Episode 85

Kate and Michael arrived at the MasterChef kitchen for the final time and were told the format of finale: it would be fought over three rounds, each scored, with a possible 100 points per finalist up for grabs.
The first round was a Mystery Box Challenge over 45 minutes, with the finalists having to select and prepare something from each box before moving onto the next. Michael chose to make a steak and oyster pie, while Kate made pan-fried Balmain bugs and crab and rémoulade salad. Michael raced through the boxes, but Kate struggled with getting her crabmeat ready, eating into valuable time. Michael scored an 8 from George and 9 from Gary, and Kate a 7 and an 8, giving Michael the early advantage.
The second round was an Invention Test, with the finalists having to produce something that represented how far they’d come in the competition. They had 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete their dishes. Michael made a butter-poached lobster with fennel, Kate a roasted breast of quail. Both finalists progressed well, although Michael’s decision to leave the tails on his leeks and add extra champagne to his sauce were ill advised. The scoring saw Kate racing back, with 9s across the board, but Michael could only manage two 8s and a 7.

The final Pressure Test round welcomed one of the world’s best chefs, René Redzepi, to the kitchen, who lifted a cloche to reveal the supremely technical ‘Snowman’ dessert the finalists would need to make. Featuring meringue, yoghurt and carrot sorbet amongst its many elements, this was undoubtedly one of the trickiest dishes ever seen on MasterChef Australia, yet both Michael and Kate proved their worthiness by plating up incredible dishes.

Once again scoring 9s, Kate took the Pressure Test win, and with it became MasterChef 2011 champion.