Kate Bracks wins MasterChef Australia 2011!
Kate Bracks has won the series title of MasterChef Australia for 2011 over Michael Weldon.
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Kate Bracks has won the series title of MasterChef Australia for 2011.
The 36 year old mum from Orange, New South Wales defeated 25 year old film projectionist Michael Weldon from Adelaide.
She scored 87 points over Michael’s 84 points.
She wins $100,000 cash, restaurant training and a publishing deal for a cookbook.
The finale wrapped up the third season of the hit reality series for TEN.
The two-part finale consisted of three tests worth a total of 100 points.
Round One: Mystery Box Race (20 pts)
Michael: Steak & Oyster Pie
Kate: Balmain Bug & Crab Remoulade Salad.
With three Mystery Boxes to plough through Michael was on fire, but Kate struggled from the get go with the intricacies of the crab meat. The judges weren’t sure Kate’s crab was cooked enough. Michael’s carrots also let him down.
Michael scored 17 points.
Kate scored 15 points.
Round Two: Invention Test (40 points)
Kate: Sherry-Glazed Quail with roast and garlic custard, asparagus duxelle and hazelnuts.
Michael: Butter Poached Lobster with fennel, leeks and and champagne sauce.
Kate burnt a bamboo steamer but had extra custards to cover herself. Michael’s dish was considered simple and while the judges applauded his lobster they weren’t enamoured by leaving the roots of his leeks on the dish. The judges loved Kate’s quail and sauce but the custard had a smoky taste.
Michael scored 31 points (48)
Kate scored 36 points (51)
When the contest resumed after being rudely interrupted by The Renovators, it was time for the third and final challenge.
Round Three: Pressure Test
Guest Chef Rene Redzepi from Noma in Copenhagen brought them the toughest dish from his restaurant, a carrot sorbet “snowman.” It was an intricate three-layered dish. Kate lost a third of her puree and had to adjust her recipe. Michael nearly forgot to add some key elements to the dish. Plating up against the ticking clock was a nightmare for both. But the judges loved both desserts.
Michael scored 34 points. (82)
Kate scored 36 points. (87)
“I feel relieved I’ve made it to the end and I feel incredibly blessed to have this experience,” said Bracks. “I guess it means life will never be the same again for our entire family. It means there will be opportunities perhaps that I’ve never, ever dreamed of and it’s opened up a new door for my life.”
Gary Mehigan also offered Michael Weldon a three month scholarship at his own restaurant including a $10,000 wage.
“I walked into here today knowing that whatever happened I would be happy,” said Weldon. “Speaking to Callum Hann and Poh Ling Yeow I know how well they’ve done by coming second and I know I can do something great after MasterChef.”
The finale saw both finalists joined by their families, guest chefs, former MasterChef faces and the remaining 22 contestants from 2011.
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69 Responses
I think this was kind of predictable… I felt during the 6:30 and 8:30 shows they focussed heavily on Kate — whether this was simply my imagination I don’t know, but I’d be interested in tallying screentime and mentions…
I was annoyed and surprised that the finale was slip – that was stupid. And given that there was generally a low level of interesting personalities/people who were interesting to watch this season that hasn’t given us anything like previous seasons contestants (Poh where are you?), but I must say Kate has grown on me. She seems energetic, committed and not “just a mum”…
Still, Channel 5 (AKA 10) do Better next season.
I think it would be an improvement, and much more credible, if they judged their dishes anonymously in their final, as they do for the Immunity Challenges.
Open champagne and celebrate – thank god it’s over!!! Can’t stand this awful show.
Now the real celebration is about to start on 29th August – geniune good show – original Masterchef UK are coming on Foxtel. Hip-Hip Hurray!
Yeah i’m over Masterchef officially now. This season was terrible and killed it for me. Tonight was rigged for the “mum” to win. Should have been Michael just like it should have been Poh. And the decision to split it really pi$$ed me off. Stupid move. And I’m sick of the “Kate you scored”….ad break. “The dish you’re cooking is”….ad break. And the recaps after each ad break, yeah we saw it already. And the show has become to w*nky. The Dalai Lama episode the worst of them all.
