MasterChef Australia (season 3)
Encyclopedia
The third season of MasterChef Australia
premiered on Sunday, 1 May 2011 at 7:30 pm on Network Ten
. Judges George Calombaris
, Gary Mehigan
and Matt Preston
returned from the previous series and were joined by Matt Moran
. The third season was won by Kate Bracks
who defeated Michael Weldon in the grand finale on 7 August 2011. The second part of the series' final (episode 85, "The Winner Announced"), attracted an audience of 2.74 million viewers, making it the third most viewed episode of any Australian television series of 2011, only beaten by the final episodes of The Block
(3.09 million) and Australia's Got Talent
(2.98 million).
.
A twist used in past seasons of the show to bring back eliminated contestants for a second chance has been dropped for season 3.
While the weekly routine is mostly unchanged, there are some small differences in season 3.
Sunday night's challenge will not be restricted to a Mystery Box Challenge and an Invention Test, with Team and Offsite Challenges also used.
The Tuesday night challenge has been modified: now known as an immunity challenge rather than a celebrity chef challenge, the standing of the opponent will vary, with anyone from a home cook to an apprentice or a well-known chef appearing. The rules vary slightly from week to week, but typically the contestant(s) will be given a recipe and a time advantage but neither competitor will have knowledge of what they are about to cook until just before the challenge starts.
Eliminations on Thursdays will no longer be decided by taste tests; final challenges will be based on cooking.
In Week 1, the judges selected the twenty-four finalists from the Top 50. In Week 2, prior to the first Top 24 challenge, it was revealed that Paul had withdrawn from the competition citing work commitments. His place was taken by Alex. Also, instead of the traditional Sunday Challenge, contestants were asked to cook the dish that "changed their life". There was no Bottom 3 for this challenge. In Weeks 3 and 7, the entire losing team went through to the Elimination Challenge, where they competed in three rounds, until two remained for the final round. In Week 4, the Sunday Challenge featured contestants working in groups of three. The entire winning team went into the Immunity Challenge. In Weeks 4, 9 and 12 the entire losing team went through to the Elimination Challenge, from which the bottom performers were selected. In Week 5 (Western Australia Week), the Sunday Challenge was a Team Challenge. The losing team did not face elimination. In Week 5, the winners of the Team Challenge competed for a spot in the Immunity Challenge. The winner also received immunity for the next Elimination Challenge. In Week 5, Wednesday's challenge was an individual cooking challenge. The Bottom 2 went into an Elimination Challenge, and the Top 2 received a special reward and MasterClass. In Week 7, the Sunday Challenge featured contestants working in pairs. The winning pair decided amongst themselves who would contest the Immunity Challenge, while the two worst performing teams went into an Elimination Challenge. In Week 8s Pressure Test, Adam was not the weakest competitor but chose to withdraw from the competition. In Week 8, the entire losing team went through to the Elimination Challenge, where they competed in two preliminary rounds. The weakest performer from each preliminary round was sent to the final cook-off. In Week 10, the Sunday Challenge featured a Mystery Box challenge and Invention Test. Kate won the Mystery Box challenge, while Dani won the Invention Test. Prior to the Offsite Challenge, Mat was removed from the competition for using a smartphone, his place taken by last eliminated contestant Billy. In Week 10, the entire losing team went through to the Elimination Challenge, where they competed in three rounds, until two remained for the final round. The Top 2 from the winning team then got a reward (flying business class to New York City
). In Week 11, the Sunday Challenge was the first in a week in New York. The loser of the challenge went into lockdown for an elimination challenge later in the week. In Week 11, instead of a Pressure Test contestants competed to win the chance to take part in the Celebrity Chef Challenge. Ellie won the challenge. The loser of the challenge went into lockdown for an elimination challenge later in the week. In Week 11, the New York team challenge featured three teams of two. In Semi-Finals Week and Finals Week, there was no bottom for the Sunday Challenge. In Semi-Finals Week, instead of a Pressure Test the Top 5 cooked a meal for their families. There was no bottom for this challenge. In Semi-Finals Week, despite not being in the Bottom 2, Alana was pulled into the Elimination Challenge when Dani used her Immunity pin. In Finals Week's Pressure Test, no contestant reproduced a dish of sufficient quality, placing them all in an Elimination Challenge.
Masterchef Australia
MasterChef Australia is a Logie award winning Australian competitive cooking game show based on the original British MasterChef. It is produced by FremantleMedia Australia and screens on Network Ten. Restaurateur and chef Gary Mehigan, chef George Calombaris and food critic Matt Preston serve as...
premiered on Sunday, 1 May 2011 at 7:30 pm on Network Ten
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
. Judges George Calombaris
George Calombaris
George Calombaris is an Australian chef and a judge of the Network Ten series MasterChef Australia. Prior to his role on MasterChef, Calombaris regularly appeared on the daytime Ten cooking show Ready Steady Cook. He owns three restaurants in Melbourne and one in Mykonos, Greece...
, Gary Mehigan
Gary Mehigan
Gary Mehigan is an English chef, restaurateur and a judge of the Network Ten series MasterChef Australia.Mehigan also co-hosts two shows on Australia's Lifestyle Food Channel, Good Chef, Bad Chef, and Boy's Weekend and will be appearing at the 2011 Good Food & Wine Show.Mehigan trained at The...
and Matt Preston
Matt Preston
Matt Preston is a British-Australian food journalist and restaurant critic. He is best known for his role as a judge on Network Ten's MasterChef Australia and his weekly food column in the Herald Sun 'Taste' supplement...
returned from the previous series and were joined by Matt Moran
Matt Moran
Matthew Moran,commonly known as Matt Moran, is an Australian chef also known for being a guest on various TV cooking shows.- Early childhood and education :...
. The third season was won by Kate Bracks
Kate Bracks
Kate Bracks is an Australian television chef. She was the winner of the third series of MasterChef Australia.Bracks, the mother of three children, was previously a school teacher. She lives in Orange, New South Wales and attends Orange Evangelical Church...
who defeated Michael Weldon in the grand finale on 7 August 2011. The second part of the series' final (episode 85, "The Winner Announced"), attracted an audience of 2.74 million viewers, making it the third most viewed episode of any Australian television series of 2011, only beaten by the final episodes of The Block
The Block (Australian TV series)
The Block is an Australian reality television show broadcast on the Nine Network. The show sees four couples compete against each other to renovate a home and sell it at auction for the highest price....
(3.09 million) and Australia's Got Talent
Australia's Got Talent
Australia's Got Talent is an Australian reality television talent show which premiered on 18 February 2007 on the Seven Network. The show was based on the Got Talent series format that originated in the United Kingdom with Simon Cowell...
(2.98 million).
Changes
The third season of MasterChef Australia brought some changes to the format of the show. Joining the judging panel as a regular guest is chef Matt MoranMatt Moran
Matthew Moran,commonly known as Matt Moran, is an Australian chef also known for being a guest on various TV cooking shows.- Early childhood and education :...
.
A twist used in past seasons of the show to bring back eliminated contestants for a second chance has been dropped for season 3.
While the weekly routine is mostly unchanged, there are some small differences in season 3.
Sunday night's challenge will not be restricted to a Mystery Box Challenge and an Invention Test, with Team and Offsite Challenges also used.
The Tuesday night challenge has been modified: now known as an immunity challenge rather than a celebrity chef challenge, the standing of the opponent will vary, with anyone from a home cook to an apprentice or a well-known chef appearing. The rules vary slightly from week to week, but typically the contestant(s) will be given a recipe and a time advantage but neither competitor will have knowledge of what they are about to cook until just before the challenge starts.
Eliminations on Thursdays will no longer be decided by taste tests; final challenges will be based on cooking.
Opening Week
The opening week of MasterChef Australia saw 50 contestants competing for the 24 positions in the main competition. Twenty-six were eliminated:| Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contestant | Age | State | Occupation | Status |
| Kate Bracks Kate Bracks Kate Bracks is an Australian television chef. She was the winner of the third series of MasterChef Australia.Bracks, the mother of three children, was previously a school teacher. She lives in Orange, New South Wales and attends Orange Evangelical Church... |
36 | NSW New South Wales New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales... |
Mum | font style="color:white;">Winner 7 August |
| Michael Weldon | 25 | SA South Australia South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland... |
Film Projectionist | Runner-up 7 August |
| Alana Lowes Alana Lowes Alana Jane Lowes is a writer, presenter and actress. In 2011 Lowes competed in Series 3 of MasterChef Australia. She eventually finished third, behind Kate Bracks and Michael Weldon.-Early life and career:... |
30 | QLD Queensland Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean... |
Journalist | Eliminated 4 August |
| Dani Venn | 25 | VIC Victoria (Australia) Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively.... |
Publicist | Eliminated 2 August |
| Ellie Paxton-Hall | 21 | QLD Queensland Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean... |
Student Nurse | Eliminated 28 July |
| Hayden Quinn | 24 | NSW New South Wales New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales... |
Professional Lifeguard | Eliminated 21 July |
| Billy Law | 34 | NSW New South Wales New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales... |
Web Designer | Eliminated 18 July Returned 6 July Eliminated 4 July |
| Sun Etheridge | 32 | QLD Queensland Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean... |
Credit Analyst | Eliminated 14 July |
| Peter Vickery | 50 | NSW New South Wales New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales... |
Account Manager | Eliminated 7 July |
| Mat Beyer | 23 | VIC Victoria (Australia) Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively.... |
IT Tech Support | Removed 6 July |
| Kumar Pereira | 62 | NSW New South Wales New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales... |
Design Teacher | Eliminated 30 June |
| Danielle Dixon | 29 | QLD Queensland Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean... |
Admin Manager | Eliminated 27 June |
| Craig Young | 43 | QLD Queensland Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean... |
Professional Musician | Eliminated 23 June |
| Adam Bowen | 31 | QLD Queensland Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean... |
Scuba Diving Instructor | Resigned 20 June |
| Shannon Smyth | 26 | QLD Queensland Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean... |
Receptionist | Eliminated 16 June |
| Rachel McSweeney | 45 | WA Western Australia Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east... |
Office Administrator | Eliminated 13 June |
| Arena Dunn | 25 | WA Western Australia Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east... |
Personal Trainer | Eliminated 9 June |
| Jay Huxley | 31 | NSW New South Wales New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales... |
Car Sales Manager | Eliminated 6 June |
| Andrew Henderson | 37 | SA South Australia South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland... |
Youth Worker | Eliminated 2 June |
| Cleo Kerameas | 45 | NSW New South Wales New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales... |
Executive Assistant | Eliminated 26 May |
| Chelsea Fammartino | 34 | VIC Victoria (Australia) Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively.... |
Retail Assistant | Eliminated 23 May |
| Seamus Ashley | 32 | VIC Victoria (Australia) Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively.... |
Graphic & Web Designer | Eliminated 19 May |
| Alex Glasson | 26 | WA Western Australia Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east... |
CNC Machinist | Eliminated 16 May |
| Tom Rutledge | 29 | NSW New South Wales New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales... |
General Manager | Eliminated 12 May |
| Paul Lombardi | 33 | WA Western Australia Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east... |
Fighter Pilot | Withdrawn 9 May |
Guests
- Adriano ZumboZumbo (TV series)Zumbo is an Australian observational documentary television series following patissier Adriano Zumbo at his Balmain kitchen business.The series premiered on 10 February 2011 and ran for 6 episodes...
