Pressure’s on for Julie and Justine

Whatever happens in MasterChef Australia tonight will arguably be a lose / lose situation for viewers, but a win for TEN.

Two favourite contestants, Julie and Justine go head to head in a “pressure test” which will see one of them eliminated from the reality contest.

That’s going to bite, given that both have been terrific television talent and even better cooks. While 23yo Justine is favourite to take out the title, 38yo Julie has been a joy to watch. Her honest persona has seen her express herself wonderfully in high stakes situations, including this week when she was under instruction by a leading Hong Kong chef. She perfectly epitomises many stay-at-home chefs who aspire to a dream.

Last night the two lost out in a MasterChef Super Challenge which saw them race through Hong Kong acquiring local ingredients in a three hour race / cook-off. But they lost to Sam and Andre, while Chris escaped the contest via an earlier challenge.

Watching the pairs race through the markets of Hong Kong, negotiating the language, transport and a ticking clock, you could be mistaken for thinking the show had temporarily turned into The Amazing Race. But it made for terrific viewing. FremantleMedia could do a lot worse than to acquire Australian rights to that Jerry Bruckheimer show -they clearly have the nous to make it.

The week in Hong Kong has been inspired telly. With its exotic and colourful background, it has been a breath of fresh air and an entertaining cultural lesson. The Hong Kong Tourist Association must be doing cartwheels over such postcard television attracting fantastic ratings for an entire week. It has put the territory front and centre in the minds of many Australian viewers as an enticing, friendly, dynamic destination.

Matt Preston also goes from strength to strength as a TV performer. His speech atop The Peak goading the contestants into “the Dragon’s Breath” was absolute theatre.

As it barrels towards its finale, viewer investment shows no sign of abating, and the drama on the show keeps on delivering. Good luck Julie and Justine!

MasterChef Australia airs 7:00pm tonight on TEN.