MasterChef Australia 2021 grand final: Kishwar, Justin and Pete compete in first of two episodes – live

6.04am EDT 06:04

Jock reckons the flavour combo is “unbelievable”, but the fish is “unfortunately” dry. Still, they rate her decision to do a 180 on her initial plan and bring them something with a bit more of the Kishwar magic.

6.03am EDT 06:03

We’re back! The music turns into something like Tangerine Dream’s Sorcerer score, which hopefully doesn’t mean that Kishwar’s whiting parcels are about to explode.

6.01am EDT 06:01

If you’ve just joined us, welcome to part one of MasterChef Australia’s 2021 finale liveblog!

Kishwar, Pete and Justin’s Round 1 challenge was a mystery box, with ingredients chosen by some of the country’s best chefs. They’ll be given a score out of ten from each judge; the contestant with the most points overall at the end of tomorrow will be taking a $250,000 comedy cheque to the bank.

5.59am EDT 05:59

Now here’s Kishwar. She doesn’t know if the fish is cooked perfectly because it’s still tied up in its beautiful pandan parcels…

She’s even gift-wrapped it! Photograph: Network Ten

5.58am EDT 05:58

The judges await the dishes at an extra fancy black marble tasting table. Pete’s up first.

Pete catches another rare Pokemon Photograph: Network Ten

“Beautiful dish,” Jock announces. “Clean, contemplative, modern, refined, sophisticated,” says Mel. Is it epic, Andy?! No, but it “belongs in any top restaurant around the country.”

Even Kishwar agrees:

Updated at 6.04am EDT

5.55am EDT 05:55

With mere seconds to go, all three contestants are plating up with the precision of a Mission: Impossible bomb defusal. Jock and Andy watch on, transfixed.

Andy 2000 detects high levels of Epic Photograph: Network Ten

5.51am EDT 05:51

Martin Benn comes over to check on Justin. He’s still thinking about Justin’s Society lobster.

“No pressure but remember how I told you you’d made a three-Michelin-star dish?” Photograph: Network Ten

Senpai has noticed you, Justin!!

5.50am EDT 05:50

“Jock, in a kilt,” Justin says. “Which is very distracting.”

“Stupid sexy Zonfrillo” Photograph: Network Ten

5.49am EDT 05:49

There’s just over 30 minutes to go, and Kishwar is switching to whiting wrapped in pandan leaves. My nerves!!

5.45am EDT 05:45

Jock and Andy are worried that there’s not a trademark Kishwar vibe coming from her station, which leads her to… CHANGE HER DISH [ad break explosion]

The face she makes when she’s thinking about MESSING WITH YOUR EMOTIONS Photograph: Network Ten

Updated at 5.49am EDT