- Top 50 Elimination 1, Pressure Test 10 - Maggie BeerMaggie BeerMaggie Beer is an Australian cook, food author, restaurateur and food manufacturer.-Earlier life:Born Margaret Ann Ackermann in Sydney in January 1945 to Ronald Ackermann and Doreen Carter.-Career:...
- Top 50 Pressure Test, MasterClass 1, Pressure Test 9 - Justin North - Immunity Challenge 1, MasterClass 2, MasterClass 9, Elimination Challenge 9
- Alessandro Pavoni - Immunity Challenge 1, MasterClass 2, Immunity Challenge 9
- Andrew Connole - Offsite Challenge 1
- Abla Ahmet - Elimination Challenge 1
- Shaun Presland - Elimination Challenge 1
- Colin Fassnidge - Immunity Challenge 2, MasterClass 3, Worst Nightmare Challenge
- Andrew McConnell - Immunity Challenge 2
- Leanne Beck - MasterClass 3
- Adam D'Sylva - Immunity Challenge 3
- Mark Jensen - Immunity Challenge 3
- Romeo Baudouin - MasterClass 4
- Donna HayDonna HayDonna Hay is an Australian food stylist, author, and magazine editor.She is best known as the author of 14 bestselling cookbooks, including Off the Shelf, Modern Classics , The Instant Cook, Christmas, and Instant Entertaining. Selling over 3 million copies worldwide, her books are known for their...
- MasterClass 4 - Jake Drachenberg - WA Invention Test
- Tony Howell - Immunity Challenge 4
- Hadleigh Troy - Immunity Challenge 4
- Frank Shek - MasterClass 5
- Dan Hong - Pressure Test 3
- Martin Boetz - Immunity Challenge 5
- Thorsten Schmidt - Immunity Challenge 5
- Nigella LawsonNigella LawsonNigella Lucy Lawson is an English food writer, journalist and broadcaster. Lawson is the daughter of Nigel Lawson, the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Vanessa Salmon, whose family owned the J. Lyons and Co. empire...
- Offsite Challenge 4 - Rick SteinRick SteinChristopher Richard "Rick" Stein OBE is an English chef, restaurateur and television presenter. He is currently the head chef and co-owner of "Rick Stein at Bannisters" at Mollymook, New South Wales, Australia, owns four restaurants in Padstow, a fish and chip shop in Falmouth, Cornwall and has...
- MasterClass 6 - Chef WanChef WanChef Wan is a Malaysian celebrity chef. His real name is Redzuawan Ismail.- Career :His early career was as an accountant. He says after seeing the popularity of many types of Asian food in Western countries he decided to promote Malaysia and other South East Asian countries using their food.He has...
- MasterClass 6 - Neil PerryNeil PerryNeil Arthur Perry is a prominent Australian chef, restaurateur, author and television presenter. He also is the co-ordinator for Qantas Flight Catering under his company Rockpool Consulting and has a food brand sold under his name, available at Woolworths Supermarkets.Perry co-owns and is...
- QANTAS Fine Dining Challenge, QANTAS First Lounge Challenge - Thomas KellerThomas KellerThomas Keller is an American chef, restaurateur, and cookbook writer. He and his landmark Napa Valley restaurant, The French Laundry in Yountville, California, have won multiple awards from the James Beard Foundation, notably the Best California Chef in 1996, and the Best Chef in America in 1997...
- QANTAS Fine Dining Challenge - Andoni AdurizMugaritzMugaritz is a restaurant in Errenteria, Spain with 2 Michelin stars. Chef Andoni Aduriz apprenticed at El Bulli. Mugaritz was voted 4th best restaurant in the world by Restaurant in 2008, up from 7th place in 2007. In 2011 the restaurant had climbed to the 3rd place...
- QANTAS Fine Dining Challenge - Heston BlumenthalHeston BlumenthalHeston Marc Blumenthal OBE is an English chef and owner of The Fat Duck, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Bray, Berkshire voted Best Restaurant in the UK by The Good Food Guide 2007 and 2009, and voted best restaurant in the world by Restaurant magazine in 2005...
- Pressure Test 4 - Darren Purchese - Immunity Challenge 6
- Matt Stone - Offsite Challenge 5
- James Privett - MasterClass 7
- David ChangDavid ChangDavid Chang is a noted Korean-American chef. He is chef/owner of the Momofuku restaurant group, which includes Momofuku Noodle Bar, Momofuku Ssäm Bar, Má Pêche, Milk Bar and Momofuku Ko in New York City, the latter for which he was awarded two Michelin stars in 2009, and Momofuku Seiōbo in...
- Sunday Challenge 6, Ultimate Dinner Party Challenge - Mary Calombaris - Pressure Test 5, MasterClass 8
- Jeremy Strode - Immunity Challenge 7
- Vincent Gadan - Immunity Challenge 7, MasterClass 8
- Shane Osborn - Team Reward Challenge 7
- Christine Manfield - MasterClass 8, Immunity Challenge 8
- Matthew Kemp - Pressure Test 6
- Fleur Sullivan - MasterClass 9
- Al Brown - MasterClass 9
- Simon Gault - MasterClass 9
- Martin Bosley - MasterClass 9
- Shane Delia - Sunday Challenge 8
- Armando Percuoco - Immunity Challenge 9
- Marco Pierre WhiteMarco Pierre WhiteMarco Pierre White is a British celebrity chef, restaurateur and television personality. He is noted for his contributions to contemporary international cuisine, and his exceptional culinary skills....
- Offsite Challenge 8 - Andre Ursini - Masterclass 10
- Jimmy Seervai - Masterclass 10
- Alvin Quah - Masterclass 10
- Luke NguyenLuke NguyenLuke Nguyen is a Vietnamese Australian chef, the owner of Red Lantern restaurant in Surry Hills, Sydney.He has written food books and is the host of Luke Nguyen's Vietnam, a food documentary in which he travels through Vietnam, cooking in the ad hoc manner of the street vendors in the country,...
- Masterclass 10 - Anthony BourdainAnthony BourdainAnthony Michael "Tony" Bourdain is an American chef, author and television personality. He is well known for his 2000 book Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly, and is the host of Travel Channel's culinary and cultural adventure program Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations.A...
- Sunday Challenge 9 - Eric RipertEric RipertEric Ripert is a chef, author and television personality specializing in modern French cuisine and renowned for his work with seafood. His flagship restaurant, Le Bernardin, located in New York City, is routinely ranked among the best restaurants in the world by Restaurant magazine's and S...
- Sunday Challenge 9 - Armando Monterroso - United Nations Challenge
- Lidia BastianichLidia BastianichLidia Matticchio Bastianich is an American chef, author, and restaurateur....
- Immunity Challenge 10 - Cesare CasellaCesare CasellaCesare Casella is a Italian chef, restaurateur, writer, consultant and educator. He is the owner and executive chef of Salumeria Rosi a salami shop and restaurant located in New York City's Upper West Side....
- Immunity Challenge 10 - Jon Bignelli - Ultimate Dinner Party Challenge
- Paul Liebrandt - Ultimate Dinner Party Challenge
- The Woods familySylvia WoodsSylvia Woods opened the African American restaurant Sylvia's in Harlem on Lenox Avenue, New York, NY. The soul food eatery is a popular gathering place not far from the Apollo Theater....
- Elimination Challenge 10 - Daniel BouludDaniel BouludDaniel Boulud is a French chef and restaurateur with restaurants in New York City, Palm Beach, Miami, Montreal, Beijing, and Singapore...
- MasterClass 11 - Sandy LevineCarnegie DeliThe Carnegie Deli is a restaurant located in midtown Manhattan on 7th Avenue between 54th and 55th Streets and was opened in 1937 adjacent to Carnegie Hall. Now in the third generation of owners, the Parker family's delicatessen is among the most visited restaurants of its type in the city,...
- MasterClass 11 - Steve Evetts - MasterClass 11
- 14th Dalai Lama14th Dalai LamaThe 14th Dalai Lama is the 14th and current Dalai Lama. Dalai Lamas are the most influential figures in the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, although the 14th has consolidated control over the other lineages in recent years...
