Episode Three - Masterchef Australia - Back to Basics - Team Challenges and Eliminations
Day 3 on Masterchef saw those ten contestants who scored the lowest votes in the signature dish in Episode 2 made to undergo a back to basics team challenge. Eight of the ten contestants were set to be eliminated in this episode.
It was an early start for the team - 6.45 am, before each contestant was asked to choose their partner for the challenge. The challenge was to present two dishes - one main and one desert with ingredients sourced directly from the farm.
Each of the pairs were given $50, a car and a map with seven different farms where they could source their ingredients. Each of the farms specialised in different produce.
The teams were as follows:
Anthony Howell and Justin Moran
Philip Vakos and Andrea Heading
Siobhan Halse and Kim McGinnis
Richard Gunner and Stuart Pritchard
Jennifer Anne and Kate Zahner
But it wasn't all smooth sailing. While most of the teams worked together to collect their produce direct from the farms and the butcher, there was obvious tension between Phillip and Andrea. There was concern from Philip over the time taken by Andrea to collect the ingredients and over her decision to cook the main dish.
It all came to a head as Andrea and Phil arrived back to Masterchef headquarters. Andrea had decided not to cook, but was talked back to the competition by George and Gary. It didn't last long, with Andrea finally leaving Philip to cook by himself.
The teams then worked to create their fresh food mains and deserts, with Philip taking up the challenge to continue cooking both dishes.
Jennifer and Kate produced Poached Chicken in Vegetable Broth for main and a White Peach Ice Cream and Raspberry Sorbet
Anthony and Justin served up Herb Crusted rack of Lamb with Vegetables and Raspberries with Profiteroles.
Richard and Stuart put forward Lam with Leek, Spinach and Goat's Cheese and a Trio of Fruit with Goat's Cheese
Siobhan and Kim served Rack of Pork with Caramelised Peach Puree and Mixed Berry Baked Cheesecake.
Philip put together two dishes, Risotto with Goat's Cheese, Spinach and Mushroom and Shortcrust Strawberry Tart.
And the two judged to be the best of the team challenge....
Jennifer and Kate
All other contestants were eliminated from Masterchef Australia series 2. Or were they?
There was a surprise for one. While his risotto was not judged up to scratch, Philip Vakos' Strawberry tart was highly rated by the judges as was his determination to continue in the face of adversity. For his efforts he was granted a lifeline - and remained in the competition.
Does this mean a final 25 contestants instead of 24 after the first week?
Episode 2 - Signature Dish Challenge & Pressure Test
Episode 2 - Season 2, Masterchef Australia - Signature Dish and Beef Wellington Pressure Test
"Give us bad food...we dont like it. Give us good food, we want to hug you and kiss you". So says George Calombaris as the second episode gets underway. Yet Matt Preston's pink pants were the talking point in the first signature dish challenge of the second series.
The top three women and top three men in the signature dish challenge were set to go through to the next challenge - a pressure test with the two winners progressing to the final 24 contestants from week 2.
The signature test winners had a unique twist - they were self judged by other contestants. And yet there was another surprise - there was a tie - with four women being chosen to go through to the pressure test.
They were:
Claire Winton Burn with her Cous Cous and Pomegranate Sauce
Bel Erarslan with her Fig and Mastic Bavois
Adele Fragnito with her Goats Cheese and Eggplant with Currant and Pine Nut Dressing
Skye Craig with a Lemon Myrtle Semifreddo with Chocolate Avocado Mousse
Alvin Quah presented his Twice Cooked Duck with Coriander and Peanut Salad
Jimmy Seervai with his Chilli Crab Curry with Crispy Okra
Jonathon Daddia and a Saddle of Lamb with Moroccan Spiced Dates
These seven contestants progressed to the pressure test - one of Gary Mehigan's favourite dishes - Beef Wellington with a red wine sauce/gravy.
And the top two contestants from the pressure test going through to the final 24 contestants were...
Claire Winton Burn and Jimmy Seervai
"Give us bad food...we dont like it. Give us good food, we want to hug you and kiss you". So says George Calombaris as the second episode gets underway. Yet Matt Preston's pink pants were the talking point in the first signature dish challenge of the second series.
The top three women and top three men in the signature dish challenge were set to go through to the next challenge - a pressure test with the two winners progressing to the final 24 contestants from week 2.
The signature test winners had a unique twist - they were self judged by other contestants. And yet there was another surprise - there was a tie - with four women being chosen to go through to the pressure test.
They were:
Claire Winton Burn with her Cous Cous and Pomegranate Sauce
Bel Erarslan with her Fig and Mastic Bavois
Adele Fragnito with her Goats Cheese and Eggplant with Currant and Pine Nut Dressing
Skye Craig with a Lemon Myrtle Semifreddo with Chocolate Avocado Mousse
Alvin Quah presented his Twice Cooked Duck with Coriander and Peanut Salad
Jimmy Seervai with his Chilli Crab Curry with Crispy Okra
Jonathon Daddia and a Saddle of Lamb with Moroccan Spiced Dates
These seven contestants progressed to the pressure test - one of Gary Mehigan's favourite dishes - Beef Wellington with a red wine sauce/gravy.
