Hint of new MasterChef as finalists 'warm up'

The two finalists of MasterChef warmed up for Wednesday's final yesterday - as judge Simon Gault hinted a second series of the hit show was on the cards.

Kelly Young and Brett McGregor took part in a public cook-off at Countdown Manukau to promote Wednesday's two-hour finale.

While each whipped up one of Gault's recipes, a herb chicken breast on roasted kumara, the restaurateur explained the application process in case there were any budding contestants among the audience.

TVNZ spokeswoman Katherine Klouwens said it was too early to confirm a second season, but the first series had been "really successful".

And Gault said he would love to be involved in the show again.

"It's been incredible, emotional and exciting. It's been a pleasure to be around this bunch of people and see them improving week by week."

Masterchef has rated well, with more than 2.2 million New Zealanders aged five and over tuning in so far.

Each of the last three episodes has attracted more than half a million viewers.

There was little evidence of rivalry between the finalists yesterday, despite them being among a select group to know who wins - filming wrapped around Christmas.

Kelly, who was eliminated in week six but brought back in week nine, and Brett, who has been close to elimination several times, said they were surprised to reach the final.

"It was very unexpected," said Kelly. "I had settled back into normal life, then got this amazing opportunity to come back."

The final will feature four challenges - a taste test in which they must identify the ingredients in a minestrone, the invention of a new lamb dish, a sausage-making challenge and the creation of a croquembouche, the extravagant and notoriously difficult French patisserie masterpiece made from choux pastry profiteroles.

"It's a real tough battle," Kelly confirmed as she signed autographs for young fans. "There's a lot of sweat and tears."

She has already landed a job at Euro, one of Gault's restaurants, and is doing fantastically well, he says.

Brett has returned to his teaching job at a Christchurch intermediate.

He's not sure if the long hours required of an apprentice chef would suit him due to his young family, but would love to make another foray into the world of food television.

Mat Follas, the Kiwi winner of MasterChef UK, reviewed the finalists' performance for the Herald on Sunday.

After watching this week's semifinal he concluded both were technically sound but said Kelly's innovative approach to cooking gave her the edge.

Follas, who opened his own restaurant last June, said Brett's Asian-influenced dishes were good but not new.

In contrast Kelly's highly praised pineapple dessert was something he hadn't seen before.

More than 1000 people applied for MasterChef New Zealand. The winner will receive more than $100,000 worth of prizes, including a Toyota Prius car, a range of high-tech cookware and a cookbook deal with RandomHouse.

The final screens on TVOne at 7.30pm on Wednesday.


Cook off: Kelly vs Brett
MasterChef contestant Rob Trathen gives his verdict on the show's two finalists.

"I was quite surprised when the final two were chosen. Some of the contestants have done really well throughout all the challenges - like Steve and Tracey - so I thought they could have been there at the end.

"The final two are quite different. Kelly works really cleanly and tidily - there's no panic and everything's under control - whereas Brett's a little bit more frantic. He always gets things done perfectly and on time, but he gets a little stressed out at times.

"Brett has been in the bottom two a few times, but he is a very good cook. It just goes to show that anyone can win this competition. Out of all of the contestants, anyone could have won it.

"Kelly was evicted in week six but came back in week nine. Some people would look at it and say, 'That's really unfair, how dare they,' but it's a bit of a game show, really.

"That's the way I look at it - if you're lucky enough to get brought back, then great. People can say it's unfair, but it's just part of the show.

"I really can't choose who I think is going to win as they're both so good. It's really hard to say, 'This person's going to win, hands down,' so I wouldn't want to choose.

"It was a really nice atmosphere in the house we lived in during filming - everyone got on so well. It was like a big family. It was competitive, but not in a nasty way. There wasn't any tension between any of us.

"Everyone was just there to do well in each competition - no one really thought about the final prize."