MasterChef plating up two-course sizzler

The final MasterChef cook-off between Kate Bracks and Michael Weldon took place several weeks ago, but this afternoon the production will film its all-important winner announcement to be edited into the two-part finale.

This is to try to minimise the risk of Spoilers leaking.

The unknown winner is already booked into a swag of media commitments on Monday, many of them at just 10 minute intervals. Fingers crossed we don’t get a repeat the 2009 bungle when TEN had both Julie and Poh giving “winner interviews” to press in advance of the finale. One newspaper accidentally ran the wrong one online, with quotes and all from a ‘triumphant’ Poh Ling Yeow.

Today there’s a load of press articles on the season, the finalists, the likely ratings (TV Tonight readers tipped between 2m – 2.5m) and more.

Here’s a grab bag of what they are saying:

The Age says the show has gone from media darling to whipping boy, and that TEN risks annoying viewers by splitting tonight’s final in two with The Renovators in between:

“The public is wise to this stuff now,” says media analyst Steve Allen. “If they don’t want to be part of the journey, they’ll just switch on in the last half-hour.”

The Sunday Herald Sun debates the possible ratings the finale may net:

“The MasterChef finale has been the biggest TV event of the past two years, averaging more than four million viewers last year, but tonight’s ratings are expected to be softer.”

The West Australian makes similar observations:

“Sunday’s finale isn’t expected to be reach those highs, with some of the wind knocked out of the hit show’s sails this year by a barrage of other reality shows such as The Block and Australia’s Got Talent” it writes.

In the Sunday Herald Sun judge Gary Mehigan also defends against claims the show has been overdramatic, overblown and over-managed:

“What do you want us to do? It is dramatic,” he says.

“I read in the papers about how tough they were doing it, locked up in house. But the contestants are doing this willingly, to change their lives.

“They have six months to pursue and think about what they love, in a waterfront mansion. They’re working with the best, learning from the best, getting incredible opportunities. How many people get the chance to do that in their lives?”

The Sydney Morning Herald speculates as to the final challenges:

“We can expect a spectacular challenge. After last year’s now-legendary weird  gross egg thingy, it may not be another dessert, but it will undoubtedly be  something as complex, challenging and pointless.”

The Sunday Telegraph says golden-boy Hayden Quinn has been signed by talent agency One Management and is in talks with networks about launching his own cooking and travel show.

“One Management, which lists former contestants Julie Goodwin, Adam Liaw and Poh Ling Yeow among its clients, will also manage tonight’s winner.”

Adelaide Now gets behind local boy Michael Weldon:

“Obviously, I’d love to write a book and if I was offered a show like Poh’s I’d jump at it, but I’m just trying to enjoy myself at the moment,” he said.

“My ultimate goal is to work with Heston (Blumenthal) in London,” he said. “I’ve emailed him and I think I’m just going to harass him until he says `yes’. I haven’t heard back yet.”

The Central Western Daily champions local mum Kate Bracks:

“It won’t be easy, Michael’s strength is that he won’t give up, he just keeps going and he’s got a great pallet,” she said (yes apparently in Orange it’s pallet not palate).

Reality Ravings blog can’t split between the two finalists:

“I think the final is a 3 course meal so that suits neither one nor the other as Michael is strong at mains whilst Kate is strong with desserts,” it notes.

“I actually like both contestants so don’t even have a favourite as far as personality is concerned either.”

Tonight’s final begins at 6:30pm and resumes at 8:30pm, promising a big surprise with “the world’s best chef.”

If it’s all too much you can catch the actual winner announced after 9:15pm followed by a Sneak Peek of forthcoming Reality show Class of…

NB: TV Tonight will be blogging live results AEST including via RSS and Twitter.