Of the 500 people who auditioned for the show last year, the new entrants teacher at Elmgrove School in Mosgiel has made it to the last three.
Despite knowing the ultimate outcome of the series, he is remaining tight-lipped about what happens in Sunday's show on TV One at 8.30pm.
"Who knows? My days as a primary school teacher in Mosgiel may be numbered," he teases.
"Lots of people ask me who wins. But I can't say. I don't want to be the MasterChef grinch who spoils the show."
Stu said whether he reached the final or not, he was proud of his achievements, and the professional knowledge and experience he had gained from the show was extraordinary.
"Six months ago, all 12 contestants were just cooking for their families. There was no training - we were all strictly home cooks.
"To be thrown into a situation where you are cooking for some of the top chefs in New Zealand and in the world is pretty intense."
Stu said seeing himself on television, and absorbing the heat of public attention was "a bit weird" initially, but he was now comfortable with a measure of celebrity status.
"Every Monday morning, the kids at school say, 'Mr Todd, I saw you on telly again last night'. They are my No 1 fans."
"People do recognise me on the street. When I go to the Farmers Market on a Saturday morning to buy a bacon buttie, people tell me I should be making it myself."
When asked if he could give up teaching easily to become a professional chef, Stu said it had played on his mind for some time.
"If the opportunity comes up, I would look at all avenues. I miss nothing. It would be a dream to work with food day in and day out."
Rivalry at this stage of the competition was simmering between himself and semifinalists Jax Hamilton and Nadia Lim.
At the time of filming the show, the only thing that scared him more than burning the creme brulee, was coming face-to-face with MasterChef judge Josh Emett.
"I'm scared of Josh because he's the executioner. He's the guy who gives one of us the chop each week."
As an entree to the big show, Stu will pack down in the front row for Southern in a Premier 2 rugby match with Brighton today.
