'MasterChef Australia' season 7 episode 61 recap: Stakes are high as the finalists cook their hearts out

Network Ten’s “MasterChef Australia” Season 7, episode 61, aired on July 26, wherein Billie McKay, Georgia Barnes and Jessica Arnott presented their best dishes to the show’s judges Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston. In the end, Barnes and McKay proceeded to the grand finale while Arnott learned a hard lesson on managing time and making better desserts.

Billie McKay is 23 years old and is a restaurant manager from New South Wales. She grew up on a dairy farm and learned how to cook at a very young age. She often prepares food for her family and her goal is to serve fresh, simple and local food that is respectfully prepared. Barnes, 27, is from Queensland and works as a health product representative. She honed her skills in the kitchen at a very young age and dreams of having a cooking school.

At the kitchen,Barnes, McKay and Arnott were welcomed by the eliminated contestants. Matt Preston said that the judges were very proud of the three finalists.

The three ladies were then asked to make a main course and a dessert for 20 guests and the judges. Jessica immediately gathered ingredients for a Japanese main course and a cake made of popcmake a main course and a dessertorn for dessert. Billie cooked shank meat and made a "spider" dessert which featured rhubarb, dill ice cream, macadamia praline, champagne fizz and apple granita. It was inspired by the monster Shelob in “Lord of the Rings.” Georgia decided to cook ocean trout for the main dish and make a parfait for dessert. The contestants were given four hours to prepare everything.

Jessica burned her crumb and Shannon added to the pressure by telling her that she might be going home. The contestants plated up in the final 15 minutes as the people on the balcony and Shannon continued screaming at them. Matt also informed the diners who just arrived that the three best amateur cooks in Australia are currently whipping up something good for them.

When it was time to taste the food, the judges loved Billie’s dish. Jessica had trouble with actually bringing a plate to the judges. Georgia filled up her customers really well. Billie and Jessica started on their desserts but Georgia was still battling with time and empty plates. When she finally got the trout to the judges, they loved it.

As for the desserts, the judges loved the presentation of Billie’s “spider” dessert. The judges questioned Jessica’s popcorn-based cake. Unfortunately, Georgia’s dessert did not impress Gary. At the end of “MasterChef Australia” episode 61, as shown on Ten Play, Billie and George proceeded to the grand finale, and Jessica was eliminated.

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