- Sunday Challenge 10 - Kylie KwongKylie KwongKylie Kwong , is a prominent Australian television chef, author, television presenter and restaurateur.-Early life and education:...
- Sunday Challenge 10 - Tim CostelloTim CostelloTimothy Ewen Costello AO is a prominent Baptist minister and current CEO of World Vision Australia.He is an "Australian Living Treasure". He is the brother of former treasurer of Australia and Federal Member for Higgins Peter Costello....
- Sunday Challenge 10 - Shanaka FernandoLentil as AnythingLentil as Anything is series of pay-as-you-feel, organic, vegetarian restaurants in Melbourne, Australia. There are currently four restaurants, the first of which opened in 2000 in St. Kilda, the largest is located in the former Abbotsford Convent, in Abbotsford, an inner eastern suburb of Melbourne...
- Sunday Challenge 10 - Bill Crews - Sunday Challenge 10
- Ronnie Khan - Sunday Challenge 10
- Katrina Kanetani - Pressure Test 8
- Eamon SullivanEamon SullivanEamon Wade Sullivan is an Australian sprint swimmer.-Career :In April 2002 at the Australian Age Championships, Sullivan won the 50 m freestyle and came second in 100 m in his age group, and swam for Australia at Trans Tasman series with no dramatic result.In April 2003 at Brisbane in the Fisher &...
- Immunity Challenge 11 - Philippa Sibley - Immunity Challenge 11
- Teage Ezard - Immunity Challenge 12
- Shannon Bennett - Immunity Challenge 12, MasterClass 14
- Donovan Cook - Worst Nightmare Challenge
- Ashly Hicks - Worst Nightmare Challenge
- Anthea Leonard - MasterClass 13
- Curtis StoneCurtis StoneCurtis Stone is an Australian celebrity chef, author and television personality, nicknamed "The Quiet Terminator" by fans following his performance on The Celebrity Apprentice 3.-Background:...
- Sunday Challenge 12 - Mark Best - Three Hat Challenge
- Peter Doyle - Three Hat Challenge
- Peter Gilmore - Three Hat Challenge
- René RedzepiRené RedzepiRené Redzepi is the chef and co-owner of the two-Michelin star restaurant Noma in the Christianshavn neighborhood of Copenhagen, Denmark. His restaurant was voted the best restaurant in the world in 2010 San Pellegrino Awards and 2011...
- Grand Finale
Episodes
| Ep#/Wk-Ep# | Original airdate | Episode Title / Event | Total viewers (5 Metro Cities) | Nightly Ranking | Weekly Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | |||||
| 1/01-1 | Sunday 1 May 2011 | Series Premiere: Top 50 Part 1 - The top 50 began with a giant mystery box challenge, using commonly bought ingredients. The 10 worst performers were sent into a chocolate elimination challenge led by Adriano Zumbo. The 5 contestants who produced the worst dishes were eliminated from the competition. | 1,569,000 | 1st | 7th |
| 2/01-2 | Monday 2 May 2011 | Top 50 Part 2 - The remaining 45 contestants competed in a three-stage basic skills test. The five slowest to prepare 2 kg of potatoes for chips, to hand whisk a basic mayonnaise, and to correctly segment a whole chicken went into an elimination round of scone-making. The five with the least consistent and worst tasting scones were eliminated from the competition. | 1,656,000 | 2nd | 2nd |
| 3/01-3 | Tuesday 3 May 2011 | Top 50 Part 3 - 40 contestants competed in a Pressure Test, vying for six spots in the Top 24. They each had two hours to complete a dessert tasting plate set by Maggie Beer. Most contestants struggled with such a challenge, one not presenting a dish to the judges because he felt it was not of acceptable quality. In the end, it was Craig, Michael, Kate, Adam, Hayden, and Cleo who secured their spots in the main competition, while the ten least impressive performers went into an Elimination Challenge. | 1,593,000 | 1st | 4th |
| 4/01-4 | Wednesday 4 May 2011 | Top 50 Part 4 - The ten least impressive from the Pressure Test were given a choice as to what would be the core of their Elimination Challenge dish; they could spend two hours on a fishing boat and risk what (if anything) they caught, or use a mystery ingredient unknown until the start of the challenge. Of the four that chose fishing, all caught at least one fish, while crocodile was revealed as the mystery ingredient for the remaining six. Most contestants struggled with preparing such an unfamiliar meat and four more were sent home. | 1,519,000 | 1st | 8th |
| 5/01-5 | Thursday 5 May 2011 | Top 50 Part 5 - The remaining contestants competed for six more spots in the Top 24, cooking a "desert island dish" with five of their favourite ingredients. With the freedom to cook their favourite dish and no threat of elimination, many contestants talents shone through. In the end, Alana, Billy, Arena, Kumar, Seamus and Danielle received their spots in the main competition. | 1,633,000 | 1st | 3rd |
| 6/01-6 | Friday 6 May 2011 | MasterClass 1 | 1,020,000 | 2nd | 28th |
| Week 2 | |||||
| 7/02-1 | Sunday 8 May 2011 | Top 50 Part 6 - With the final twelve spots in the Top 24 on the line, the remaining contestants competed in two challenges, a taste test and an invention test. The twenty-four hopefuls were given three minutes to each taste and name as many of the thirty ingredients of Aria's Consomme, provided by Matt Moran. It was revealed that for the invention test, they would receive only the ingredients they correctly identified in the Consomme; those who fared poorly in the taste test struggled with the limitations of the challenge. Ultimately, after some debate by the judges, Andrew, Shannon, Peter, Paul, Rachel, Dani, Tom, Sun, Jay, Ellie, Mat and Chelsea emerged successful, completing the Top 24. | 1,503,000 | 3rd | 5th |
| 8/02-2 | Monday 9 May 2011 | Top 24 Cooking Challenge - The contestants competed in their first challenge in the MasterChef kitchen: preparing the dish that "changed their life". Hayden, Billy and Kate were judged the best of the day, and it was Hayden who won the right to contest the first Immunity Challenge of the season. | 1,523,000 | 1st | 6th (1,502,000) |
| 9/02-3 | Tuesday 10 May 2011 | Immunity Challenge 1 - Hayden beat Ormeggio apprentice Alex Keene (22-21) | 1,440,000 | 2nd | |
| 10/02-4 | Wednesday 11 May 2011 | Offsite Challenge 1 - Contestants were rudely awoken at midnight to discover their first team challenge: baking bread for five of Sydney's top restaurants. After being randomly selected into teams, Sun was nominated leader of the Blue Team and Tom the Red Team. The Blue Team struggled with organisation and made a couple of crucial errors in the early stages of the challenge, but recovered well to just edge out the Red Team for victory. | 1,443,000 | 2nd | |
| 11/02-5 | Thursday 12 May 2011 | Elimination Challenge 1 - As the Blue Team enjoyed their reward, the Red Team were asked to nominate their two worst performers for an In-the-round Elimination Challenge. Tom, who took responsibility as team leader, and Kumar, who's ciabatta bread contributed to the team's loss put themselves forward. They were given 90 minutes to use three guests favourite ingredients to make three of their favourite dishes with no aid of a recipe. Ultimately, Kumar received two votes to Tom's one, sealing Tom's exit from the competition. | 1,571,000 | 1st | |
| 12/02-6 | Friday 13 May 2011 | MasterClass 2 | 840,000 | 7th | 34th |
| Week 3 | |||||
| 13/03-1 | Sunday 15 May 2011 | Sunday Challenge 1 - In a Mystery Box which included rabbit and mustard fruits, contestants were tasked with producing a dish which contained every ingredient in the box. The quality of dishes presented varied wildly, with many highs and many lows, the unfamiliarity of the meat proving to be a curse for many. After a difficult decision by the judges, it was Jay who beat out Cleo and Craig for dish of the day, while Billy, Ellie and Alex landed in the Bottom 3, facing elimination. | 1,409,000 | 4th | 9th |
| 14/03-2 | Monday 16 May 2011 | Pressure Test 1 - Billy, Ellie and Alex were faced with a Cherry Bombe Alaska and a two hour time limit. Each contestant faced the challenge differently; Ellie worked calmly and methodically, Billy took a number of shortcuts and deviated from the recipe in a few key areas, and Alex struggled to juggle each element, quickly falling behind and only just finishing after judges intervention. In the end, Ellie wowed the judges with her recreation, and while Billy was warned for departing from the recipe, it was Alex who was eliminated, this time for good. | 1,571,000 | 1st | 4th |
| 15/03-3 | Tuesday 17 May 2011 | Immunity Challenge 2 - Colin Fassnidge beat Jay (26-19) | 1,373,000 | 2nd | 11th |
| 16/03-4 | Wednesday 18 May 2011 | Offsite Challenge 2 - The male and female contestants faced off against each other as they took over the running of the Mean Fiddler pub for a regular evening service. They each were tasked to prepare a menu of seven items fitting certain criteria, for example one burger, one special, one dessert, etc. The judges tasted the dishes and scored each team, also taking into account customer reaction. While both teams had big problems, especially with their steak orders, it was the male Red team's 16 returned meals that sent them straight to elimination. | 1,401,000 | 2nd | 10th |
| 17/03-5 | Thursday 19 May 2011 | Elimination Challenge 2 - After losing the battle of the sexes, the entire Red team faced a three-round Elimination Challenge. They had the freedom to cook whatever they wanted, but only a short amount of time in which to prepare their dish (ten or fifteen minutes). Contestants were declared safe at the end of each round and by the final round only Andrew and Seamus remained. Seamus was deemed to have delivered the weaker dish and was eliminated. | 1,507,000 | 1st | 6th |
| 18/03-6 | Friday 20 May 2011 | MasterClass 3 | 988,000 | 5th | 29th |
| Week 4 | |||||
| 19/04-1 | Sunday 22 May 2011 | Sunday Challenge 2 - Contestants competed in teams of three in a mix of Invention Test and Mystery Box. Each team randomly chose a protein (such as pork or scallops) and a cooking method (such as roasting or braising) and were tasked with creating a dish around that element. Some teams struggled with their unusual combinations, such as cooking snapper en croute (in pastry), but Sun, Peter and Craig triumphed with their pork en papillote (in paper). Chelsea, Rachel and Ellie's smoked octopus was judged the least impressive, sending the three girls into elimination. | 1,469,000 | 2nd | 6th |
