Lovelorn ... MasterChef contestant Jessie Spiby was homesick for boyfriend Matt when she lost focus and was eliminated from the reality TV contest. Picture: Channel 10 Source: Supplied

The 28-year-old said the couple struggled with their TV separation — the first time they’d been apart for longer than a week since they began dating six years ago.

Spiby, who came close to securing an immunity pin earlier this week, was sent home after being out-cooked by competition favourites, Georgia Barnes and Reynold Poernomo.

In a complicated ‘time auction elimination challenge’ the three contestants had to trade valuable cooking time to secure the best ingredients from a limited range made available from the usually overstocked supply pantry.

Eliminated ... Spiby competed for an immunity pin earlier this week, but found herself out after serving up a bitter butter sauce. Picture: Channel 10 Source: Supplied

Playing to the judges’ palettes, Spiby chose to present roast chicken, with caramelised parsnip puree, parsnip chips and a creamy butter sauce; while Barnes impressed with a salad dish of sardines and tomatillos; and Poernomo survived with an inventive dessert of frozen citrus curd with meringue and balsamic vinegar dressing.

Despite nailing her roast, the SA-based graphic designer and food blogger missed the mark with her sauce which the judges could not ignore.

But her exit had an upside, Spiby said, finally reunited with her partner Matt who welcomed her home with open arms.

“It had been a really flat week for me,” Spiby said, “and I wasn’t feeling completely creative. I bid on ingredients without really having an idea what to do with them and so I was pretty certain I was in (elimination) trouble.”

After watching other contestants struggle with their long-distance relationships, Spiby also battled her first bout of homesickness.

Chicken out ... Spidy was concerned her dish of roast chicken would be raw, but it was her sauce that sent her home. Picture: Channel 10 Source: Supplied

“It was the first time, pretty much, since we started dating that we’d been apart and I was missing home and my boyfriend so much. I just knew, at this point in the competition, there was no a lot of time for sentimentality and that made me feel like my neck was on the block.”

Contestants are limited to just two 10-minute phone calls each week while in lockdown for the Channel 10 series, a rule which can affect their loved ones more than those in the thick of competition.

“Most of the time you are just focused on learning new recipes and practising your skills...it was harder for him, I think.”

Coming so close to winning immunity this week was Spiby’s greatest regret.

“I didn’t listen to my gut instinct and I took advice from Shannon Bennett — who wouldn’t? — but I was going to do an orange bisque and I really think that could have been the difference.”

Matt Preston passed on the phone number for Adelaide chef Duncan Welgemoed, in the hope she could arrange some work experience at Africola, but Spiby has her own plans to get more kitchen time at Adelaide’s The Botanic working under the tutelage of executive chef, Paul Baker.

holly.byrnes@news.com.au