the final spot in the MKR semi-finals was decided after a dramatic Ultimate Instant Restaurant saw competitive mates Mark and Tan eliminated from the competition.
With tensions simmering and expectations high, Mark and Tan’s ambitious Thai fusion dishes couldn’t overcome missteps, including two dessert disasters.
Mark and Tan fell short with a total score of 56 out of 100 making Danielle and Marko, the loved-up couple from Western Australia, the final team to secure a place in the semi-finals.
Joining them in the top four are NSW dads Justin and Will, Queensland besties Lol and Lil, and boss friends from South Australia, Maria and Bailey, who earlier in the week survived their own high-pressure cook and remain determined to rise above their strategic scoring admission that has dominated the table talk.
Mark and Tan entered their final cook with bold intentions: a Thai-inspired menu with creative twists and a high-energy vibe. Their entrées of Pork and Prawn Dumplings with Thai Red Curry Sauce and Tuna Tartare with Fried Seaweed Crisps impressed some guests and judges, with Colin and Manu both awarding eights for the starters.
However, the momentum faltered during the mains and fell apart for dessert.
The Pad See Ew with Grilled Steak and the Pan-Seared Duck with Chilli Orange Sauce drew criticism for lack of cohesion and execution. Both judges scored their main a six as Colin noted the Pad See Ew felt like “two separate dishes”, while Manu found the duck dish lacking in balance and flavour.
Both desserts proved their undoing, with undercooked Boozy Bitter Orange Steamed Puddings and an overbaked Thai Milk Tea Tart failing to deliver the wow factor Mark and Tan needed to stay in the competition.
Tan admitted: “It’s heartbreaking to hear we messed up and we’ve just got to pay the price.” Mark added: “We didn’t deliver tonight, but it’s been an awesome experience, so we’ll walk out with our heads held high.”
Thrilled to make the semi-finals, Danielle said: “I’m so proud of us, a little bit in shock to be honest.”
Now, the race to the MKR 2025 Grand Final is officially here.
