Claire Winton Burn

The grand finale of ‘MasterChef Australia’ will be a head-to-head battle between Callum and Adam after Claire was eliminated from the ‘MasterChef’ kitchen last night.

The Melbourne-based lawyer left the competition after failing to shine during a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to cater a dinner at Government House.

Each contestant took charge of one course -– with Adam on entrée, Claire on main and Callum on dessert — which were served in the main dining room to the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce, 30 of her guests and judges Matt Preston and George Calombaris.

All three excelled in the kitchen under the guidance of head chef Stephen Evered. But ultimately, the judges decided that Claire’s roasted rack of lamb with mushrooms, broad beans and fetta polenta was the least impressive dish of the night — stating that her lamb was slightly overcooked.

“I was the worst cook on the day and you just have to take it on the chin,” says Claire.

“The thing I struggled with was just the scale of what I had to do and that was what cost me my place in the final.”

Now back home in Melbourne, Claire is determined to move on from law and forge a career in the food industry — planning a unique catering business.

“It’ll be more discreet than a catering company – although I’ll be doing catering by appointment as well – one day I’ll find a permanent home for a restaurant.”

Claire is also following her dream and delving into food writing.

“I’ve been doing a little bit of food writing and reviews, and I just love it,” says Claire. “I’m looking at establishing a food column and I’m currently working on a book proposal which combines my two loves of writing and cooking.”