The pressure test was the last hurdle standing between the contestants and being in the final three. The cookbook author and chef, Bill Granger of bills in Sydney and Tokyo, was the guest judge for the challenge.

Adriano Zumbo, who was responsible for the croquembouche and pannacotta pressure test recipes, carried in the pressure test dish. It was an ornate chocolate mousse cake made up of many different layers.

The contestants had three hours to make the cake and a blast freezer was in the kitchen to help them have the different cake components ready in time. After getting the biscuit base in the oven, the contestants turned their attentions to the caramel and apple layers. Watching from above, Adriano thought Justine was the one who was struggling, observing she was very “stressed out.”

Chris’ baked biscuit base was too thick so he had to make another one. Julie forgot the decorative sponge component when she put her cake together but the watching judges told her she didn’t have enough time to double back.

The contestants were nervous unmolding their assembled cakes and Justine had to turn a blow torch onto her mould to loosen it up. Poh’s cake hadn’t really set properly on top and she said she sort of “gave up” at the end of the challenge. Julie was the only one who had time to garnish her cake properly and Poh just managed to plate up her cake without adding any decoration to it.

Gary said Poh had trouble with the presentation of her cake, while George thought there was too much caramel. Matt said Poh’s cake was “a beautiful, exciting riot in the mouth” and Bill thought the flavours balanced really well.

Chris’ cake layering met with approval from Gary, who also liked the “pop” of the salt in the caramel. George said Chris’ cake looked spectacular and Bill said the flavours were incredible. George thought Julie’s cake looked good but it didn’t have the same depth of flavour as Chris’ effort.

Justine found it hard to cut her cake for the judges. Gary said her chocolate mousse, although it had good flavour, was grainy and the caramel was really thick. George thought Justine’s cake was a bit “Fred Flintstone”, on account of its rough appearance, and said the biscuit base was too thick.

The judges told Chris and Julie they were still in the competition. Poh was also still in and Justine was eliminated. Matt told Justine she’s unique in what she can do and he knows she has an incredibly bright future in the industry, whatever she wants to do.

Matt had tears in his eyes as he thanked Justine for being one of the bright stars of MasterChef. Gary also grew emotional as he told Justine not only he and George want her to work in their kitchens, but also Matt Moran, Guy Grossi and Jacques Reymond want her in theirs as well.

Justine returned home and was then surprised by a knock at the door from Matt Moran. He told Justine he wants to mentor her and have her work in the kitchen of ARIA restaurant while he’s still there.

Stay tuned as the final three showcases their own cookbook menu for Donna Hay.