| 20/04-2 | Monday 23 May 2011 | Pressure Test 2 - Chelsea, Rachel and Ellie had to recreate an Australian-ised pork with fried rice, without the aid of a recipe. Relying on their food knowledge proved a challenge for the three girls, as the wrong cuts of meat were chosen, sauces were unbalanced, and meat was overcooked. The judges decision proved difficult as Chelsea was found to have the best rice, Ellie the best meat, and Rachel the best sauce. Ultimately, Chelsea's lack of sauce, tough meat and over-reliance on outside help saw her eliminated from the competition. | 1,514,000 | 1st | 4th |
| 21/04-3 | Tuesday 24 May 2011 | Immunity Challenge 3 - Adam D'Sylva beat Craig, Peter and Sun (27-21) | 1,295,000 | 5th | 12th |
| 22/04-4 | Wednesday 25 May 2011 | Offsite Challenge 3 - Teams were tasked with catering for a busy Sunday morning at Cronulla Beach for hungry nippers and their families, providing a sausages sizzle and gelato. Two from each team had spent the night making three flavours of gelato each, while the rest of the team prepared their hand-made sausages. Hayden, being a lifeguard, attempted to boost sales by charming the crowds toward the Blue Team, sparking strong rivalry between the teams. By providing a 'breakfast sausage,' The Red Team managed to start selling over an hour before the Blue Team, and as it came down to how much money the teams made, Blue's slow start cost them in the end, sending them into elimination. | 1,236,000 | 6th | 17th |
| 23/04-5 | Thursday 26 May 2011 | Elimination Challenge 3 - The Blue Team were faced with a pastry skills based challenge; they needed to prepare a sponge, a custard, a toffee and finally a ganache. They were not allowed to move on to the custard until they had finished the preparation of their sponge, and so on through the stages, before combining all four elements into their own dessert creation. Sun, Peter and Kumar had serious problems with each of their elements, but it was Cleo's mistake of starting her ganache before completely finishing her toffee that forced the judges to eliminate her. | 1,464,000 | 1st | 8th |
| 24/04-6 | Friday 27 May 2011 | MasterClass 4 | 921,000 | 6th | 32nd |
| Week 5 (Western Australia Week) | |||||
| 25/05-1 | Sunday 29 May 2011 | Sunday Challenge 3 - Contestants were whisked away to Western Australia Western Australia Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east... and the Sunrise Dam Gold Mine Sunrise Dam Gold Mine The Sunrise Dam Gold Mine is located 55 km south of Laverton, Western Australia. It is fully owned by AngloGold Ashanti. In 2007, it accounted for 11% of the company's production.The mine is currently the company's only Australian operation... for a team challenge like no other: catering for 450 hungry workers over a 24 hours and three courses. Early on, Jay and Dani's leadership of the Blue Team proved a little shaky, as poor rostering lead to short staffing, and a lack of preparation meant they were still planning their breakfast menu just before service started. Each team had its share of mishaps during the challenge, and although the Blue Team served up uncooked fish and deep-fried bacon, they managed to win the challenge by a small margin (685 votes to Red's 665), leaving the Red Team with a second shift in the Mine's kitchen. |
1,511,000 | 4th | 8th |
| 26/05-2 | Monday 30 May 2011 | W.A. Invention Test - As winners of the Team Challenge, the Blue Team competed against each other at Margaret River Margaret River, Western Australia Margaret River is a town in the South West of Western Australia, located in the valley of the eponymous Margaret River, south of Perth, the state capital. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River.... 's Clairault Winery for a double chance at immunity: to cook off in the Immunity Challenge and be exempt from the next elimination challenge in the MasterChef kitchen. The ten contestants faced an Invention Test, each cooking a different meat picked at random and using a range of organic ingredients from chef Jake Drachenberg's kitchen garden. In the end, Michael and Jay impressed the judges the most, and it was Jay's skillful technique when cooking the Western Australian crustacean marron that sent him into the Immunity Challenge. |
1,577,000 | 1st | 5th |
| 27/05-3 | Tuesday 31 May 2011 | Immunity Challenge 4 - Tony Howell beat Jay (23-22) | 1,502,000 | 2nd | 9th |
| 28/05-4 | Wednesday 1 June 2011 | "Tinned and Frozen Challenge" - Contestants (all except Jay who had immunity) were given 90 minutes, full run of the pantry and the freedom to cook what they wanted, but with one twist: the only ingredients available to them were tinned and frozen produce. This confused a number of contestants who struggled to produce smart, tasty dishes within the limits of the challenge. Many also rose to the challenge, producing a Top 5 and giving winners Billy and Shannon a special reward and private MasterClass. However, Andrew and Kumar's dishes did not impress and landed them in an Elimination Challenge. | 1,602,000 | 1st | 4th |
| 29/05-5 | Thursday 2 June 2011 | Elimination Challenge 4 - Andrew and Kumar faced a "Fix that Dish" Challenge; they had eight steps each to fix a Massaman curry. Both contestants choice of ingredients surprised and confused both judges and other contestants, as neither Andrew or Kumar picked peanuts or potatoes, two key ingredients in the traditional dish. In the end, the judges faced a tough decision as neither dish was considered close enough to an actual Massaman curry. However, Kumar's tenderer meat and decision to add cashews gave his dish a slight edge over Andrew's, sending Andrew home. | 1,532,000 | 1st | 7th |
| 30/05-6 | Friday 3 June 2011 | MasterClass 5 | 860,000 | 7th | 40th |
| Week 6 | |||||
| 31/06-1 | Sunday 5 June 2011 | Sunday Challenge 4 - In a "Super Invention Test" with a Spanish theme, contestants were given the choice of three pairs of core ingredients: lamb and anchovies, orange and sherry, or squid and chorizo. The "super" twist of the challenge came when, after each contestant had picked their 15 additional ingredients, the judges redistributed each contestants set of ingredients, forcing them to show their flexibility in the kitchen. Danielle beat out Arena, Shannon and Michael for top spot, while some disastrous efforts dropped Jay, Dani and Ellie into the Bottom 3. | 1,445,000 | 5th | 9th |
| 32/06-2 | Monday 6 June 2011 | Pressure Test 3 - Jay, Dani and Ellie faced a Pressure Test set by Dan Hong, head chef at Ms G restaurant: pandan chiffon cake with black sesame icecream and coconut tapioca. All three contestants struggled with technical elements of the dish, but it was especially Jay whos instinctive style of cooking did not gel with the precise nature of the dish. While Dani had tapioca "like chalk," and Ellie had elements that were below standard, it was Jay's uneven dish with sugary praline that led to a tearful elimination. | 1,637,000 | 1st | 3rd |
| 33/06-3 | Tuesday 7 June 2011 | Immunity Challenge 5 - Thorsten Schmidt beat Danielle (26-21) | 1,439,000 | 3rd | 10th |
| 34/06-4 | Wednesday 8 June 2011 | Offsite Challenge 4 - In the first ever Tag-team Challenge, teams were asked to prepare six dishes with only one team member cooking at any one time. Additionally, only the first to cook would be allowed to view the recipe, with a one minute change-over period to relay information about the dishes. Communication breakdowns brought both teams problems and left some group members relying only on instinct. Surprise guest judge Nigella Lawson (whose recipes contestants were making) praised both teams efforts; especially the Red Team's game pie and velvet cupcakes and the Blue Team's roast lamb and devil's food cake. In the end though it was the Blue Team's better overall performance which gave them the three judges votes, sending the Red Team to elimination. | 1,633,000 | 1st | 4th |
| 35/06-5 | Thursday 9 June 2011 | Elimination Challenge 5 - Shannon and Arena put themselves forward as the two weakest performers from the Red Team and faced off in a Pressure Test. They were given a core ingredient (one whole chicken) and complete freedom of choice to prepare as many dishes as they would like in 75 minutes. Each contestant struggled with the pressure of the challenge, both running out of time and presenting incomplete dishes. The judges praised Shannon's steamed chicken breast and Arena's chicken soup, but ultimately the overall quality of Arena's dishes did not match Shannon's and she was eliminated. | 1,564,000 | 1st | 5th |
| 36/06-6 | Friday 10 June 2011 | MasterClass 6 | 858,000 | 7th | 41st |
| Week 7 | |||||
| 37/07-1 | Sunday 12 June 2011 | QANTAS Fine Dining Challenge - Contestants were paired up and asked to prepare one of eight courses of Neil Perry's QANTAS First Class menu. They were given 60 minutes of mise en place Mise en place Mise en place is a French phrase defined by the Culinary Institute of America as "everything in place", as in set up. It is used in professional kitchens to refer to organizing and arranging the ingredients that a cook will require for the menu items that he or she expects... , followed by 20 minutes to cook, plate and serve one course at a time to 27 special guests, including world class chefs Thomas Keller and Andoni Adruiz. The extreme pressure of the challenge led to some problems especially in the plating stage, with most teams struggling with presentation. Ultimately, it was Kate and Danielle's poached snapper that the judges deemed most impressive, rewarding them with the chance to cook alongside Thomas and Andoni at a dinner for the Starlight Children's Foundation, and Kate a shot at immunity. However, it was Rachel and Craig whose tart lacked flavour and Michael and Shannon whose pudding was too dense who were deemed least impressive, landing them in the Bottom 4. |
1,349,000 | 4th | 13th |
| 38/07-2 | Monday 13 June 2011 | Pressure Test 4 - Craig, Michael, Shannon and Rachel faced a Heston Blumenthal Heston Blumenthal Heston Marc Blumenthal OBE is an English chef and owner of The Fat Duck, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Bray, Berkshire voted Best Restaurant in the UK by The Good Food Guide 2007 and 2009, and voted best restaurant in the world by Restaurant magazine in 2005... creation: a seemingly simple burger with chips and milkshake. But true to his molecular gastronomy Molecular gastronomy Molecular gastronomy is a subdiscipline of food science that seeks to investigate, explain and make practical use of the physical and chemical transformations of ingredients that occur while cooking, as well as the social, artistic and technical components of culinary and gastronomic phenomena in... style the dish was a complex combination of cooking styles, including a milkshake inspired by a personal memory. Michael's dish overall impressed, especially with his lime shake reminiscent of his now-deceased father, and Craig also impressed with his extremely thick chocolate milkshake. But despite having "the best bun of the lot" according to Heston, Rachel's overcooked meat and rushed milkshake lead to her elimination. |
