MasterChef star Reynold Poernomo says Laura Sharrad ‘deserves’ a spot in the grand final

MasterChef fans were left devastated following his elimination during Sunday’s semi-final episode of Back to Win.

And on Monday, Reynold Poernomo publicly addressed fans on social media claiming that Laura Sharrad should have gone home instead.

Speaking to HuffPost Australia, the 26-year-old chef defended his former rival, saying: ‘The viewers don’t see everything, that’s for sure.’

‘We helped only the slightest bit,’ he added, referring to the moment he and fellow competitor Emelia Jackson assisted Laura when she was in trouble.

‘Everything else came down to Laura’s intuition and skill of cooking. So she completely deserves [to be in the finale].’

Reynold went on to say that he definitely ‘screwed up’ while trying to make the dessert and was rightfully eliminated.

‘I deserve to come third. Everyone has bad days in the kitchen,’ he said.

The dessert king was sent home after making a ‘too sweet’ version of a toffee apple dessert invented by guest judge Martin Benn.

Following his elimination, viewers were quick to vent their anger on social media.

Reynold broke down in tears as he was sent home, and was so upset he was unable to speak.

After composing himself, he admitted: ‘I feel pretty devastated. I really believed that I could win. But even though I didn’t win I’d say it was all worth it. 

‘It was all a journey. I don’t know where it’s going to take me but I know from here on, it’s nowhere but up.’

The MasterChef: Back to Win finale airs Monday at 7.30pm on Channel 10