Terminated: MasterChef's Jonathan Daddia gets the chop

IT consultant Jonathan Daddia, 33, known as "The Terminator" for surviving eight elimination rounds, finally met his match in the spice-roasted squab and turnip cake challenge when the Sydney contestant failed to read the complex 75-ingredient recipe properly.

How did you feel when you were eliminated?
I was a little disappointed – I think you could see it on my face on TV - but I had a great experience overall. I really enjoyed it and I got a lot out of it. If I was eliminated before I went to London – which for me was the highlight of the show – I would have been more devastated.

People call you "The Terminator". Do you think it’s an accurate name to describe you?
Well I think I did live up to my name through the eliminations. I went through eight eliminations and went out on my ninth so I think I did pretty well to get through. But in each elimination round, I was just as vulnerable as the person standing next to me.

What were you able to take away from the show?
I had an epiphany in London when I was in The Ledbury challenge and realised this is everything I want to be doing. I learned where my capabilities are, what kind of food I should be cooking, how I should be planning my dishes and realised where I should be aiming. This is what I love doing so hopefully I’ll keep doing it.

Do you have any regrets?
I just wish I didn’t take the breasts off the pigeon! It’s my only regret.

How did you feel when MasterChef favourite Marion left?
To be honest, I think I was more devastated when Marion left than when I got eliminated myself. It was a shame to see someone really inspirational and a great cook go.

Do you think the dynamics in the competition will change now that you and Marion – the frontrunners of the show – have left?
I’m looking forward to seeing it. I’m really intrigued to see the remaining challenges and how everyone left in the competition will go. We’ve spent so much time together, we’re so close and we’ve invested so much time into it that I’m still excited to see what would be the next challenge, what I’ll miss out on and what fun could be in store.

What did you feel when you had to compete with people who had already been eliminated?
When they came back into the competition, I was a bit disappointed, but I woke up the next morning and said, ‘I came here to cook. I’m not interested in the happenings around the show. All I know is how to cook and that’s what I’m going to do.’

Who do you think will win the competition?
I would definitely be putting my money on Alvin – he cooks really tasty, beautiful food, or Adam. Adam’s one of the most underrated cooks in the competition and he has an amazing food mind and an amazing brain so I’d be putting my money on those guys.

What are your plans for the future?
I’d like to open a classic French bistro, which I’ve been talking about from the beginning of the show. It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for years. If I can’t do that straight away, then I might just try and open up a wine bar with some great food. If that’s successful then maybe eventually I’ll be able get my bistro running.

Have you got any plans for a family?
I owe my wife an amazing amount for all her support and everything she’s done for me in the last few months. There’s no plans for children at the moment but certainly a holiday or a second honeymoon. A lot of romance-time is in order.

What would you say to MasterChef viewers?
I just want to thank everyone who has supported me. To everyone who loved me and hated me, I just hope you enjoyed my cooking!


Masterchef airs Weeknights and Sundays, 7.30 pm, on Network Ten