Leo Fernandez makes it to Masterchef NZ Top 3

Let's zoom along, shall we?  In this 2-part episode in Dubai, the 4 contestants duke it out in the open dessert (that's part 1) where the boys won the round.

Oh no! We've got a man down! #MasterChefNZ pic.twitter.com/ag7OYJlkYs

— MasterChef NZ (@MasterChefNZ) September 20, 2015

Seriously, I cannot imagine how it is like to cook out in the dessert with the grill and frying pan on high.  Especially for Kiwis, who are accustomed to the cool climate.

On part 2, they headed off to the Dubai Marina to replicate a three-course dish at chef Gary Rhodes' restaurant.

Whisked away by boat to a Dubai market with nothing but a list... No worries! #MasterChefNZ pic.twitter.com/SIdIkfZzRN

— MasterChef NZ (@MasterChefNZ) September 21, 2015

It was a pretty tight contest, with each contestant getting at least one great review with their dish.  I have listed the ones for Leo below, complete with screenshots! (literally, I took shots of the show from the TV with my camera)

Entree: Smoked Haddock with Welsh Rarebit & Tomato Salad

"It's a stunner, isn't it?"
"It looks beautiful"
"I thought it was a more complete dish, certainly with the oil, pepper and the salt, and the seasoning"
Get the recipe on TV3.co.nz

Filipino makes it to MasterChef NZ Top 4

If you haven't been watching the latest edition of MasterChef NZ, you still have time to catch up with the Top 5 competition.  And there is good reason to watch, for we have our own 32 year old Leo Fernandez who made it to top 5!

 We weren't actually able to catch the early episodes ourselves.  A friend alerted us about this and we have been tuning in ever since.  We would have loved the episode where he showcased maja blanca and adobo!

If your region allows it, you can still watch the more recent episodes on 3 Now.  On TV, MasterChef is on Sundays at 7pm and on Mondays at 7.30pm.

In the meantime, here is one of Leo's recipes.  The judges found the lettuce spring roll very flavoursome so I would like to try that!

Photos and recipe from the TV3 website (no copyright infringement intended, such TV-related articles disappear over time so I would like to keep a copy here for archiving purposes).