As the MasterChef cook-off closes it kitchen for another series, LUCY CHESTERTON discovers that the challenges are far from over for Callum and Adam.
Like ill-fated macaron towers under the scrutiny of the MasterChef judges, Callum Hann and Adam Liaw have finally collapsed after a boil-over finale at the weekend.
For fresh-faced Callum, his confidence has been shattered after his campaign was blighted by accusations of favouritism, while an exhausted Adam vented after trying to hide his dark side throughout the series.
Callum is so plagued by self doubt, the 20-year-old says he has decided to delay his dream of opening his own restaurant. “I’m an amateur,” he says. “I don’t consider myself a professional chef yet – and I’m no more deserving of the title than anyone else.”
In fact, despite his confident façade, the aspiring chef admits he relied heavily on his competitors to help him in the series. “The reason I got so far in the show was ability and passion, but also the help I got from the other contestants. I don’t believe I deserved to win any more than them.”
Callum, who served up unfinished roast pheasant dishes during a crucial challenge last week, says he was lucky the guest panel – including Sydney chefs Mark Best and Kylie Kwong – let him off lightly. “The guest judges got me through that challenge,” he admits, adding that the usual judges George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan might not have been so lenient, despite Matt Preston defending the decision.
