How MasterChef welcomed Heston Blumenthal as guest judge two years after saying he ‘wouldn’t return’ amid underpayment scandal
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Heston Blumenthal played a pivotal role in the MasterChef Australia: Fans & Faves season finale on Tuesday night.
But there was no mention of Channel 10 saying in 2020 the celebrity chef would not be returning to the show amid a wage scandal.
A Melbourne restaurant headed by Blumenthal is said to have $4 million underpaid staff in 2019.
MasterChef welcomed Heston Blumenthal (pictured) as a guest judge on Tuesday night’s season finale, two years after saying he ‘wouldn’t return’ amid an underpayment scandal
Tipsy Cake, the company behind the Dinner by Heston restaurant, eventually went bankrupt.
Although the restaurant bore Blumenthal’s name, he did not own it.
Amid the fallout from the scandal, a Channel 10 spokesperson said in 2020 that Blumenthal “would not appear next season”.
But it seems all is forgiven as the British restaurateur took center stage during Tuesday’s MasterChef final.
A Melbourne restaurant headed by Heston is said to have $4 million underpaid staff in 2019. Although the restaurant bore Blumenthal’s name, he did not own it. (Second from right pictured with judges (LR) Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo)
The culmination of the cooking competition saw returning favorites Billie McKay and Sarah Todd go head to head for the MasterChef trophy.
It was Billie who triumphed, taking home the hefty $250,000 cash prize after a “stunning” final dish, which was based on one of Blumenthal’s creations.
The pair were tasked with impressing Blumenthal by recreating an elaborate dessert made famous by the five-star chef.
It was a heart-pounding finish for MasterChef Australia Fans & Faves on Tuesday night as returning favorites Billie McKay (left) and Sarah Todd (right) go head to head
The judges were most impressed with Billie, whose dish they called “better than good” and “unbelievable.”
She scored a nine out of 10 from every judge except Melissa Leong, who gave her a perfect score of 10.
‘Oh my God. I can not believe it. I am so grateful for this experience,” Billie said after her win.
Billie emerged victorious and took home the $250,000 cash prize after a ‘stunning’ final dish
The pair were tasked with impressing Blumenthal by recreating an elaborate dessert made famous by the five-star chef.
The judges were most impressed with Billie, whose dish (pictured) they called “better than good” and “unbelievable”
‘I have learned so much about myself. A lot has changed about me and I am very excited about that. And I admire Sarah so much.
“She is an absolute force. She’s done so much since she first joined MasterChef, and I’m truly inspired by her. She is also a beautiful person.’
You can watch MasterChef Australia again on 10 Play
Sarah didn’t go home empty handed and won $30,000 for her second place finish