspired dessert with dodgy mousse and soggy sponge after an uncharacteristically frazzled day in the kitchen.

Reynold came dangerously close to the chopping block. Picture: Channel 10

But Tessa was ultimately sent home. Picture: Channel 10.

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Round one saw the contestants tasked with perfecting classic dishes, with experimental chef Reynold’s bombe alaska falling flat, Tessa’s fish and chips let down by a caper-less tartare sauce, and Poh’s crème caramel failing to set.

In the second round, the three chefs had 75 minutes to deliver the judges the most innovative, inventive and delicious dish they could think of.

Poh’s street-food inspired lettuce cup and dumpling dish was a clear frontrunner, with both Reynold and Tessa’s plates leaving the judges with a tricky choice.

“There are some elements here that may mean he goes home,” Judge Melissa had said after tasting Reynold’s dessert, before holding her head in her hands and exclaiming: “God, this is so hard.”

Delivering their joint decision, Melissa told the duo: “Both of your dishes had things to love, both of your dishes contained flaws.

Melissa appeared rattled by the tricky choice. Picture: Channel 10

“Tessa; tasted individually, the elements on your plate were delicious – but together, the balance of the dish was disrupted.

“Reynold; your dish was visually out of this world, but there was fault in the texture of the mousse and the sponge was imperfect.”

Reynold’s space-inspired raspberry dessert looked incredible. Picture: Channel 10

Andy Allen weighed in: “We had to refer back to the brief – we were looking for something we’d never seen before,” he said, before telling Tessa it was her time to go given her tacos were more Mexican than Indian in taste.

Tessa's Indian tacos were a "flavour bomb" according to Jock Zonfrillo. Picture: Channel 10.

“Up against Poh and Reynold I was just worried that I wouldn’t cook very well, but I put my heart and soul into it,” Tessa said as she began to cry.

The teary Brisbane-based cooked turned to Reynold and said: “Well done mate you’re amazing, you’re gonna kill it,” before adding to the three new judges: “You’re legends, you’re doing awesome.”

The Brisbane-based chef was sent packing tonight. Picture: Channel 10

Speaking to the camera on her exit, the star she was “devastated” to be going home.

“It’s so devastating not to make it to the end, but I’m just so proud I’ve been able to make it this far.

“I’m so excited to just immerse myself in the industry, I just want to get amongst it,” the returning season 11 star added.

Tessa had previously told news.com.au she found the competition “stressful”.

“We all lose our appetites during challenges (from stress) so we don’t even get to enjoy all the delicious food ourselves,” she said.

When discussing whose skills she was most envious of in the competition, she didn’t hesitate before naming her elimination opponent.

“The way he thinks about flavours and his technique is incredible. He is a perfectionist so its super satisfying to watch him cook and create,” she said of the 26-year-old restaurant owner.

MasterChef: Back to Win continues tomorrow night from 7.30 on Channel 10.