MasterChef NZ's FINAL SERVING

Get to know the last batch of cooking contestants set to face off in the Queenstown kitchen

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ANNIE 24, ASHBURTON

Product development technologist Annie McDonald says her food science degree will be her strength. "The knowledge I've gained about food right down to a molecular level definitely influences how I cook and what I cook with," the Al Brown fan says, adding her signature dish is a twist on Egyptian koshari, "a street food consisting of spicy rice, a mungbean base and lots of delicious condiments". Alice's dream is "to create the next New Zealand pantry staple, like tomato sauce or Weet-Bix".

RIK 46, DUNEDIN

Otago plumber Rik Moss enjoys cooking with game meats and sustainable produce, and his signature dish is venison served with wild thyme, porcini mushrooms, honey-glazed carrots, and a cauli and blue cheese purée. His biggest weakness? "I'm not a big desserts or sweets person. I don't cook them." Rik's dream is to own some land, where he can grow veges, raise livestock and operate a "farm-tofork restaurant where people can see how the produce is grown".

JOSE 34, AUCKLAND