Hayley Bilton stands by MasterChef dish that got her eliminated

After under cooking her lamb rack, MasterChef contestant Hayley Bilton was sent home. Photo/ supplied

Hayley Bilton says she'd happily cook the lamb dish that got her eliminated from the finale of MasterChef New Zealand again.

Bilton was eliminated during last night's semi-finale of the TV3 reality show because her Thai lamb rack was undercooked, leaving Tim Read and Leo Fernandez battling it out in tonight's finale.

The 31-year-old told the Herald the mistake which cost her her place in the competition was not one she had made before.

Hayley leaves the MasterChef kitchen for the final time.

"I always cook lamb perfectly but just not this day. I put it down to [putting] the lamb on a cold tray to go in the oven and I should have used a hot pan," she said.

Despite the problems, Bilton - a territory manager for a beverage company - would happily cook the dish again.

"I would've put my lamb on a bit sooner so I wouldn't have undercooked lamb, but I stand by my dish and wouldn't change a thing. It's still an amazing dish."

Bilton's elimination leaves Leo Fernandez and Tim Read to battle it out for the top spot.

After under cooking her lamb rack, MasterChef contestant Hayley Bilton was sent home. Photo/ supplied

The winner will be revealed in tonight's final episode. Bilton said her money was on Read.

"My fingers are crossed for Tim, he is the most humble and extraordinary human I have ever met and he will go far in life no matter what. [He] will always be a friend for life."

nzherald.co.nz