1,909,000 | 1st | 2nd |
| 39/07-3 | Tuesday 14 June 2011 | Immunity Challenge 6 - Darren Purchese beat Kate (26-24) | 1,559,000 | 2nd | 6th |
| 40/07-4 | Wednesday 15 June 2011 | Offsite Challenge 5 - In this "sustainable food challenge," contestants prepared a lunch service at the Greenhouse restaurant under the guidance of chef Matt Stone, with an emphasis on minimising waste. Their guests (including famous chefs and sustainable food experts) would vote for their favourite team, with the two best performers from the winning team experiencing a shift in Gary Mehigan's restaurant Fenix. Blue Team members questioned Sun's leadership as a lack of organisation slowed service down considerably. In the end, the Blue Team were commended for their sustainable menu and some excellent dishes, including Alana's dessert and Hayden's prawns. And while the Red Team worked well in the kitchen, their wastage was significant and they suffered from a poor dessert. The Blue Team won in a landslide (45-21), even without the bonus 10 votes they received for their minimal waste, with Alana and Hayden receiving the reward. The entire Red Team fell into an Elimination Challenge. | 1,607,000 | 2nd | 5th |
| 41/07-5 | Thursday 16 June 2011 | Elimination Challenge 6 - The losing team faced a three-round elimination challenge, where they had 15 minutes and limited ingredients to produce their dish. Billy, Danielle and Ellie created the best dishes of the first round using only 3 ingredients, with Dani and Michael escaping elimination in the second round with dishes made from only 6 ingredients. In the final round, Craig and Shannon both impressed with their two very different dishes; the judges naming them two of the competitions best. The quality of Shannon's was judged as slightly below Craig's sealing her elimination from the competition. | 1,615,000 | 1st | 4th |
| 42/07-6 | Friday 17 June 2011 | MasterClass 7 | 928,000 | 5th | 32nd |
| Week 8 | |||||
| 43/08-1 | Sunday 19 June 2011 | Sunday Challenge 6 - In this Korean-inspired "Invention Box" challenge set by Korean-American top chef David Chang David Chang David Chang is a noted Korean-American chef. He is chef/owner of the Momofuku restaurant group, which includes Momofuku Noodle Bar, Momofuku Ssäm Bar, Má Pêche, Milk Bar and Momofuku Ko in New York City, the latter for which he was awarded two Michelin stars in 2009, and Momofuku Seiōbo in... , contestants were faced with a range of exotic Korean ingredients and a randomly selected protein. Many contestants floundered with such unknown ingredients, but Dani, Hayden and Peter impressed with their inventiveness, creativity and tasty Korean flavours. In the end, Hayden was crowned the winner of the challenge, earning him a spot in the Immunity Challenge, and immunity from the Team Challenge. Danielle, Michael, Adam and Ellie (who did not compete due to sickness and received an automatic bottom spot) were left as the Bottom 4. |
1,615,000 | 2nd | 6th |
| 44/08-2 | Monday 20 June 2011 | Pressure Test 5 - Danielle, Michael, Adam and Ellie faced a Pressure Test set by George's mother Mary Calombaris: cooking 4 traditional Greek-Cypriotic dishes. Contestants struggled to plate up each dish in the 90 minutes provided, with some receiving a helping hand from Mary herself. Ellie and Michael dishes were the two best received, while Adam and Danielle's were plagued with errors including raw pastry and overly salty, garlicky and oily elements. Despite performing the worst, Danielle was saved from elimination when Adam, realising that he did not have the same passion for the food industry as his competitors, withdrew from the competition. | 1,681,000 | 1st | 4th |
| 45/08-3 | Tuesday 21 June 2011 | Immunity Challenge 7 - Vincent Gadan beat Hayden (21-19) | 1,597,000 | 2nd | 7th |
| 46/08-4 | Wednesday 22 June 2011 | Offsite Challenge 6 - Teams (excluding Hayden, who had immunity) were taken to Westfield Sydney, where they were asked to prepare some simple dishes (such as burger and fries, pizza, cake and pastry) with one twist: each dish had specific dietary restrictions (such as lactose free, low salt or vegan). Contestants from each team were paired off and given 60 minutes to prepare their dish, with the best dish receiving a vote from the judges. Many contestants failed to fit the brief of the challenge and lost votes accordingly, and despite two disastrous dishes it was the Blue Team's overall performance that won them the challenge, sending the entire Red Team to elimination. | 1,773,000 | 1st | 1st |
| 47/08-5 | Thursday 23 June 2011 | Elimination Challenge 7 - The Red Team faced an "In-the-round" challenge with two stages: three contestants at a time would prepare a savoury dish in 15 minutes with the least impressive from each group going into the final elimination round cooking a sweet dish in 30 minutes. Craig's overcooked quail breast and Alana's raw lamb led them to the final round, where it was Craig's undercooked apple fritters that led to his elimination. | 1,511,000 | 1st | 10th |
| 48/08-6 | Friday 24 June 2011 | MasterClass 8 | 978,000 | 5th | 27th |
| Week 9 | |||||
| 49/09-1 | Sunday 26 June 2011 | Sunday Challenge 7 - The Top 12 contestants were tasked with preparing lunch for 200 hungry farmers and their families when they travelled into the NSW country to Matt Moran's dad's lamb farm. They had four hours to prepare any dish they wanted under the restrictions of an outdoor fire and with lamb as their only protein, their guests voting for their favourite dish. Michael's decision to ignore the lamb and cook two sweet dishes confused the judges but led him to second place, behind winner Billy, whose hearty and spicy Lamb Curry and sweet Rocky Road were perfect for the cold and wet weather and proved popular with adults and children alike. Danielle, Ellie and Peter's uneven and unattractive dishes landed them in the Bottom 3, to face elimination. | 1,604,000 | 3rd | 7th |
| 50/09-2 | Monday 27 June 2011 | Pressure Test 6 - Ellie, Danielle and Peter were set a tough test by chef Matthew Kemp: to re-invent the classic French dish Duck à l'orange Duck à l'orange Canard à l'Orange is a classic French dish in which the duck is roasted and served with an orange sauce.Duck à l'Orange is an English interpretation of the French dish, made popular in the 1960s .... , with no aid of a recipe. Despite initially struggling for ideas and burning her hand, Ellie's dish universally impressed the judges. And while Peter was criticised for not being inventive enough, it was Danielle's cold pasta dish missing the orange flavours that led to her elimination. |
1,578,000 | 1st | 6th |
| 51/09-3 | Tuesday 28 June 2011 | Immunity Challenge 8 - Merle Parrish (Country Women's Association Country Women's Association The Country Women’s Association of Australia is the largest women's organisation in Australia. It has 44,000 members across 1855 branches. Its aims are to improve the conditions for country women and children and to try to make life better for women and their families, especially those women... ) beat Billy (24-21) |
1,688,000 | 1st | 3rd |
| 52/09-4 | Wednesday 29 June 2011 | Offsite Challenge 7 - Teams were faced with their first catering jobs: The Blue Team, a corporate 3-course lunch for 12, and the Red Team, a 21st birthday for 50 guests. The Blue Team, led by Peter, worked well in the kitchen and were commended for the quality of their dishes, while the Red Team, led by Ellie, had "kitchen chaos" as forgotten ingredients delayed preparations, and were criticised for their decision to prepare a rabbit terrine dish which did not involve any cooking. Ultimately Blue failed to deliver on the client's brief: a light lunch delivered within a strict time limit, while Red impressed with their menu and the interactive element to their birthday cake, filling the client's brief. The Red Team members secured their places in the Top 10; despite being out-cooked by the Blue Team they delivered what the client wanted, leading the Blue Team to elimination. | 1,693,000 | 1st | 1st |
| 53/09-5 | Thursday 30 June 2011 | Elimination Challenge 8 - The Blue Team (minus Hayden, who chose to use his immunity pin) were faced with two challenges, a Taste Test and an Invention Test. Michael, Peter, Billy and Kumar were given three minutes to each taste and name as many of the ingredients of a terrine, blind-folded. Those they guessed correctly would be the only ingredients they would have to cook with in the 40-minute Invention Test. It came down to Michael (who had 11 ingredients, the most) and Kumar (with four ingredients, the least) and it was the latter's lack of available ingredients that sealed his fate. | 1,532,000 | 1st | 9th |
| 54/09-6 | Friday 1 July 2011 | MasterClass 9 | 837,000 | 8th | 36th |
| Week 10 | |||||
| 55/10-1 | Sunday 3 July 2011 | Sunday Challenge 8 - In the first Sunday Challenge in the Top 10, the contestants were faced with a Mystery Box and an Invention Test. The winner of the steamed pudding-themed Mystery Box challenge was Kate with a white chocolate and raspberry pudding with Kahlua ice cream, who then picked figs as the core ingredient for the Middle Eastern-themed Invention Test. Peter, Michael and Dani were selected as the top three and in the end it was Dani who prevailed with her idea of a 'frozen baklava Baklava Baklava is a rich, sweet pastry made of layers of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey. It is characteristic of the cuisines of the former Ottoman Empire and much of central and southwest Asia.... ' (fig and pistachio ice cream between sheets of filo pastry), especially impressing guest chef Shane Delia. As winner of this challenge, besides the chance to win immunity, Dani received an "unparalleled" advantage going into the next week. Hayden, Billy and Mat were named the bottom three and were sent into an Elimination Challenge. |
