It's rare for a contestant to say what a "great day" it is when they've just missed the chance to compete in a television grand final.
But in this week's penultimate MasterChef New Zealand episode, Alice's elimination from the competition was also a job offer at one of New Zealand's best restaurants.
The 22-year-old masters student had just completed her politics thesis in the days before she auditioned for the food reality show. And during the course of the show, she had decided she wanted to change her career plans to pursue her love of food seriously, becoming well-known for her role as MasterChef's "dessert queen".
"I did everything I wanted to do in this competition and I'm super proud," she said after her MasterChef loss against grand finalist Sam Low.
"I think I remember you saying that Baduzzi is one of your favourite restaurants," judge and restaurant owner Michael P. Dearth mused to Alice.
As Alice nodded in agreement, Michael then gave her a lucrative offer.
"Okay, well you can rest up for two weeks. But after that, you're on the roster," Michael said.
Filled with joy, Alice gladly accepted, telling everyone "Oh my gosh! This is a great day. I feel great! I just got a job offer!"
"Wow Alice, I think five years, ten years into the future, you are going to be such a superstar," MasterChef judge Nadia Lim praised.
"I can see on the shelf this number one bookseller of 'Alice in Cakeland'."
The two remaining contestants, 27-year-old company director Elliot McClymont and 30-year-old coffee trainer Sam Low, will compete in the MasterChef New Zealand grand final this Sunday by presenting their three-course dream restaurant menu.
MasterChef New Zealand's grand final airs Sunday 7pm on Three and will be available to stream on ThreeNow.
