One Man Stole The Show In Masterchef Last Night

There were some pretty spectacular moments on last night’s Masterchef grand final between Ballina restaurant manager Billie McKay and Queenslander Georgia Barnes.

The first mystery box challenge was a jaw dropper, with both contestants given access to freestyle cook using the freshest Aussie ingredients brought into MasterChef HQ by the farmers who produced them.

The family reunions, where Georgia seized the opportunity to creep four points ahead with a dish playing on her mother’s favourite vegetable, mushrooms.

Heston Blumenthal’s Final Challenge

And then there was Heston Blumenthal’s final challenge “” dubbed “the hardest thing cooked in the competition” “” requiring each grand finalist to present a soil, made with parmesan, Roquefort and blue cheese powder; a peach jelly; a compressed red grape dipped in nitrogen; grape fluid gel; citrus sorbet; aerated saffron; chocolate sphere filled with pear caramel and popping candy; a golden sugar ball filled with citrus-infused yoghurt; a stalk made from churros and a caramel vine.

Yeah, it was a doozy.

In true nail-biting Masterchef fashion, Billie won back a four-point loss to win the crown after producing a a golden sugar ball to the judges “” which Heston said most chefs would struggle to make.

But there was one man who stole the show for me, and his name is not Heston.

It’s George Calombaris.

Throughout the series George has shown more compassion to the contestants than any other judge, especially in an emotional situation “” and last night was no different.

When Georgia had a melt down over Heston’s mammoth final challenge “” a 55-step, 17-element dessert inspired by botrytis “” George stepped in to shake off her nerves, grabbing the blonde by the shoulders and filling her confidence.

“This is not a time for crying, it’s a time for enjoying. You’re four points ahead, you can do it,” George told her in the third hour of the five hour challenge.

He then went on to spur the two along when attempting Heston’s sugar ball, and was beaming with pride when they both completed the challenge “” there may have even been a glisten of a tear.

The chef and restaurateur has shown a different side of himself this season “” a compassionate and caring side not often reserved for accomplished chefs.

He was the judge of judges, a mentor and a friend to many of the contestants. He made the show for me, and I’m sure many of others feel the same way.

Before the competition aired, George  teased: “it’s the best I’ve been a part of … the hair’s on the back of my neck stand up.”

The Melbourne-based chef has also revealed that the first four years MasterChef Australia filmed in Sydney inspired plans to open a new restaurant in Surry Hills next year.

“Obviously living in Sydney for four years when we first started filming MasterChef helped me understand the place but now I’ve found the space and its incredible,” Calombaris said.

Either way, we can’t wait for next year’s Masterchef “” for the entertainment, but also to see more of George.

Oh, and congrats Billie!

Feature Photo Credit: www.womansday.com.au