Pete Campbell becomes the man to beat in the MasterChef grand finale – following two nail-biting rounds
MasterChef star Pete Campbell is the man to beat going into Tuesday grand finale.
On Monday night, the remining three finalists – Justin Narayan, Kishwar Chowdhury and Pete – began their final challenge, to compete in three cook-offs, held over two nights.
With two cooks down, Pete leads the group on a total of 53 points with Kishwar only slightly behind with 51 points. Justin is in third place with 50 points.
![Will he win? MasterChef's Pete Campbell [pictured] has become the man to beat in Tuesday's grand finale, following the first two nail-biting rounds on Monday night](https://i0.wp.com/i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/07/12/13/45346869-9779985-MasterChef_s_Pete_Campbell_pictured_has_become_the_man_to_beat_i-a-12_1626091920007.jpg?resize=634%2C423&ssl=1)
Will he win? MasterChef’s Pete Campbell [pictured] has become the man to beat in Tuesday’s grand finale, following the first two nail-biting rounds on Monday night
Pete proved to be a strong contender on Monday night in the first round with Kishwar and Justin gaining on him in round two.
Kishwar managed to gain a perfect 10 score for her second dish, which was smoked rice water with aloo bhorta.
Pete initially hit the first round out of the park with his King George Whiting with kohlrabi, pine mushrooms and Geraldton wax.
Early lead: Pete initially hit the first round out of the park with his King George Whiting with kohlrabi, pine mushrooms and Geraldton wax
The tattoo artist got a near perfect score for the dish with him getting an overall score of 28 out of a possible 30 points.
‘[The fish] was beautifully opaque, glistening, delicious,’ Jock said, offering a glowing reference.
‘Clean, contemplative, modern, refined, sophisticated food. This has clearly become your hallmark in this kitchen,’ Mel added.
![The heat is on! Justin Narayan [centre], Kishwar Chowdhury [left] and Pete Campbell [right] are all in the running to be crowned MasterChef 2021](https://i2.wp.com/i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/07/12/12/45346007-9779985-image-a-1_1626089005633.jpg?resize=634%2C793&ssl=1)
The heat is on! Justin Narayan [centre], Kishwar Chowdhury [left] and Pete Campbell [right] are all in the running to be crowned MasterChef 2021
Justin and Kishwar both scored 21 out of a possible 30 points in the first round, seeing them in a tie before the second cook.
Kishwar managed to create the perfect dish that judges loved with her smoked rice water with aloo bhorta. Each scored it a 10.
‘This is powerful food. To have the heart and the soul of the dish be all about something as simple as rice and water and seasoning,’ Mel said.
Impressive: Justin also impressed the judges with his poached fish in a curry broth. Andy called it one of the best dishes his put up in the entire competition
Justin also managed to create a near perfect dish on the second round with him plating up a poached fish in a curry broth.
‘That is, I think, one of the best dishes he’s put up in the whole competition,’ Andy said, calling it ‘expertly’ done.
‘I’m gonna call it – I thought it was perfect. I finished it because it was perfect,’ Jock added, after tasting the dish.
Too raw: Pete managed to stumble with Melissa low-scoring his second round dish of quail with enoki mushrooms, white asparagus and a quince glaze. Melissa scored it a six
Pete managed to stumble with Melissa low-scoring his second round dish of quail with enoki mushrooms, white asparagus and a quince glaze.
Despite Jock and Andy giving the dish a 10 and a nine respectively, Melissa gave the dish a six because of her ‘raw’ quail.
The MasterChef grand finale continues Tuesday at 7.30pm on Channel Ten
Who will win? The MasterChef grand finale continues Tuesday at 7.30pm on Channel Ten