Tonight, MKR’s most controversial team – Michael and Rielli – were eliminated in a nail-biting cook-off that came down to a single point.
The opinionated couple battled it out against Danielle and Marko in a banquet-style challenge, landing a final score of 21 against Danielle and Marko’s 22.
The pressure was intense as they competed with mains and desserts designed to impress not only judges Manu and Colin, but also the remaining safe teams.
Michael entered the kitchen with confidence, declaring he was “not intimidated” but things quickly spiralled.
Their ambitious pork banquet – Pulled Pork, Baby Back Ribs, Apple Slaw, and Rielli’s signature bread rolls – was hit by a series of setbacks.
Michael placed two kilos of pork into the pressure cooker without cutting it, costing valuable time. A switch to avocado oil in the slaw added to the chaos as they fought to deliver the promised banquet.
The ribs – a tribute to Michael’s father – proved difficult when the sauce wasn’t right and in a heart-stopping moment, Michael dropped a tray of ribs on the floor as he got them out of the oven.
Despite the drama, Michael stood proud of their final dish.
Danielle and Marko took a more refined approach, plating Eye fillet with Chimichurri, Peppercorn sauce, Duck Fat Potatoes, Mushrooms and Spinach.
The steaks didn’t sear properly as Marko admitted he’d never felt so panicked, but they managed to serve medium-rare beef and breathed a sigh of relief.
Feedback on mains was mixed. Danielle and Marko’s steak earned praise for flavour and sauces, though some found it under-seasoned.
Michael and Rielli’s ribs were loved by some, but others found them overly sweet and lacking balance.
Meat-master’s main rival, Mark, didn’t hold back: “We probably want the meat master to go home. I think his time’s up.”
With dessert looming, Manu announced Danielle and Marko were slightly ahead.
Dessert queen Rielli prepared Crème Brûlée Doughnuts. The technical elements proved challenging as the first batch browned too much, the toffee lacked depth, and the doughnuts were too hot to fill.
Rielli broke down in tears, fearing the worst. Michael comforted her, as they pushed through to the finish line in time together.
Danielle and Marko played it safe with a Banoffee Pie, banking on flavour over flair. Danielle said: “It may be a little bit simpler than Michael and Rielli’s, but the flavour is 200% there.”
Dessert feedback was again divided. Rielli’s doughnuts were praised for flavour and filling, but some found the toffee too hard or the custard lacking.
Danielle and Marko’s pie was seen as a safe but satisfying crowd-pleaser.
In the end, their fellow contestants – Justin and Will, Maria and Bailey, Lol and Lil, and Mark and Tan – gave both couples an average score of seven.
It was Manu and Colin’s scores that tipped the balance, as Danielle and Marko edged ahead with a total of 22 points, while Michael and Rielli fell just short with 21.
Manu praised both couples for their effort, to Michael and Rielli, he added: “What a team, you will always be remembered, there’s no doubt about that!”
Putting the meat-master ego aside, Michael and Rielli congratulated Danielle and Marko as an emotional Rielli reflected: “I cannot believe the MKR journey is over. So ridiculously close, but absolutely no regrets.”
