YOU could have heard a pin drop at Katherine’s Escarpment Restaurant where supporters, friends and family of Katherine stockman Lynton Tapp had gathered on Sunday night to watch their local hero cook in the finale of this year’s Masterchef cooking show.

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And in a nail-biting episode it was a soft meringue that cost the humble Katherinite the title.

After finalist Samira El Khafir was knocked out in the first round of the finals, Lynton and fellow contestant Emma Dean, from Victoria, battled it out in two rounds.

In the final pressure test they had two hours to prepare and construct a dessert - plight of the bumble bees - presented by respected Australian chef Ben Shewry.

It was the most complex dessert ever brought into the Masterchef kitchen and judges Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris, Matt Preston and Shewry each awarded Emma a nine out of 10.

> Read the full story in the print edition of the Katherine Times, Wednesday, September 4, or subscribe to the e-edition for $30 a year.