1,560,000 | 3rd | 8th |
| 56/10-2 | Monday 4 July 2011 | Pressure Test 7 - Mat, Billy and Hayden faced off in a Pressure Test, in which they had to recreate a Salt-crusted Guinea Fowl with a Mushroom Duxelle and a Thyme Jus, with two complementary side dishes of their own choosing. Mat showed most competency overall despite a burnt hand, only slightly overcooking the guinea fowl. Despite his perfectly cooked guinea fowl and excellent gratin dauphinois side dish, it was Billy's raw beetroot salad and "rubbish" jus that saw him eliminated from the competition. | 1,590,000 | 1st | 5th |
| 57/10-3 | Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Immunity Challenge 9 - Dani beat Alessandro Pavoni (22-22) | 1,500,000 | 1st | 11th |
| 58/10-4 | Wednesday 6 July 2011 | Offsite Challenge 8 - After Mat's removal from the competition for having an unauthorised mobile phone, Billy returned to the house. Teams were tasked with providing a three-course lunch service at the Merivale Felix restaurant in Sydney, under the scrutiny of iconic British chef Marco Pierre White Marco Pierre White Marco Pierre White is a British celebrity chef, restaurateur and television personality. He is noted for his contributions to contemporary international cuisine, and his exceptional culinary skills.... . The Blue Team (which Dani was able to hand-pick due to her Sunday Challenge win) chose to prepare a French menu for 30 French expats Expatriate An expatriate is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person's upbringing... , leaving the Red Team (with Alana as captain) with a British menu for British expats. Both teams struggled with the pressures of a professional kitchen, but it was the Blue Team that proved the most disorganised, especially during preparation time and the start of service. Despite surpassing the Red Team by dessert and receiving high praise from the judges for the quality of their dishes, their overall performance saw them going into elimination. |
1,726,000 | 2nd | 2nd |
| 59/10-5 | Thursday 7 July 2011 | Elimination Challenge 9 - After Dani chose to use her immunity pin, Michael, Hayden, Kate and Peter faced a three-round elimination challenge, with the best performer in each round declared safe. In the first round, they were given 15 minutes to prepare Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls with a dipping sauce, testing their knife skills and ability to balance flavours. Michael's technical precision led him to be the first deemed safe from elimination. In the second round, they had to trim, french, truss and cook a rib-eye steak to medium rare in 25 minutes. Hayden's decision to wrap his frenched bone in foil gave him the slightest edge over Peter, sealing his place in the top 8. In the final round, Peter and Kate had 60 minutes to make an apple pie with custard. Despite wholly positive reactions to both pies, it was Peter's slightly undercooked pastry that sent him home. | 1,638,000 | 1st | 3rd |
| 60/10-6 | Friday 8 July 2011 | MasterClass 10 | 963,000 | 6th | 33rd |
| Week 11 (New York Week) | |||||
| 61/11-1 | Sunday 10 July 2011 | Sunday Challenge 9 - In their first challenge in New York New York City New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and... , contestants were each sent to a different part of the city (such as Chinatown Chinatown, Manhattan Manhattan's Chinatown , home to one of the highest concentrations of Chinese people in the Western hemisphere, is located in the borough of Manhattan in New York City... , The Bronx The Bronx The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated... and Brooklyn Brooklyn Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated... ) to get inspiration for a restaurant-quality dish. The best dish would earn its maker an advantage at the next challenge with the worst performer going straight into lockdown to face elimination later in the week. The top three were Michael, Billy and Alana, with Michael's evocation of 'street food' with a Mexican taco landing him the win. Dani and Sun were the least impressive, and it was Sun's flawed honey cake invention that sent her into lockdown facing elimination. |
1,615,000 | 1st | 4th |
| 62/11-2 | Monday 11 July 2011 | United Nations Challenge - In the General Assembly Hall United Nations General Assembly For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation... of the United Nations United Nations The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace... , the contestants were tasked with preparing canapés for a V.I.P. event hosted by the Australian mission to the U.N. Australia and the United Nations Australia was a founding member of the United Nations in 1945 and has been actively engaged in the organisation since its formation... The winning dish would be determined by guests' votes (representatives of all 192 member states), earning its maker a chance at immunity, while the worst performer would face lockdown and a spot in the elimination challenge. As winner of the Sunday Challenge, Michael had access to each recipe and picked each contestant's dish, his decisions not making him popular. Hayden and Ellie's dishes received the most votes and it was Ellie's duck canapé that earned her the win. Dani and Billy's dishes were the least popular, with Billy's bland vichyssoise Vichyssoise Vichyssoise is a thick soup made of puréed leeks, onions, potatoes, cream, and chicken stock. It is traditionally served cold, but can also be eaten hot.-Origin:... receiving the least votes and leaving him facing elimination. |
1,758,000 | 1st | 2nd |
| 63/11-3 | Tuesday 12 July 2011 | Immunity Challenge 10 - Ellie beat Cesare Casella Cesare Casella Cesare Casella is a Italian chef, restaurateur, writer, consultant and educator. He is the owner and executive chef of Salumeria Rosi a salami shop and restaurant located in New York City's Upper West Side.... (24-22) |
1,612,000 | 2nd | 5th |
| 64/11-4 | Wednesday 13 July 2011 | Ultimate Dinner Party Challenge - Teams had 3.5 hours to race from Times Square Times Square Times Square is a major commercial intersection in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets... to the Four Seasons Restaurant The Four Seasons Restaurant The Four Seasons is a restaurant in New York City located at 99 East 52nd Street , in the Seagram Building.Opened in 1959, the Four Seasons is associated with a number of milestone firsts in the hospitality industry. The Four Seasons is credited with introducing the idea of seasonally-changing... to each cook one course for "the ultimate dinner party". After choosing their dish, they collected the recipe and ingredients for the dishes from a famous restaurant in New York City. Alana and Ellie, despite struggling with navigation and arriving in the kitchen last, delivered the dish of the day. Hayden and Dani could not hold onto their advantage in arriving first and were sent them into the elimination challenge. |
1,620,000 | 1st | 3rd |
| 65/11-5 | Thursday 14 July 2011 | Elimination Challenge 10 - Sun, Dani, Hayden and Billy were tasked with cooking traditional soul food Soul food Soul food cuisine consists of a selection of foods traditional in the cuisine of African Americans. It is closely related to the cuisine of the Southern United States... under the scrutiny of three generations of the Woods family, of the world famous Sylvia's Restaurant of Harlem Sylvia's Restaurant of Harlem Sylvia's Restaurant of Harlem is a soul food restaurant in New York City. It was founded in 1962 by Sylvia Woods. It has since expanded to a much larger space at 328 Lenox Avenue , and an adjacent building... . Each contestant had to prepare the restaurant's signature dishes of BBQ Ribs, Fried Chicken and Macaroni 'n' Cheese, plus a different side dish. Billy was the best performer of the day, receiving positive comments for all three dishes and his sides of Black-eyed Pea Black-eyed pea The black-eyed pea, also called black-eyed bean and chawalie or lobia in various languages in India and Pakistan, is a subspecies of the cowpea, grown around the world for its medium-sized, edible bean. The bean mutates easily, giving rise to a number of varieties. The common commercial one is... s and Collard Greens Collard greens Collard greens are various loose-leafed cultivars of Brassica oleracea , the same species as cabbage and broccoli. The plant is grown for its large, dark-colored, edible leaves and as a garden ornamental, mainly in Brazil, Portugal, the southern United States, many parts of Africa, Montenegro,... . Sun was plagued by raw chicken and a bland side of Potato Salad, sealing her elimination. |
1,609,000 | 1st | 6th |
| 66/11-6 | Friday 15 July 2011 | MasterClass 11 | 964,000 | 7th | 30th |
| Week 12 | |||||
| 67/12-1 | Sunday 17 July 2011 | Sunday Challenge 10 - Contestants each prepared one vegetarian course for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama 14th Dalai Lama The 14th Dalai Lama is the 14th and current Dalai Lama. Dalai Lamas are the most influential figures in the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, although the 14th has consolidated control over the other lineages in recent years... and his guests, four charity leaders. Under the guidance of guest chef and Buddhist Kylie Kwong Kylie Kwong Kylie Kwong , is a prominent Australian television chef, author, television presenter and restaurateur.-Early life and education:... , they had a strict three hour deadline. Dani beat out Michael for the win, with a well received Sri Lankan Vegetarian Curry. Ellie, Billy and Kate's dishes "lacked punch," sending them into a Pressure Test to face elimination. |
1,725,000 | 1st | 2nd |
| 68/12-2 | Monday 18 July 2011 | Pressure Test 8 - After Ellie decided to use her immunity pin, Billy and Kate had two hours to recreate Katrina Kanetani's 'Autumn' dessert plate. Both contestants, though strong in desserts, struggled with multiple elements of the dish. In the end, Kate was praised for her strong flavours, while Billy's dish showed technical precision and flair; both dishes had some technical errors. The judges ultimately decided that Kate's dish was more refined, eliminating Billy for the second and last time. | 1,650,000 | 1st | 3rd |
| 69/12-3 | Tuesday 19 July 2011 | Immunity Challenge 11 - Dani beat Eamon Sullivan Eamon Sullivan Eamon Wade Sullivan is an Australian sprint swimmer.-Career :In April 2002 at the Australian Age Championships, Sullivan won the 50 m freestyle and came second in 100 m in his age group, and swam for Australia at Trans Tasman series with no dramatic result.In April 2003 at Brisbane in the Fisher &... (25-24) |
