MasterChef Australia 2023 made its debut to television screens on May 14 and after a week of intense mastery in the kitchen, one hopeful has already been eliminated.
Initially, the cooking show was scheduled to premiere on May 7, however in respects to judge Jock Zonfrillo who passed away on the same day, Australia’s Network 10 made the decision to hold off, and TVNZ followed their lead and held the show.
To tribute Jock, a touching tribute was shared during a special edition of The Sunday Project by celebrating his achievements and honouring his personal and professional life.
With his family’s support, MasterChef Australia began.
And so, eighteen contestants will spend the next few weeks battling it out to be the best and ultimately win MasterChef Australia 2023.
Continue reading to find out who have been eliminated from the competition.
Adi
In a unique and difficult taste-test, the contestants had to examine “jelly-like texture” pearls which had no discernible smell. Unfortunately, Adi fasely identified the pearl which sent her into the elimination challenge where each colour was assigned to a different dish.
After struggling to decide on a clear direction for her dish, Adi was sadly the eleventh to be eliminated.
(Image: TVNZ/Ten)
Ralph
In a challenge set by renowned chef, Nelly Robinson, Ralph was the tenth contestant to leave MasterChef.
After struggling with desserts throughout the entire competition, the judges found Ralphs carrot cake was undercooked and burnt.
(Image: TVNZ/Ten)
Antonio
Sadly, Antonio’s puff pasty saw him being the ninth contestant to be eliminated during the Maggie Beer Gamble Elimination Challenge.
(Image: TVNZ/Ten)
Grace
It was a complicated Pho that was Grace’s downfall on MasterChef. “Practically, it was browning off my bones…. which left it quite fatty at the end. Not being super familiar with the cuisine is probably where I came down,” she told our sister site WHO.
(Image: TVNZ/Ten)
Phil
After a masterclass from renowned chef, Rick Stein the contestants were tasked with creating a calamari dish for this week’s elimination challenge.
While Phil’s first dish impressed the judges, he just fell short and found himself in the second round with Declan, Malissa and Ralph. The next round had contestants choose one of five locations inspired by Rick’s travels, and create a dish which showcased the country’s cuisine.
Sadly, Phil’s spaghetti con anatra caused him to be eliminated from the competition.
(Image: TVNZ/Ten)
Robbie
Robbie and four other contestants were sent into a challenge where they had 75 minutes to cook a dish inspired by classic Aussie food.
He wanted to cook curried sausages but the judges pointed out the dish was repetitive, Robbie decided to cook a prawn cocktail with his curry sauce as the mayonnaise.
Unfortunately, the prawns were overcooked nor did the curry sauce combine well with the lettuce texture and Robbie was the sixth contestant to be sent home.
(Image: TVNZ/Ten)
Andrea
During the first elimination challenge, contestants had to cook a meal using three ingredients close to the judges childhood: either Kumquats, Vegemite or Panettone.
After 60 minutes, the three least impressive dishes were sent to cook in an additional round. Where Andrea was unfortunately the first contestant to be sent home. Meanwhile, Amy and Robbie – who were in the high-stakes second round – get to see yet another competition.
(Image: Ten/TVNZ)
Larissa
Larissa was the second contestant to be eliminated this season after an unbalance sweet choux saw her sent home during the pastry elimination challenge.
But, luckily she won a second chance apron earlier in the week which allowed her to cook in the next elimination challenge.
Larissa rejoined the competition during Julie Goodwin’s Seafood Stew elimination challenge.
(Image: Ten/TVNZ)
Jessica
Although Larissa re-entered the competition, one contestant had to be eliminated during the Seafood Stew Challenge.
Sadly for Jessica, her choice to make an eggless pasta with bread flour was her downfall and she was sent home.
(Image: Ten/TVNZ)
Amy
In a challenge where the contestants had just 45 minutes to prepare their dish of choice and then 60 minutes to cook it the next day, Amy’s Mexican and Japanese pork braised tacos didn’t impress.
Despite this setback, Amy described the show as a “stepping stone” for her future.
“To even get the opportunity to come on here is mindblowing, I’m so bloody proud of myself for getting this far,” she told New Idea. “It’s very stressful and time goes so quickly in the MasterChef kitchen.”
“Every challenge was good in itself, you learned a lot, if it was a bit hard that was always a learning curve, I did enjoy every single challenge.”
(Image: TVNZ/Ten)
Alice and fellow contestants Declan and Grace had to recreate Chef Donato Toce’s Messinetta dish in just four hours and fifteen minutes.
Alice’s dense and icy gelato wasn’t good enough for the judges and she is the fifth contestant to be eliminated.
(Image: TVNZ/Ten)
