IT was a French-themed challenge cooked under intense pressure, but Ballina's Billie McKay has secured a spot in this year's MasterChef finals.

Billie is also tipped as a favourite to win the contest.

Recently eliminated cook Stephen Rooney has tipped Ms McKay, 23, as the one to beat because of her positive attitude and ability to deal with pressure.

She remained calm during a highly stressful test at Melbourne's L'Hotel Gitan restaurant this week.

Missed it? See this week's episode here

In the episode's French challenge, the contestants were split into two teams and were asked to cook two main courses and one dessert for 70 diners, under the direction of strict celebrity chef Marco Pierre White.

Ms McKay was part of the winning team with fellow contestant Georgia and is now through to the MasterChef finals.

Georgia and Billie worked in harmony to create a prawn and mussel bisque and beef mains.

The Blue Team's eye fillet with cauliflower and spek mash was the judged the best dish of the night.

Georgia and Billie's white chocolate mousse with figs and pomegranate syrup was the final dish served out to diners, and was described by the judges described as "clever".

Ms McKay said her intensive learning experience on the show has solidified her goal of one day opening a restaurant on the Northern Rivers region.