Tonight on My Kitchen Rules, nurses and lifelong friends Mary and Golden served a deeply personal Filipino feast at their Instant Restaurant, Aming Kusina – but food stylist Jane’s blunt assessment of the competition put her at odds with almost everyone at the table.
Mary and Golden’s menu featured an entrée of Okoy Fritters with Pipino Salad, a main of Cebu Lechon Belly with Pandan Rice and Atchara, and Mango Float Ice Cream Sandwich for dessert.
Jane declared Tiffany and Giancarlo were the first team to deliver “real flavour,” effectively dismissing the food served by the first three teams. Her claim left Alisha fuming, drew an outraged response from Simon and placed an enormous target on Jane and Shane ahead of their highly anticipated cook.
The tension began when Jane and Shane described themselves as honest critics. Krysten and Lucy accused them of softening their comments when teams returned to the table and questioned whether the pair were being “a little bit two-faced.”
When Jane appeared to contradict Shane over a previous plating comment, Alisha erupted: “Jane and Shane are contradicting themselves right there as we speak. Fake, fake, fakeity fake.”
Jane then raised the stakes when Manu asked which team she considered her biggest competition. “I think Tiff and Giancarlo. Honestly, they were the first kitchen to bring us some real flavour,” she replied.
Simon branded the comment “outrageous,” while Krysten challenged the suggestion that every dish served by the first three teams had lacked flavour. Jane remained unmoved, telling the table: “Effort doesn’t equal flavour.”
With Jane and Shane due to cook next, the teams vowed to scrutinise every element of their meal.
Jane was equally unapologetic about the pressure awaiting her in the kitchen. Asked how she felt about being the final team to cook, she replied: “I feel fine.”
Away from the table drama, Mary and Golden delivered an emotional celebration of their heritage. Their Okoy Fritters were the standout, with judge Manu Feildel praising the crispy vegetables while fellow judge Colin Fassnidge said the prawns were succulent and beautiful. Manu scored the dish a nine and Colin awarded the team a perfect 10.
The Cebu Lechon Belly impressed with its crackling, pickles and exceptional liver sauce, but the pork was overcooked and dry. Colin scored six and Manu seven, with Colin demoting self-proclaimed “queen of pork” Mary to “princess.”
Their Mango Float Ice Cream Sandwich divided the table. The smooth, silky mango ice cream was praised, but the milk bun was too dense and yeasty. Manu and Colin each scored five.
The guest teams awarded Mary and Golden a combined 35 out of 50. Together with the judges’ score of 42 out of 60, the pair finished on 77 points and moved into second place behind Tiffany and Giancarlo.
Golden became emotional as she reflected on representing the Filipino community. “I want my family to be proud of me. That’s it,” she said.
