What a season it has already been on MasterChef Australia 2021 so far. We’ve seen some of the best talent yet, captivating backstories and celebrity appearances from Nigella Lawson, Yotam Ottolenghi, Massimo Bottura, Claire Smyth and Heston Blumenthal.
Judges Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo have had the enviable task of testing every delicious dish the contestants have plated up, and the very unenviable task of telling the hopefuls when it’s time to go home. Honestly, though, we’re still pretty envious of their jobs.
Of course, every season there is the shining beacon of immunity that is dangled in front of the home cooks which, when won, enable them to escape elimination or sit out of challenges altogether.
Sabina was awarded the season’s most valuable immunity, receiving safety from a double elimination and a $10,000 grocery haul from Coles, while Linda’s immunity ensured her spot in finals week.
Justin became the first cook to gain a place in the top ten, having won immunity through his nostalgic dessert. He made Vanilla Coke Ice cream, potato chip crumb, Coke jelly with a Coke spider foam, tempered chocolate and vinegar chip disc and Mel said it just transported her right back to childhood.
Tommy was previously safe from being eliminated thanks to his truly inspired Bánh mì danish which, frankly, we cannot stop thinking about and need to get to Lune to try immediately.
Prior to that, Linda shone with her spicy creation, earning herself a night off come elimination time.
In two back to back immunity challenges, Depinder was marked safe from elimination, having impressed the judges first with her fried chicken and then with her use of fire to make tandoori chicken.
In the first week of the cooking competition past winner, Emelia Jackson, presented a mystery box challenge with three immunity pins as the ultimate prize, especially as there will be no more immunity pins for the rest of the season.
Therese, Elise, and Wynona won the coveted immunity pins, which they can use at any time during the competition — even during an elimination cook. Elise and Wynona used their pin — handing them in to escape elimination during the challenge set for them by Callum, Poh and Reynold — while Therese failed to play hers and was sent home during Kirsten Tibballs dessert challenge, shocking everyone with her decision.
During Heston Blumenthal’s “Breakfast for Dessert” challenge, Pete created a delicious bacon ice cream with potato chips and impressed the judges so much that they declared him safe from the next elimination.
Prior to the premiere of MasterChef Australia 2021, Andy Allen told The Latch that there were “amazing stories” ahead.
“There’s a lot of amazing stories on there,” Allen said. “But to me, the life-changing stories are still to come. The competition started for where we are right now and this is where you really see the best of the contestants who are left and that’s what I’m really excited for.”
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