Charlene leaves the MasterChef kitchen
Rotorua MasterChef contestant Charlene McGechan's bad day in the kitchen has led to her elimination from MasterChef New Zealand - an elimination she says has been the hardest part of her experience on the television show.
"I'm disappointed to have come this far, doing so well and this one bad day cost me, and I'm going home empty handed.
"My husband and my children were my motivation and now to be going home with nothing to show for Mummy being away from home is the greatest disappointment," said Mrs McGechan, who has recently moved overseas.
She said she was disappointed not to make the final as she had hoped to be in the final with her favourite contestant, Waiheke Island mother Ana Schwarz.
Asked what went wrong last night, Mrs McGechan had two words: "molecular gastronomy.
"That's not my style of cooking. I'm about rustic, hearty cooking. Then again this competition is about amateur cooks being thrown in the deep end and you either sink or swim."
The top five were presented with mystery boxes containing sugar, cream and other sweet treats before top chef Michael Meredith revealed his signature dessert they were to recreate: A multi-layered spin on chocolate and tropical fruits, involving several different elements, including a dark chocolate mousse, chocolate disc and chocolate shavings, banana cream, coconut cream, pineapple puree, passionfruit jelly, honeycomb and two kinds of "soil" or crumb.
Mrs McGechan struggled throughout the episode and when it was time for tasting the judges quickly sensed her mood.
"I think we rattled you today, didn't we?"asked judge Josh Emett.
Mrs McGechan placed in the bottom two alongside best friend Ana Schwarz and the judges said they had to make an incredibly tough decision.
The shock was obvious as Mrs McGechan was told to leave the MasterChef kitchen.
Before she left, Mrs McGechan knelt to the floor and in the Fijian tradition, clapped her hands, and said "Vinaka Vakalevu" which is a sign of respect and a gesture of appreciation, the simple thank-you reduced the remaining contestants to tears.
After a final hug, Mrs McGechan left the kitchen with her final words.
"If anything I've done has influenced anyone out there with food, and has made people realise that food is about love, and that food is about bringing people together, then I've already won."
Last night's challenge was won by Chelsea Winter.
More on Mrs McGechan's departure and what she is doing now in this Saturday's The Daily Post.
