Best mates Justin and Will clinched the first spot in the MKR Grand Final, delivering a high-risk, high-reward cook that came down to the final seconds of plating their ambitious chocolate soufflé dessert.
Facing off against Western Australia’s loved-up couple Danielle and Marko, the semi-final was a pressure cooker of emotion, strategy and bold flavours. With just two knockout courses to impress the judges, both teams had two hours for mains and one hour for dessert.
Justin and Will doubled down with the riskiest dish of the competition – a daring Sri Lankan Tripe Curry with Carrot Sambal and Paratha alongside a technically challenging dessert.
Manu called it “a very ballsy dish”. Colin added: “At this stage of the competition. I love that they have taken a risk on tripe.”
Danielle and Marko leaned into their strengths with an Asian-inspired main course of Miso Glazed Salmon with Soba Noodles and a Smashed Cucumber Salad.
While their fellow competitors tasted each dish, semi-final results are solely based on the judges’ critique.
Both teams were praised for the creativity and flavour of their mains, although execution missteps were noted. Danielle and Marko’s salmon lacked caramelisation, while Justin and Will’s curry was rich but could have used a touch more sourness to balance the dish.
Colin said: “It was a beautiful curry, but I have had a better curry from you before.”
After mains, Manu and Colin announced Justin and Will were narrowly in the lead. It all came down to dessert.
Danielle and Marko served a Pandan Meringue with Lemon Curd and Raspberry Sorbet. Manu praised the flavours although acknowledging “a few errors along the way”.
Justin and Will went all in with a Chocolate Soufflé with Chocolate Ice Cream and Caramel Whisky Sauce, a dish that had them racing against the clock, nearly missing the plating window.
With two minutes left, their souffles were still in the oven. Will said: “This is the most stressed I have ever been, it’s coming down to the wire.”
As the seconds ticked by, Manu asked: “Are you plating anything?”
Manu called soufflé “one of the hardest things to present, it was light, rich, slightly gooey in the middle”.
Colin noted the sauce was “a little too strong, but when you add it to the ice cream and the bitterness of the chocolate, it was perfect”.
The judges praised Justin and Will’s courage and sacrifice, acknowledging the emotional toll of time spent away from their families.
Colin said: “You went hard. It paid off and you’re not going home.”
“Big risk, big reward,” an emotional Justin said. “That time away has been the hardest part, but it’s also been our greatest motivation. We just want to make our families proud.”
Danielle and Marko hung up their aprons and said goodbye to their MKR dream.
“We couldn’t have been up against better competition. We would have loved to get the win, but we went out with a really good cook,” Danielle said. “I’m so proud of us and how far we’ve come.”
Manu added: “You brought a lot of passion to your dishes. You are funny, warm, and optimistic at all times.”