1,468,000 | 3rd | 9th |
| 70/12-4 | Wednesday 20 July 2011 | QANTAS First Lounge Challenge - In the first part of the challenge, team captains Hayden and Alana faced a mini Mystery Box, with the winner receiving an advantage for their team in the second part of the challenge. Alana won for the Red Team, gaining them the advantage as teams took over the QANTAS First Lounge kitchen at Sydney Airport. They took the first 90 minute shift, taking over the service from professional chefs with all prep work done and a clean kitchen, followed by the Blue Team. Overall, Red performed well, delivering two outstanding dishes but struggling with time management and a "disastrous" Club Sandwich (the lounge's signature dish). Despite all of Blue's dishes being on time and producing an excellent Club Sandwich, it was their fish, both raw and burnt, that lost them the challenge. | 1,533,000 | 1st | 8th |
| 71/12-5 | Thursday 21 July 2011 | Elimination Challenge 11 - Hayden, Kate and Michael had 90 minutes and an open pantry to cook a dish that demonstrated skills acquired throughout the competition. Each contestant impressed the judges with their dish, with only minor flaws. Kate's Stuffed Squab with Parsnip Purée and Jus Gras, was perfectly cooked but criticised for a slightly fibrous purée. Michael wowed the judges with his Sous-vide Sous-vide Sous-vide is a method of cooking food sealed in airtight plastic bags in a water bath for a long time—72 hours is not unusual—at an accurately determined temperature much lower than normally used for cooking, typically around... Chicken with Crispy Chicken Skin, Pea Purée and Jus Gras, only slightly overcooking the end of the breast. Hayden's Sesame-encrusted Coral Trout with Tapioca Pearls and Garlic Wasabi Cream was praised for its complex flavour combinations, but a garnish of pickled daikon Daikon Daikon , Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus, also called White Radish, Japanese radish, Oriental radish, Chinese radish, lo bok and Mooli , is a mild flavoured, very large, white East Asian radish... was so salty that Gary deemed it "almost inedible". This small mistake was enough to seal Hayden's elimination for the competition. |
1,605,000 | 1st | 4th |
| 72/12-6 | Friday 22 July 2011 | MasterClass 12 | 770,000 | 11th | 52nd |
| Week 13 (Semi-Finals Week) | |||||
| 73/13-1 | Sunday 24 July 2011 | Sunday Challenge 11 - In a Mystery Box Challenge without elimination, the top 5 picked each other's ingredients as per the Secret Santa Secret Santa Secret Santa is a Western Christmas tradition, in which members of a group or community are randomly assigned a person to whom they anonymously give a gift. Often practiced in workplaces, or amongst large families, participation in it is usually voluntary... method. The winner would earn the final chance to cook for immunity and a spread on their winning recipe in Taste magazine. Michael and Alana were the top two, but Michael's Panna Cotta with Roasted Rhubarb and Orange & Honey Syrup triumphed in the end, and the recipe was subsequently published in Taste. |
1,734,000 | 2nd | 3rd |
| 74/13-2 | Monday 25 July 2011 | Family Dinner Challenge - In a second challenge without elimination, contestants cooked ten servings of a single dish of their choosing for the judges, who were joined by all the contestants' families. Alana's Pancake Stack met with ravings from the judges: she was rewarded a night at home with her family in Brisbane Brisbane Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of... , accompanied by a four-course dinner cooked by Gary and George along with two sous-chefs from their restaurants, and the floor run by Matt Preston as maître d'. |
1,674,000 | 1st | 4th |
| 75/13-3 | Tuesday 26 July 2011 | Immunity Challenge 12 - Teage Ezard beat Michael (26-25) | 1,356,000 | 3rd | 12th |
| 76/13-4 | Wednesday 27 July 2011 | Worst Nightmare Challenge - The top 5 were surprised by George in the early morning as he showed up at the house with three guest chefs, who each brought one unusual core ingredient of their own choosing. The contestants were given two hours of mise en place Mise en place Mise en place is a French phrase defined by the Culinary Institute of America as "everything in place", as in set up. It is used in professional kitchens to refer to organizing and arranging the ingredients that a cook will require for the menu items that he or she expects... and then 10 minutes to plate up during service. Although her Caramelised Pumpkin Cake was a little dense for some judges, it was enough to land Kate the win and a one-on-one MasterClass with Matt Moran Matt Moran Matthew Moran,commonly known as Matt Moran, is an Australian chef also known for being a guest on various TV cooking shows.- Early childhood and education :... . Michael's Sea Urchin Sea urchin Sea urchins or urchins are small, spiny, globular animals which, with their close kin, such as sand dollars, constitute the class Echinoidea of the echinoderm phylum. They inhabit all oceans. Their shell, or "test", is round and spiny, typically from across. Common colors include black and dull... with Angel Hair Pasta suffered from claggy pasta, but his respect for the core ingredient was enough to land him the second spot in Finals Week. Dani and Ellie were the bottom two: Dani's Liquorice Ice Cream lacked in presentation and concept and Ellie's Lobster Salad with Salsify Salsify Tragopogon, also known as salsify or goatsbeard, is a genus of flowering plants in the sunflower family Asteraceae that has over 140 species, including the vegetable known as salsify, as well as a number of common wild flowers, some of which are usually regarded as weeds.Salsifies are forbs growing... Purée had the core ingredient of salsify playing second fiddle. Alana landed in the middle, but she was informed that she would be up for elimination if Dani decided to use her immunity pin. |
1,675,000 | 1st | 5th |
| 77/13-5 | Thursday 28 July 2011 | Elimination Challenge 12 - Dani chose to use her immunity pin, sending Alana into the Elimination Challenge against Ellie. They faced a "Fix Your Biggest Stuff-up" Challenge in which they had to re-invent a bad dish they cooked earlier in the competition. For Ellie it was a dish from episode 31 and for Alana it was both her dishes from episode 47. Ellie got 75 minutes like in the original challenge, Alana only got 45. Ellie left the capsicums out of her dish and turned it into a dessert, while Alana decided only to improve the weak points of the original dishes, being raw lamb and crunchy, undercooked pear. Ultimately, Alana's decision to leave the fat on her lamb cutlets did not go well with the judges, but her Poached Pear dessert was deemed faultless. Ellie's eggy Crème Caramel and the pith left on the orange wedges in her Citrus Salad were enough to lead to a teary elimination. | 1,528,000 | 1st | 8th |
| 78/13-6 | Friday 29 July 2011 | MasterClass 13 | 910,000 | 7th | 39th |
| Week 14 (Finals Week) | |||||
| 79/14-1 | Sunday 31 July 2011 | Sunday Challenge 12 - In the first challenge of Finals Week, again without elimination, contestants were to develop a recipe for a single dish, which was then styled and photographed as if designed for their personal cookbook. The recipes would then be tested by four home cooks who had to follow the recipe to the letter. They were paired up with a contestant in the studio and had to cook the dish along with them within 90 minutes, so their version of the dish could be judged by how much it tasted like the contestants' original recipes. All contestants ran into trouble with mistakes in their recipes or processes that proved too complicated for home cooks, except for winner Michael, who had written a recipe that was so easy to follow that Sue, the home cook assigned to him, even managed to cook a better version of his dish according to Matt Preston. | 1,731,000 | 1st | 4th |
| 80/14-2 | Monday 1 August 2011 | Pressure Test 9 - The top 4 were given 2 hours and 15 minutes to reproduce Maggie Beer Maggie Beer Maggie Beer is an Australian cook, food author, restaurateur and food manufacturer.-Earlier life:Born Margaret Ann Ackermann in Sydney in January 1945 to Ronald Ackermann and Doreen Carter.-Career:... 's Chook Terrine Terrine (food) A terrine is a French forcemeat loaf similar to a pâté, made with more coarsely chopped ingredients. Terrines are usually served cold or at room temperature.- See also :* Terrine , the cooking vessel* Pâté* Galantine* Mousseline... with various accompaniments. All contestants struggled with the high level of technicality in the dish and despite each of them showing competence in the condiments and general plating, it was four undercooked terrines that sealed everyone's fate, as every contestant was sent into an elimination challenge. |
1,581,000 | 1st | 8th |
| 81/14-3 | Tuesday 2 August 2011 | Elimination Challenge 13 - Contestants were given 3 hours to cook 3 dishes that reflected the story of their life. Kate and Alana were the two best overall performers, with stunning desserts and very little substantial criticism on any of their dishes. Both Michael and Dani were criticised on some points, each overall only getting good comments on one of their three dishes. Despite Michael's overly sweet and acidic caper Caper Capparis spinosa, the caper bush, is a perennial winter-deciduous species that bears rounded, fleshy leaves and large white to pinkish-white flowers. A caper is also the pickled bud of this plant... mayonnaise that tasted "like the beginning of a lemon curd" and a "hmm" duck dish, it was Dani's thick and underseasoned Sweetcorn Soup, poor Crab Wontons and grainy, icy Sesame Ice Cream that sent her packing. |
1,571,000 | 3rd | 9th |
| 82/14-4 | Wednesday 3 August 2011 | Three Hat Challenge - The top three were each sent to a different three hat establishment where they each designed a dish to fit on the menu of their assigned restaurant. They then had to cook the dish during lunch service, where Matt Preston Matt Preston Matt Preston is a British-Australian food journalist and restaurant critic. He is best known for his role as a judge on Network Ten's MasterChef Australia and his weekly food column in the Herald Sun 'Taste' supplement... joined by two of his fellow food critics would taste the dish and decide if it fitted in with the restaurant's menu, scrutinizing both flavour and presentation. Michael's main proved the most successful, guaranteeing him a spot in the grand finale. Although Kate came very close, her dessert fell just short of the mark, landing her in a Pressure Test elimination against Alana, whose dish was judged the least impressive overall. |
