Pete causes huge panic with MasterChef judge Melissa Leong

In a service challenge, Pete has a very close-call with a hot tray of octopus that has Mel in a state of panic.

There’s not greater fear on MasterChef than dropping your food on the floor, something that very nearly happens to contestant Pete during Monday’s episode.

The home cook takes a full tray of octopus out of the oven, only to nearly drop the entire thing on the ground.

It looks amazing, but as he goes to remove the tray, he nicks the corner of the wall, and almost loses grip of the entire tray.

Mel’s face says it all – she it left flustered at the near miss she’s just witnessed.

Pete is very close to dropping an entire tray of cooked octopus. Picture: Channel 10

Mel witnesses the near-crash, and her face says it all. Picture: Channel 10

Thankfully, Pete grabs the tray and doesn’t let it drop.

Pete’s left with an amazing tray of octopus that he is incredibly happy with.

“I’m really stoked with the octopus, it’s cooked perfectly and the flavour is incredible,” he tells the camera.

Monday’s service challenge takes place at Three Blue Ducks at URBNSURF Melbourne, owned by MasterChef’s very own Andy Allen.

Right next to Australia’s very first wave pool, the remaining 10 contestants are split into teams.

Thankfully, the home cook saves his tray. Picture: Channel 10

On the Blue Surf Team are Pete, Depinder Scott and Sabina with captain Elise - and they have to work with seafood. The Green Turf Team, of Kishwar, Minoli, Tommy and Linda are captained by Justin and they need to work with meat.

They are fighting for a chance to win their way into the biggest Immunity challenge MasterChef Australia has ever seen. They have three and a half hours to plan, prep and cook shared entrées, two shared mains and two shared sides to 80 diners, plus Jock and Mel.

The Turf Team decide on a Middle Eastern inspired menu. Minoli is in charge of a spiced lamb rib, a spice yoghurt and tabouleh entree, Tommy takes on the charcoal chicken main, Kishwar is doing ras el hanout beef cheeks for their second main and a baba ganoush and flatbread side, and Linda will do a grain salad with a glazed roast pumpkin.

The Surf Team take inspiration from Mexico with Pete doing a braised octopus entree, mains of whole baked flounder and butterflied prawns with a salsa, Depinder suggests green Mexican rice with grilled pineapple for a side and Sabina will do a charred corn with a tamarind chipotle ketchup.