Tonight, the season return of MKR delivered a feast of drama with bold flavours and even bolder personalities. Best mates Justin and Will, from NSW, served a heartfelt menu to set a strong culinary tone, scoring a total of 79 out of 110 for their Instant Restaurant: Tropic Like It’s Hot.
At the MKR table were Australia’s most passionate and outspoken home cooks: Victorian Greek mum and daughter, Anne and Maree, Queensland’s opinionated couple, Michael and Rielli and besties, Lol and Lil; Feisty cousins, Mel and Jacinta, from NSW, as well as boss friends from South Australia, Maria and Bailey.
The sport-loving mates from Sutherland Shire showcased family, friendship and culture as they served Ota Ika (Ceviche) with Taro crisps for entrée, Red Duck Curry with Coconut Rice for main, and Cape Malay Koeksister (South African fried doughnut) with spice syrup for dessert. While the food impressed, the dinner table drama stole the spotlight.
Michael, a self-proclaimed meat master, clashed with nutritionist Jacinta over her choice not to eat meat, asking: “Do you really think it is fair you guys are judging a meat dish with one person instead of two?
Jacinta held firm, baffled why her choice not to eat meat was such a big deal: “I’ve cooked meat, I’ve eaten meat. I’m just not eating it right now.” Michael wasn’t having it: “You can’t judge by looking at something. Just taste the food.”
Meanwhile, bogan-gate brewed when Michael dubbed Logan-based besties Lol and Lil “The Logan Bogans.” Lol fired back: “We are definitely not the Logan Bogans. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
Justin and Will’s entrée, a Tongan-style ceviche, was praised for texture but lacked punch. The dish “needed more salt and heat,” earning a score of six from judges Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge.
Their standout main dish, a duck curry, impressed both the judges and fellow teams. Manu raved it was a “wonderful, ballsy curry.” Colin called it “near perfect,” though the undercooked rice let them down.
The traditional South African dessert didn’t reach the nostalgic heights Justin had hoped for from his childhood, as some teams questioned whether it was a competition-worthy dessert.
The judges awarded Justin and Will a total score of 42 out of 60, including a score of nine from both Manu and Colin for their main. The guest teams gave them a score of 37, bringing Justin and Will’s overall total to 79 out of 110.