I hear that many people have complained via Facebook and Twitter of Ten’s decision to split the finale in two, and that the program itself finished late (it ended at around 9.55pm). While the complaint on the split had merit, had these people forgotten that last year’s finale also finished after 9.30pm? Surely parents could have let their children to stay up to watch the winner’s announcement before they go to bed tonight, or tape the ending to play it tomorrow morning during breakfast.
Angry TVT readers too. Will have a story on this in the morn.
This season the constant back announcing and dragging things out started to get really tiresome. I know it’s their style, and that’s what the show is all about, but I think it will really start to get old quickly over the next few years if they don’t start to tighten things up again and move for more “live” comments as they are cooking instead of all the post commentary.
This might sound naive, but why do they have to lock contestants away for the duration of the series. It really does cut out so many potential cooks, like single mothers or fathers or basically anyone who isn’t able to or doesn’t want to leave their kids or shut off their lives. Ironically, they’re the people I want to see and it feels discriminatory to me.
masterchef my posterior!! they made so many basic mistakes it’s ridiculous. as for Alana going out on a gingerbread house the last time I was in a kitchen -and I own 5 – a baker bakes a chef prepares meals gingerbread house = masterchef you have to be kidding
Yes folks it’s over.
Now if they could cut it down to the slick style of the UK version for 2012 without all the ridiculous banter from the contestants it might just be watchable.
Sure it’s its own show but way too drawn out,time to cut out all he crap from these reality programs.
Next year George will be given a trampoline to reach new heights.
I did not watch it and have no interest in Masterchef whatsoever. The sooner this w*ankfest is over as Ja’mie puts it the better. Hope it goes downhill from here, and the same goes for The Block/Renovators/Top Design etc. etc. etc. *yawn*
@Tony H.
I thought he already was on the panel? Oh, wait. That’s Matt Preston….
@ Tony H – I’ve also heard something about a big, last supper type meal… Hmm, interesting
I hear that God is on the judging panel next series – something to do with a water and wine challenge.
The judges’ comments did not match their scores!. Michael got the biggest rap, yet scored less.
It was obvious who was going to win when Kate’s kids were asked if their Mum was going to be Master Chef. As if they were going to disappoint the kids after that.
Kate took over the whole thing on Friday night – it was obvious that she was the personality they wanted. And cute little kids to go on the magazine covers….
Vom!!!! So upset… She made so many mistakes and if it wasn’t for the other contestants yelling at her from the balcony she would have been worse off.
Michael has better skills and wants to be more of a chef. She wants to open up a BnB… Complete lackluster finale and the dividing of the episodes to make room for Diet Block simply killed the tension and flow.
It will be interesting to see how they’ll do next year trying to top all the big chefs, challenges, guests and a trip to New York…
I was pretty sure @ Tony H was making a joke…
Do they really need the scoring system?
it draws out the program and promotes criticism, the winner should just be announced live with an audience for atmoshpere and authenticity and avoid all the BS.
Woo! I was Team Kate all the way. Glad she won. She cooked great and unlike Michael, she was such a good sport.
Perhaps i’ts time no text language was allowed. It makes the writer sound completely stupid.
Congrats Kate.. on being the best of the worst bunch of contenders ever. MC has totally jumped the shark and I won’t be watching again.
OMG…. Kate!!! Congrats!!!! thank God….was stressing in my seat for you….You r sooo down to earth & popular in Masterchef team…went without ur fam for 3 + months…Gooooo Girl….was sooo behind u…crying all way thru….very intense…u didnt show much emotion following….but think…will hit u following….as very centrd & did all….didnt hve time to feel/think shocked….soooo happy for you!!!! Luvd Michael….but thought u deserved it more….u sacrificed sooo much…& made g8 dishes!!!
David – Twas a joke…
They have both performed well thoughout the season we need good cooks to perform on this show and really the ‘pie’ is full of imagination but it was not a pie this was costly we all have favorites but they will both go far. Good luck to them both…I look forward to reading them both
At least Kate hasn’t completely bored us all with the Julieque “I’m a mum”, “I’m a mum” stuff the entire season. Kate is more than “just” a mum – she has energy, and enthusiasm, rather than Michael’s arrogance and faux humility (which exists in place of any real personality). Well done Kate.