1,674,000 | 1st | 7th |
| 83/14-5 | Thursday 4 August 2011 | Pressure Test 10 - In a patented Adriano Zumbo Zumbo (TV series) Zumbo is an Australian observational documentary television series following patissier Adriano Zumbo at his Balmain kitchen business.The series premiered on 10 February 2011 and ran for 6 episodes... superchallenge, Kate and Alana were given 4.5 hours to reproduce his "Fairytale House" dessert (a miniature gingerbread house with several candy and fruit decorations), with the last spot in the Grand Finale at stake. The challenge proved notoriously difficult indeed, but both contestants managed to plate up in the end. Despite setting herself back roughly 1.5 hours after burning her first batch of gingerbread, it was Kate that emerged victorious. Alana's skill shown in the preparation of the candies and other garnishes were ultimately not enough to make up for her burnt and overcooked gingerbread, leading to a teary elimination. |
1,697,000 | 1st | 6th |
| 84/14-6 | Friday 5 August 2011 | MasterClass 14 | 1,169,000 | 2nd | 22nd |
| Grand Finale | |||||
| 85/15-1 | Sunday 7 August 2011 | Grand Finale - Kate and Michael faced off in the Grand Finale, which consisted of three challenges:
|
2,334,000 | 2nd | 2nd |
| 86/15-2 | Sunday 7 August 2011 | The Winner Announced - Kate is declared the winner, scoring a total of 87 points over Michael's 82. Kate wins $100,000 in cash, a culinary scholarship and a cookbook deal with Random House Random House Random House, Inc. is the largest general-interest trade book publisher in the world. It has been owned since 1998 by the German private media corporation Bertelsmann and has become the umbrella brand for Bertelsmann book publishing. Random House also has a movie production arm, Random House Films,... . Runner-up Michael is offered a culinary apprenticeship by judge Gary Mehigan Gary Mehigan Gary Mehigan is an English chef, restaurateur and a judge of the Network Ten series MasterChef Australia.Mehigan also co-hosts two shows on Australia's Lifestyle Food Channel, Good Chef, Bad Chef, and Boy's Weekend and will be appearing at the 2011 Good Food & Wine Show.Mehigan trained at The... at his restaurant, Fenix. |
2,740,000 | 1st | 1st |
Elimination chart
| Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Semi-Finals Week | Finals Week | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Challenge Winner |
None | Hayden | Jay | CraigPeterSun | Blue Team | Danielle | DanielleKate | Hayden | Billy | (Kate)Dani | Michael | Dani | Michael | Michael | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Immunity Challenge |
None | Win:Hayden | Lose:Jay | Lose:CraigPeterSun | Lose:Jay | Lose:Danielle | Lose:Kate | Lose:Hayden | Lose:Billy | Win:Dani | Win:Ellie | Win:Dani | Lose:Michael | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kate | Top 24 | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | Btm 3 | IN | IN | Win | IN | Lose | Btm 2 | WINNER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michael | Top 24 | IN | IN | IN | IN | Btm 4 | Btm 4 | Btm 2 | IN | Btm 4 | Btm 2 | IN | Lose | Finale | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alana | Top 24 | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | Btm 2 | IN | IN | IN | Win | IN | IN | Win | Btm 3 | IN | Lose | Btm 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dani | Top 24 | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | Btm 3 | IN | IN | Lose | IN | IN | IN | Lose | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ellie | Top 24 | IN | Btm 3 | Btm 3 | IN | IN | Btm 3 | IN | Btm 4 | Btm 3 | IN | IN | Win | Win | IN | IN | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hayden | Top 24 | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | Imm. | IN | Btm 3 | IN | Lose | IN | Btm 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Billy | Top 24 | Btm 3 | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | Lose | Btm 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sun | Top 24 | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | Lose | Eliminated (Ep 65) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Peter | Top 24 | IN | IN | Btm 3 | IN | IN | IN | IN | Btm 3 | Btm 2 | Eliminated (Ep 59) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mat | Top 24 | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | Btm 3 | Removed (Ep 58) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kumar | Top 24 | IN | Btm 2 | IN | IN | Btm 3 | IN | Btm 2 | IN | IN | IN | IN | Btm 2 | Eliminated (Ep 53) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Danielle | Top 24 | IN | IN | IN | IN | Btm 4 | Btm 3 | Eliminated (Ep 50) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Craig | Top 24 | IN | Top 3 | IN | IN | Btm 4 | Btm 2 | IN | Btm 2 | Eliminated (Ep 47) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adam | Top 24 | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | Btm 4 | Resigned (Ep 44) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shannon | Top 24 | IN | IN | IN | Btm 2 | Btm 4 | Btm 2 | Eliminated (Ep 41) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rachel | Top 24 | IN | IN | Btm 3 | IN | IN | IN | Btm 4 | Eliminated (Ep 38) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arena | Top 24 | IN | IN | IN | Btm 2 | Eliminated (Ep 35) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jay | Top 24 | IN | IN | Win | Imm. | Btm 3 | Eliminated (Ep 32) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Andrew | Top 24 | IN | IN | IN | Btm 2 | Eliminated (Ep 29) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cleo | Top 24 | IN | Top 3 | IN | Btm 3 | Eliminated (Ep 23) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chelsea | Top 24 | IN | IN | Btm 3 | Eliminated (Ep 20) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Seamus | Top 24 | IN | IN | Eliminated (Ep 17) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alex | Return | IN | Btm 3 | Eliminated (Ep 14) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tom | Top 24 | IN | Btm 2 | Eliminated (Ep 11) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Paul | W/draw | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notes | None | None | None | None | None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eliminated | None | None | Tom | Alex | Seamus | Chelsea | Cleo | None | None | Andrew | Jay | Arena | Rachel | Shannon | Adam | Craig | Danielle | Kumar | (Billy)Mat | Peter | None | None | Sun | Billy | Hayden | None | None | Ellie | None | Dani | Alana | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Michael 82 points to win |
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Kate 87 points to win |
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In Week 1, the judges selected the twenty-four finalists from the Top 50. In Week 2, prior to the first Top 24 challenge, it was revealed that Paul had withdrawn from the competition citing work commitments. His place was taken by Alex. Also, instead of the traditional Sunday Challenge, contestants were asked to cook the dish that "changed their life". There was no Bottom 3 for this challenge. In Weeks 3 and 7, the entire losing team went through to the Elimination Challenge, where they competed in three rounds, until two remained for the final round. In Week 4, the Sunday Challenge featured contestants working in groups of three. The entire winning team went into the Immunity Challenge. In Weeks 4, 9 and 12 the entire losing team went through to the Elimination Challenge, from which the bottom performers were selected. In Week 5 (Western Australia Week), the Sunday Challenge was a Team Challenge. The losing team did not face elimination. In Week 5, the winners of the Team Challenge competed for a spot in the Immunity Challenge. The winner also received immunity for the next Elimination Challenge. In Week 5, Wednesday's challenge was an individual cooking challenge. The Bottom 2 went into an Elimination Challenge, and the Top 2 received a special reward and MasterClass. In Week 7, the Sunday Challenge featured contestants working in pairs. The winning pair decided amongst themselves who would contest the Immunity Challenge, while the two worst performing teams went into an Elimination Challenge. In Week 8s Pressure Test, Adam was not the weakest competitor but chose to withdraw from the competition. In Week 8, the entire losing team went through to the Elimination Challenge, where they competed in two preliminary rounds. The weakest performer from each preliminary round was sent to the final cook-off. In Week 10, the Sunday Challenge featured a Mystery Box challenge and Invention Test. Kate won the Mystery Box challenge, while Dani won the Invention Test. Prior to the Offsite Challenge, Mat was removed from the competition for using a smartphone, his place taken by last eliminated contestant Billy. In Week 10, the entire losing team went through to the Elimination Challenge, where they competed in three rounds, until two remained for the final round. The Top 2 from the winning team then got a reward (flying business class to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
). In Week 11, the Sunday Challenge was the first in a week in New York. The loser of the challenge went into lockdown for an elimination challenge later in the week. In Week 11, instead of a Pressure Test contestants competed to win the chance to take part in the Celebrity Chef Challenge. Ellie won the challenge. The loser of the challenge went into lockdown for an elimination challenge later in the week. In Week 11, the New York team challenge featured three teams of two. In Semi-Finals Week and Finals Week, there was no bottom for the Sunday Challenge. In Semi-Finals Week, instead of a Pressure Test the Top 5 cooked a meal for their families. There was no bottom for this challenge. In Semi-Finals Week, despite not being in the Bottom 2, Alana was pulled into the Elimination Challenge when Dani used her Immunity pin. In Finals Week's Pressure Test, no contestant reproduced a dish of sufficient quality, placing them all in an Elimination Challenge.