Million's watched on as "Ormeggio at The Spit" apprentice Alex Keene put up a riveting fight with a heart-stopping cook-off against MasterChef heartthrob lifeguard Hayden Quinn.

MasterChef Judge Matt Preston announced the all new challenge - stating Quinn was up against the newly hatted restaurant's gifted prodgie.

"Alex if you don't win, I cut your head off, said Keen's boss - Ormeggio owner and top Northern Italian Chef Alessandro Pavoni - only half joking, before the challenge.

Described by Quinn as "a mountain of a man", Pavoni's watchful eye was not enough to lead the apprentice to victory. The judges - Chef George Calombaris, Food Critic Matt Preston and Chef and surprise judge Justin North of Sydney's two hatted restaurant Bécasse announced the total scores - 22/30 for Quinn, with Keene loosing by a hairs width at 21/30 in the Immunity Challenge.

"This is high quality cooking, the playing field has been levelled," Preston said of both dishes. "It's a close one," Calombaris concurred.

The immunity challenge is a new element in Australia's highest rating television show, earning the winner - Quinn the first immunity pin to escape elimination.

The cook-off took 70 minutes for Quinn and 60 minutes for Keene - Quinn had the advantage of retaining the recipe to follow. The two cooks hit the pans to create "Agnolotti Bagoss" - a ravioli with basil sauce, tomatoes and anchovy crumbs. The dish was selected by Judge Gary Mehigan from Ormeggio's scrumptious degustation menu.

Pavoni says he's thrilled Keene put up such a tough fight, and almost won. "It's a great opportunity to be on MasterChef for any apprentice, and I think Alex performed excellently. Taking out Hayden in the challenge would have been the icing on the cake, but I am proud Alex came so close," he says.

Agnolotti Bagoss can be sampled this month at Pavoni's restaurant near the Spit Bridge at D'Albora Marina, between Mosman and Manly. Visitors can review Keene and Pavoni in a whir of pots, knives and flames beyond the pass as they tuck into the famous pasta - looking out over beautiful Middle harbour waterway.

The all new MasterChef Immunity Challenge happens each week on Tuesday night. The winner of the Sunday night challenge takes part and cooks-off with anyone from a renowned chef to an apprentice, or another home cook.

Neither competitor knows what dish they will be cooking until the judges reveal it just before the clock starts ticking. If the contestant's dish is voted as the best, they will win an Immunity Pin. Stay tuned for more MasterChef action Sunday through till Friday from 7.30pm.

Images available on - www.flickr.com/photos/cardinalspin/collections

Contact ella@cardinalspin.com.au directly to discuss P: +61 2 8065 3504.