7 days ago
Nail-biting MasterChef Australia semi-final sees shock elimination as the two going head-to-head in grand finale are revealed: 'Just missed out'
MasterChef Australia is heading for the grand finale on Tuesday night.
And on Monday, the contestant kicked out just short of vying for the Back To Win crown was revealed.
Laura Sharrad, Callum Hann and Jamie Fleming went head-to-head in a challenge that required them to make a three-course menu for 20 people.
In the end, it was Jamie who fell short, after his overly ambitious menu left him having to make multiple substitutions to finish on time.
Upon being eliminated, Jamie was modest in defeat, telling the judges that he understood he could have performed better.
'I always thought to beat either one of these two, I had to absolutely swing for the fences in both technique and flavour and concept,' he said.
'I think I missed the mark a little bit. But as a concept, that whole menu, like, the excitement that I felt from you guys, the excitement I felt writing it, that was pretty phenomenal. And I'm very proud,' he went on.
'I can't thank this process enough. But to share this experience with these two? Amazing.'
While he missed out on the $250,000 prize and the MasterChef crown, Jamie did win $10,000 in travel vouchers.
In an interview with Channel Ten after the episode was filmed, Jamie, who came fourth on the sixth season of MasterChef Australia in 2014, said his family gave him strength throughout the competition.
'Once I got into the semi-final I definitely started to think about and imagine my partner, Clare, and the kids up on the gantry supporting me,' he said.
'As it stands, we just missed out so… give me a decade and if they do another Back To Win and I get invited, we'll see.'
He added: 'Even though the disappointment was there, I was still proud of what I did.'
On social media, Jamie further reflected on his journey.
'I cook to nourish and I cook because it gives me a chance to share and learn from other people and cultures,' he wrote.
'Simple food, beautiful produce, served with purpose and restraint. That's me. And ironically it's taken coming back to this place to remember that,' he said.
'I think that stripping back of ingredients is certainly the cooking I love, I think that is beautiful cooking.
'So the fact that I sort of came the long way around to figure that out, and figure out that's not just what I like eating but it's how I like to cook and celebrate the ingredients, I think that it was a big thing and I'm happy it happened.'
Despite being happy to make the grand finale alongside fellow fan favourite Laura, an emotional Callum said he felt bad for Jamie.
'I'm really chuffed to be in the finale, but it's, like, at the expense of this guy. It doesn't quite feel as good as maybe I'd hoped,' Callum admitted.
'I think the friendships we've made over the course of the last few months... I want to reserve happiness for maybe a little bit later.
'I think this is a moment to celebrate how good this guy's been in the competition so far.'
