LOOK: Chef Miko Aspiras serves as guest judge on ‘Masterchef Australia’ finale

A true culinary star shone bright on the global stage as Filipino pastry maestro Miko Aspiras took center stage as the headlining guest judge for the grand finale of MasterChef Australia Season 17. The pressure was on for the final contestants, who were tasked with recreating his astonishing "Botanical Garden" dessert.

This wasn't just any dessert; it was a sprawling, edible landscape comprising 149 intricate steps and requiring a formidable 4.5 hours to complete. Judges lauded it as a "stroke of genius," a testament to Aspiras's unparalleled artistry in the pastry world.

Beyond his culinary prowess, Aspiras charmed audiences with his vibrant personality. "Food: judged. Looks: served. One-liners: iconic," the show playfully commented, highlighting his candid remarks and expressive reactions that kept both judges and contestants entertained. Aspiras himself had revealed his surprise guest appearance on August 11, eagerly anticipating the "final pressure test" he'd set for the finalists.

The "Botanical Garden" was a symphony of delicate components, meticulously arranged to mimic nature's beauty. It featured raspberry and strawberry gum truffle lollipop "flowers" with ganache centers dipped in raspberry chocolate, alongside profiterole "pebbles" filled with Earl Grey tea mousse and mandarin dark chocolate ganache, all coated in dark chocolate and sprinkled with lemon crumble. Adding to the natural aesthetic were wattle seed tuile "twigs" and the truly innovative aloe vera "spikes," which contained a burst of calamansi gel foam.

Intriguingly, Vogue Philippines reported that the MasterChef team discovered Aspiras through his captivating social media presence, inviting him to the show after tracking his work online. Aspiras, despite his previous role as executive pastry chef at Sydney's fine-dining establishment Oborozuki, confessed his surprise, considering himself "relatively unknown in Australia" prior to the invitation.

Back home in the Philippines, Aspiras is the creative force behind beloved concepts like Scout’s Honor, Le Petit Soufflé, and Gelato by Chef Miko. Since his move to Australia in 2019, he has also established Euca Gelato in Sydney. Ultimately, contestant Laura Sharrad conquered the daunting "Botanical Garden" challenge, clinching the MasterChef Australia: Back to Win title and the $250,000 grand prize.