Reynold Poernomo appears unimpressed with the daily grind at KOI Dessert Bar

MasterChef star Reynold Poernomo looks glum as he returns to the daily grind at his KOI Dessert Bar – after admitting the eatery is ‘struggling’

He placed third in MasterChef Australia: Back To Win. 

On Friday, Reynold Poernomo appeared unimpressed with daily grind of working at his eatery, KOI Dessert Bar, in Sydney. 

The ‘dessert king’, 26, looked glum as he served customers and waited for his shift to finish. 

 Hard at work: On Friday, MasterChef star Reynold Poernomo (picture) appeared unimpressed with daily grind of working at his eatery, KOI Dessert Bar, in Sydney

 The chef cut a casual figure in a slim-fitting black t-shirt, which he covered with an apron while on the job. 

Last week, Reynold was eliminated from MasterChef after an emotional pressure test. 

When presenting his candy apple dessert to the judges, Reynold admitted that his KOI Dessert Bar was struggling.   

‘Like, we do have Koi. People think it’s successful. And it is. It’s great.  I guess there were moments where we took the success for granted,’ he said, breaking down.

Unimpressed: The ‘dessert king’, 26, looked glum as he served customers and waited for his shift to finish 

‘I’m not going to go too into details and… now there’s a lot of things that we’re trying to keep our head up high, trying to maintain our image. 

‘People see it as, like, the products are so great. But why is it that we’re still struggling?’   

‘So that’s the saddest part about this business. It’s, like, hospitality industry has never been easy. I didn’t come on here for the fame or anything like that. 

Struggles? Last week, Reynold was eliminated from MasterChef. When presenting his candy apple dessert to the judges, Reynold admitted that his KOI Dessert Bar was struggling

Struggles? Last week, Reynold was eliminated from MasterChef. When presenting his candy apple dessert to the judges, Reynold admitted that his KOI Dessert Bar was struggling 

He admitted: 'People see it as, like, the products are so great. But why is it that we're still struggling? So that's the saddest part about this business'

 He admitted: ‘People see it as, like, the products are so great. But why is it that we’re still struggling? So that’s the saddest part about this business’ 

‘I came on here because I love to cook. The only thing I’m good at’ he added. 

Reynold’s admission moved the judges, especially Melissa Leong, who related to his struggles as a child of immigrants.

Upon being eliminated, Reynold broke down completely, and was unable to speak as he wept.

Afterwards, the chef admitted: ‘I feel pretty devastated. I really believed that I could win. But even though I didn’t win I’d say it was all worth it.’  

So upset: Upon being eliminated, Reynold broke down completely, and was unable to speak as he wept. Afterwards, the chef admitted: 'I feel pretty devastated'

So upset: Upon being eliminated, Reynold broke down completely, and was unable to speak as he wept. Afterwards, the chef admitted: ‘I feel pretty devastated’