A quiet morning in the Masterchef House as the contestants recuperate from their big week in W.A. Shannon puts on her lucky necklace and decides it’s time for her to “mix it up.” We have an inkling she could be in for a big day.
Entering the Masterchef Kitchen, Dani observes benches set up and concludes it looks like they’ll be cooking. With his reward from last night’s Immunity Challenge Jay is safe from elimination. He heads upstairs to observe from the gallery.
The rules of engagement are explained by Matt Preston resplendent in shades of mauve. No core ingredient, no theme, a pantry chock full of ingredients and as much as you like in 10 minutes, followed by 90 minutes cooking. The contestants are excited. It’s too good to be true. Of course it is.
Entering the pantry the waiting camera captures the bewilderment. Dani “chokes up and can’t breathe.” Sun is “surprised no one burst into tears, because it’s a horror story.” Shannon “has no friggin’ idea what to do.” Danielle’s “heart has sunk a little” and Ellie is wondering where’s all the fresh produce? Oh yes, one thing Matt forgot to mention – it’s a tinned and frozen food challenge.
Hayden brings us to back to reality recalling the challenges of grassroots everyday cooking, as everyone wonders what to do with their piles of cans. The smart amateur cooks have chosen deserts and are underway. Alana is feeling really frazzled and Dani seems to be planning a smorgasbord -she has three dishes on the go as Gary announces “it’s canned chaos – one hour to go!”
Shannon is fully invested in her ice-cream but with two burnt batches of caramel is concentrating hard on her final attempt. Gary has spotted Andrews tinned clams and crab and already knows he’s in trouble. Gary’s countdown continues – “15 minutes, time to pop the lid off this challenge and cook us something delicious!”
Time to plate up. Dani’s mind is in a fluster and she can’t think straight as she drops her soft shell crab dish on the floor. Good thing she has two spare alternatives. It’s all starting to come together for Alana. She’s put her foam into the flask, piped it down, squeezes the trigger and...explodes her desert! She thinks she’s automatically into the bottom two.
Alana is first to be called forward. She has done her best to recover her Layered Lychee and Chocolate Jelly Dessert, disguising it with some Tuilles. It’s well received.
Next up is Andrew with a Crab and Clam Mousse Tart which appears to be surrounded by a moat of Green Lentil Salsa. His comedic presentation is the least of his problems. Gary doesn’t even want to taste it. “Oooh,” the mousse is “ghastly gag material.” At least the lentils were OK.
Billy presents his Coconut Panna Cotta with Chocolate Mousse and Guava Sorbet. Matt loves it. George pronounces it “sex on a plate.”
It’s a hard act for Kumar to follow with Salmon Crusted with Wasabi and Lemon Myrtle served with Stir Fried Vegetables. Matt’s sad shake of the head says it all – oily, slippery, mushy texture. Arena gets a smile and a nod for her Blueberry Custard Tart, and the hero of Adams Seafood Curry dish were the accompanying Spring Rolls which George thought were “a cracker.”
We continue with Rachel and her Salmon En Croute which George didn’t think was his cup of tea. Dani wants to go and hide in her bedroom rather than present her dishes but fronts up with a Tom Yum Soup and Guava Custard Tart. Questioned by Gary, we learn it’s “Sad Dani” not “Happy Dani” today. She’s knows it’s bad and “feels like she’s spinning in a giant tornado.” As a tear rolls down her cheek it’s time for some philosophy from George “you have to clear your mind when you cook, because when you’re mind is full of stuff, you can’t cook straight.”
Finally we get to see Shannon and her chocolate and cherry ice-cream sandwich. Matt likes the crunch in the biscuit. George thinks it’s “the day that you shine.” Shannon is proud of “having cooked without fear.”
Five contenders for the top two as Billy, Arena, Alana, Adam and Shannon are called forward. Billy has produced the cleverest dish by far. Joining him for the reward Private Masterclass is Shannon.
Time to discover who will cook off in tomorrow’s Elimination Challenge. Andrew and Kumar are summonsed. No build up here – it’s them. Rachel and Dani have dodged a bullet.
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