Tonight, MKR on Seven and 7plus brought high drama to Adelaide as boss friends Maria and Bailey faced a challenging cook filled with high expectations but ultimately earned a total score of 64 out of 100, securing their place in the semi-finals.
Determined to silence their critics and ensure their food could rise above the strategic scoring drama, the duo served an ambitious menu.
Bailey admitted: “The whole table has been turning on us recently since they found out we strategically scored.”
“We have a target on our back,” added Maria.
For entrée, they served Octopus with Fava and Spicy Salsa Verde, as well as Feta Gnocchi with Prawn Bisque, Pepper Cream, and Ouzo Gel, which received mixed reactions from the judges. Colin scored his entrée a seven and praised the octopus as “cooked beautifully”, although he wanted “a little more char” and less of the overpowering fava puree.
Manu was disappointed with the gnocchi, calling it “too dense and heavy”, but he appreciated the salty feta, scoring a six.
The mains – Barramundi with Potato Scales, Mediterranean Vegetables and Lemon Velouté, and Scotch Fillet with Red Wine Jus and Potato Terrine – were impacted by chaos in the kitchen.
Mark’s unexpected intrusion, saying he wanted to help them by delivering the steak order, rattled the team, with Bailey fuming: “He’s here to distract us.” The steaks triggered a smoke alarm and Maria admitted: “We know our mains are not perfect, but we faced a lot of chaos tonight.”
Both mains received a six from the judges. Colin found his scotch fillet slightly overcooked and said the red wine jus “still tasted of alcohol”, while Manu noted the fish was “nicely cooked” but the potato scales “could have been done a lot better”.
Dessert was a high-stakes moment for Maria, who owns a cookie business. They served a warm Pistachio Cookie with Praline and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, and Pavlova with Earl Grey Ganache, Raspberry and Pink Peppercorn Coulis.
Colin enjoyed the cookie’s flavour and caramelised pistachios but said “I wanted a soft gooey ooziness. It was a lot of hard cookie.” He scored the dish a six. Manu praised the pavlova’s components individually, alongside the “fantastic” ganache, but felt they didn’t quite go together, scoring a seven.
The guest teams awarded Bailey and Maria 26 out of 40, with Bailey expressing surprise at Mark and Tan’s score of seven.
Bailey shared: “Mark cannot be trusted. He is playing a strategic game to butter us up, so we score them well for their Ultimate Instant Restaurant.”
