Tonight, on My Kitchen Rules, Newcastle’s sassy friends Zoe and Zac survived a main-course disaster to secure their place at Kitchen HQ, scoring 58 points and sending South Australian “classy bogans” Alisha and Deanne home.
With Alisha and Deanne sitting at the bottom of the leaderboard on 54, the final Instant Restaurant of the round was a high-stakes showdown. For Zoe, a pescatarian, Angus and Simon had labelled her the “weakest link”; it was also a chance to silence her critics.
“Angus and Simon, they’ve been quite harsh and disrespectful about Zoe being the pescatarian, but tonight they’ll be eating their words,” Zac said.
At their coastal, Mediterranean-inspired Instant Restaurant, Shuck Yeah, the lifelong friends served Cashew Cream Zucchini Flowers with Caramelised Onions for their entrée, Crumbed Swordfish with Fennel Salad and Lemon Rosemary Potatoes for the main, and Basil Panna Cotta with Lemon Curd and Strawberries for dessert.
Before heading into the kitchen, Zoe asked the table for “no strategy tonight”. Angus had other ideas: “If anything, I’m going to ramp up my strategy after that comment.”
Tensions escalated when Alisha and Deanne confronted Angus and Simon over claims the boys wanted them at Kitchen HQ because they would be easier to beat. Simon refused to apologise: “I’ll give you a hot tip, no one at this table is getting an apology from me.”
The zucchini flowers delivered a promising start. Judges Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge praised the light, crispy batter, but wanted more flavour in the cashew cream and greater caramelisation on the onions. Manu awarded the entrée seven and Colin six.
But the main course put Zoe and Zac’s survival in jeopardy. Manu questioned the decision to crumb swordfish, while the underdressed fennel salad, raw onion and cheese failed to impress. The potatoes also missed the mark.
“That was a mistake from start to finish,” Colin said, awarding the dish four. Manu scored it just three.
“Hearing that feedback, I’m definitely worried this is the dish to send us home,” Zoe admitted.
The pair’s hopes rested on dessert. While the basil flavour divided the table, the judges praised the well-set panna cotta, lemon curd and crumb. Both awarded seven, giving Zoe and Zac the points they needed to stay.
The guest teams scored a combined 24 out of 50, including fours from Angus, Simon, Alisha, and Deanne. Zoe questioned the result: “I don’t believe that 24 is a fair score, considering that our entree and dessert were good.”
With 34 out of 60 from the judges, Zoe and Zac finished on 58 – four points clear of Alisha and Deanne, whose MKR journey came to an emotional end.
“Looking back, I couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone else,” Alisha said.
Colin praised the departing friends: “You wear your heart on your sleeve, you’re honest, you don’t hide behind anything, so you did yourselves proud.”
Alisha and Deanne left with one final honour, as Manu presented them with a medal and declared them “the loudest people we’ve ever had on My Kitchen Rules
