MasterChef star Callum Haan is eliminated from the series – as the final three contestants are revealed
MasterChef frontrunner Callum Haan was eliminated from the competition on Tuesday night.
The 30-year-old presented coconut poached snapper with crispy ginger and shaved fennel along with a roasted chilli oil and a coriander dressing.
However, it simply wasn’t enough to impress the judges over co-star Laura Sharrad’s technical take on strawberries and cream.
Eliminated: MasterChef star Callum Haan was eliminated from the series on Tuesday night – as the final three contestants are revealed
Judges praised the standard of the dish, but chef Jock Zonfrillo was the first to admit that the fish struggled to meet the standard.
‘The texture of the fish is really off-putting, which is a shame because all the flavours that are going on there, he’s really nailed it.’
Judge Melissa agreed: ‘There’s not getting around that the fish is mushy.’
It was an emotional night for the beloved South Australian chef, who struggled to get his emotions in check during the cook.
Following him finishing the snapper, he struggled to hold back tears: ‘I think it is starting to hit me,’ he said.
‘This is very real, there’s a 50-50 chance I’m going home or getting to the semifinal, which means I’m sending Laura home.
‘This has definitely been the toughest cook for me out of anything we’ve done in the competition.’
Laura presented a modern take on strawberries and cream.
The layered dish comprised sweetened ricotta, strawberry sorbet, macerated strawberries, fresh strawberries, brown sugar crumble and a little granita.
The judges acknowledged the simplicity of the dish but praised her techniques.
‘It starts with that sorbet, which has got a good old whack of strawberry flavour. And then the whipped ricotta really starts to come into play and coat your palate.’
Melissa agreed: ‘My mouth is still zinging with brightness and freshness. You have these different textures.’
Laura, Callum, and Reynold each competed in two cooking rounds, with Reynold winning the first round with him presenting bonito fish.
On Callum leaving, Melissa said: ‘The name ‘Callum Hann’ is synonymous with this competition. And so many people around this country – and the world -love your food and what you represent.’
She continued: ‘Ten years ago, you might have walked into this competition as a boy, but this time, you’ve returned as a dad.
And every time you walk through those doors, humility and integrity has always followed. We are so proud of you.’
The semi-finalists are Laura, Emilia Jackson and Reynold Poernomo.
MasterChef: Back to Win continues on Channel Ten, Sunday, 7:30pm