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MasterChef finalist serves judge raw poultry during challenge
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*Spoilers for MasterChef Australia’s finale ahead*
A MasterChef Australia judge was left ‘heartbroken’ after contestant Pete Campbell served up raw quail in a recent challenge during the show’s two-night finale.
Yes, that sound you’re hearing is us stifling our gag reflex.
As part of the series’ grand final, the remaining contestants were tasked with several cook-offs held over two episodes.
Pete led the board throughout Monday night’s instalment, but he risked undoing all his hard work by serving up raw, inedible quail, which would have surely spelled digestive disaster if eaten by the judges.
He plated up what looked like delectable quail in a quince glaze with mushrooms and steamed asparagus for the judges, hoping it would have him on his way to a win in Tuesday’s finale.
However, as judge Mel Leong prepared to take her bite, she realised the meat wasn’t cooked properly.
Yep, that’s raw (Picture: Ten)
Mel’s face is all of us (Picture: Ten)
She asked: ‘Is that rare or raw?’
Unable to eat the meal, she went on: ‘I’m heartbroken because I love everything about this dish. Unfortunately, mine is raw.’
However, in a turn of events, the dish didn’t see him toppled from his place at the top, leaving local viewers absolutely baffled.
Mel still scored the chef a six out of 10, despite the horrific mistake but still admitting she was left ‘heartbroken’ by the chef’s stumble.
Other judges Andy Allen and Jock Zonfrillo were given dishes cooked properly which clearly helped Pete’s case, as he was awarded a nine and 10 respectively.
He was given 26 points and was still ahead on 53 ahead of tonight’s finale, with fellow chefs Kishwar Chowdhury on 50 and Justin Narayan on 51. Sadly, it wasn’t enough to get him to the glorious trophy, with Justin eventually taking out the title of MasterChef winner.
For those wondering why raw quail could have gone so wrong, undercooked and raw poultry poses a risk of food poisoning with the proper cooking process killing off harmful bacteria.
More: Australia
While some noshery pundits and experts suggest you can serve quail breast ‘medium rare’ due to its game bird status, judge Mel’s reaction to Pete’s dish confirms it should not be eaten raw. Chicken should never be eaten pink or raw.
It’s not the first time raw poultry has hit the MasterChef kitchen, with contestants befouled by serving undercooked chicken in the past, with UK series judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace left less-than-impressed after being served up pink meat by Ottilie in 2019.
MORE : Celebrity MasterChef champ Riyadh Khalaf among the first gay men to donate blood
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