Not long to wait now

Photo/File

This week our trio of duos faced their biggest challenges yet and if that wasn't pressure enough, their first task was performed under the watchful eye of local lad, Peter Gordon, perhaps New Zealand's Godfather of gourmet fusion.

The dish looked so simple .. a Paddle crab linguini. With just an hour on the clock the all girl teams all seemed to struggle with the texture and consistency of the pasta.

Karena and Kasey, with a three point lead going in, continued to show maturity and composure beyond their years, though Karena admitted to being put under pressure for the first time in the competition.

Bec and Jamie impressed me, managing not only the time limit, but demonstrating too, that they can actually work in a clean, organised kitchen, without being harassed by an absent Josh. Mind you, the simplicity of the dish lent itself to less processes, hence less mess.

Mother and daughter, Nikki and Jordan, tied with Jamie and Bec, needed to stay strong, but unfortunately the immensity of the task and the guest judge left Nikki feeling the heat and with such a clean and simple dish, there was nowhere to hide.

Scores were dramatically but predictably witheld until the completion of day two.

Still no Josh, which signalled another guest judge. This time it was Michel Louws, with his trademark tuft of head hair, spiked to perfection.

The three teams of family and friends, turned foe, had to serve up a two dish beef feast. One raw and one cooked. Both required so many processes and detail, you could almost smell the fear when they were given just an hour and a half to complete the challenge.

Nikki and Jordan would need a blinder after their poor showing the day before but sadly mum, Nikki, seemed defeated from the start. Perhaps venison would have been more apt, as she looked like a deer in headlights for most of the challenge.

Sisters, Karena and Kasey, somehow managed to remain cool and calm, despite admitting to feeling the pressure. Their poker faces were as impressive as their dishes and though not perfect, the pretty in pink pair were the first to make it through to the grand final where I'm sure they are firm favourites.

Good friends, Bec and Jamie came in hungry and focused. There was less chaos than usual but forgotten pickled vegetables and repeatedly split cream, courtesy of Jamie, saw them produce the worst cold dish but the best hot dish. Mistakes may have been made but the judges really had a beef with Jordan serving them raw meat. her goose was cooked.

Bec and Jamie were through to the final.

Early competition favourites, Nikki and Jordan, were homeward bound, but with Jordan being offered a job by Simon, she's still a winner.

The judges got it right, I think. The two hour final is shaping up to be a cracker. Both teams can wow with their food. Maybe it will all come down to the pressure. Will Karena and Kasey's well balanced approach triumph over Bec and Jamie's creative chaos?

Will family win the fight against friends? Not long to wait now ..