It was an emotional night in Kitchen HQ as two of MKR’smost loved teams: Greek mum and daughter Anne and Maree and besties Lol and Lil went head-to-head in a high-pressure elimination challenge.
With just three hours to serve a two-course banquet, Anne and Maree were eliminated in a close contest, scoring 19 out of 30, while Lol and Lil edged ahead with 21.
With the stakes higher than ever, it wasn’t just judges Manu and Colin deciding their fate. Their fellow teams – who were safe from elimination – also tasted and scored the dishes, making it one of the most intense episodes of MKR yet.
For their main dish, Anne and Maree leaned into their Greek heritage, serving a traditional feast of Lamb shoulder, Lemon potatoes, Dolmades, Greek salad and Tzatziki.
Manu praised the authenticity of the flavours: “You took us to Greece.” Others noted inconsistencies in the meat and a lack of harmony across the plate.
Lol and Lil, determined to prove themselves, served a classic Sunday roast featuring Roast Chicken, Vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, and gravy.
Their perfectly cooked chicken and rich, comforting flavours won over both the judges and their fellow contestants. Colin said their main was: “One of those dishes when you eat it, you smile.”
For dessert, Anne and Maree attempted a traditional Greek Ekmek Kataifi, spinning their own pastry from scratch. Colin called it “moorish”, while Manu noted the base was “a little too thick and not crispy”.
Lol and Lil attempted a technically ambitious dessert: Profiterole tower. The dish proved risky, with some profiteroles lacking filling and inconsistent sizing.
Colin described it as “a half-half for me”. Manu acknowledged their effort: “The amount of work you put in today was crazy.”
When it came time to score, both teams received an average of 7 from their fellow contestants, but the judges’ scores tipped the balance.
On their elimination, Maree said: “I never thought I’d get here, to be honest. I’m so proud.”
Emotional, Anne said to her daughter: “Thank you for doing this with me, allowing me to live out my dream.”
Maree concluded: “We are going to go home with our heads held high. The fact that we even got chosen to do this – we are winners.”
Lol and Lil were overwhelmed with emotion. “This means so much to us to stay in the competition. We are grateful,” Lol said through tears.
