Tonight, on My Kitchen Rules, Sydney Gatecrashers Harrison and Oliver wore their hearts on their sleeves, serving treasured family recipes to score 82 points and claim second place on the leaderboard.
Opening their eclectic Instant Restaurant, Bloody Bellissimo, in Sydney’s inner west, the hipster mates were determined to prove their cooking deserved as much attention as their quirky clothes.
Their ambitious menu featured Venetian Liver and Onion Ravioli for entrée, ’Nduja Stuffed Squid with Polenta Bianca for main, and Chocolate Pavlova with Espresso Cream and Raspberries for dessert.
But not everyone considered them serious competition. “I’ve actually never felt less threatened in my entire life by these Gatecrashers. I’m pretty sure they’re going home,” Angus declared.
Trouble struck early when the boys’ pasta dough stuck to its cling wrap, threatening to derail their entrée before the guests arrived. Oliver managed to salvage it, but a sharp prosecco-and-saffron sauce left him anxious as he carried the ravioli to the table.
The judges praised the pasta but wanted it to be more filling and the sauce better balanced. Manu awarded the entrée six and Colin seven, describing it as “a beautiful tasting dish” when the sauce and ravioli were combined.
Their main course carried particular significance for Oliver, who learnt to cook stuffed squid with his late Nonno.
“I was incredibly close to my grandparents, but even ever since my Nonno has passed away, I continue to make it every single year on Good Friday. I just hope that I can do them proud,” he said.
The dish gave the boys the breakthrough they needed. While the spicy ’nduja divided the table, the judges loved the tender squid and rich sauce, awarding nine out of 10 each.
“I really love the way you cooked and braised these squids. The sauce, that was absolutely delicious,” Manu said.
Colin agreed: “It was a lot of sauce with a lot of love.”
For dessert, Harrison drew on his own family memories, serving a chocolate pavlova he grew up making with his mum. The judges enjoyed its crisp exterior and gooey chocolate centre but wanted less cream and more raspberry acidity. Both scored it seven.
Alisha and Deanne were the boys’ biggest supporters, awarding nine out of 10, while the remaining teams each scored seven. The combined guest score of 37 out of 50, plus the judges’ 45 out of 60, brought the total to 82.
The result put Harrison and Oliver behind leaders Krysten and Lucy on 92, with Sheridan and Ted at the bottom on 69.
Overwhelmed by the result, Harrison broke down in happy tears. “I’m so relieved. I’m so proud of Oliver. These are happy tears.”
Away from the kitchen, Angus fuelled the rivalry by calling the hosts a “rip-off, reject shop, bargain bin Angus and Simon” duo, while Manu declared Alisha and Deanne the loudest contestants in MKR’s 16 years.