And the top two contestants from the pressure test going through to the final 24 contestants were...
Claire Winton Burn and Jimmy Seervai
Recipes - Basic Beef Wellington
How to Cook Basic Beef Wellington
Basic Beef Wellington
1 Kilo of Mushrooms
2 medium onions
2 tablespoons of butter
1 tablespoon of salt
1 tablespoon of black pepper
120grams of foie gras pate
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
1 kilo of beef tenderloin
500 grams of puff pastry
Preparation
For the stuffing: Add the mushrooms and onions into a food processor and puree. Melt the butter in a skillet over a medium heat then add the mushroom and onion mixture. Cook while stirring occasionally until the combined mixture is dry. Add the salt and pepper and mash in the foie gras pate. Move the stuffing into a bowl and cool it in the refrigerator.
For the meat: Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over a high heat then add the beef and sear on all sides. Remove the meat from the skillet and sprinkle it with salt and pepper. Then place it in the refrigerator until cool.
Then lay out the chilled puff pastry into a rectangle which will enclose the beef. Place a generous layer of stuffing on the pastry then place the beef on top. Add some more stuffing to the top of the beef. Wrap the pastry and seal, then place the Beef Wellington in the fridge to cool for at least 20 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 425F then place the Beef Wellington in the oven and then lower the heat to 350F. Roast for about 30-35 minutes.
Remove from the oven and allow Beef Wellington cool for about 20 minutes.
Basic Beef Wellington
1 Kilo of Mushrooms
2 medium onions
2 tablespoons of butter
1 tablespoon of salt
1 tablespoon of black pepper
120grams of foie gras pate
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
1 kilo of beef tenderloin
500 grams of puff pastry
Preparation
For the stuffing: Add the mushrooms and onions into a food processor and puree. Melt the butter in a skillet over a medium heat then add the mushroom and onion mixture. Cook while stirring occasionally until the combined mixture is dry. Add the salt and pepper and mash in the foie gras pate. Move the stuffing into a bowl and cool it in the refrigerator.
For the meat: Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over a high heat then add the beef and sear on all sides. Remove the meat from the skillet and sprinkle it with salt and pepper. Then place it in the refrigerator until cool.
Then lay out the chilled puff pastry into a rectangle which will enclose the beef. Place a generous layer of stuffing on the pastry then place the beef on top. Add some more stuffing to the top of the beef. Wrap the pastry and seal, then place the Beef Wellington in the fridge to cool for at least 20 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 425F then place the Beef Wellington in the oven and then lower the heat to 350F. Roast for about 30-35 minutes.
Remove from the oven and allow Beef Wellington cool for about 20 minutes.
Episode One - Challenges and Eliminations
Challenges and Eliminations from Episode 1 - Season, 2 Masterchef Australia
The first episode of Masterchef Series Two pitted 50 contestants against each other in high pressure challenges which resulted in 5 eliminations from the competition.
Contestants were presented with a BBQ and a choice of ingredients and given 90 minutes to produce a meal for the judges. All of the meals were tasted by judges Gary, George and Matt with the bottom ten contestants identified and made to take part in an elimination round.
Guest Chef Donna Hay presented the contestants with a tricky challenge - an Australian classic - Pavlova.
The ten contestants who took part in the Pavlova elimination challenge were:
Irmgard Kastner
Nicki Tsonis
Sharnee Rawson
Jason McCloy
Adele Fragnito
Mark Smith
Sarah Carmichael
Dom Corrigan
Amanda Cummins
Michelle Lewis
And the eliminations from Episode 1 were....
Jason McCloy
Amanda Cummins
Nicki Tsonis
Michelle Lewis
Irmgard Kastner
The first episode of Masterchef Series Two pitted 50 contestants against each other in high pressure challenges which resulted in 5 eliminations from the competition.
Contestants were presented with a BBQ and a choice of ingredients and given 90 minutes to produce a meal for the judges. All of the meals were tasted by judges Gary, George and Matt with the bottom ten contestants identified and made to take part in an elimination round.
Guest Chef Donna Hay presented the contestants with a tricky challenge - an Australian classic - Pavlova.
The ten contestants who took part in the Pavlova elimination challenge were:
Irmgard Kastner
Nicki Tsonis
Sharnee Rawson
Jason McCloy
Adele Fragnito
Mark Smith
Sarah Carmichael
Dom Corrigan
Amanda Cummins
Michelle Lewis
And the eliminations from Episode 1 were....
Jason McCloy
Amanda Cummins
Nicki Tsonis
Michelle Lewis
Irmgard Kastner
Contestant Profile - Adam Liaw
Masterchef Australia Contestant Adam Liaw
More than 7000 applicants submitted their names to take part in the second season of Masterchef Australia. That list was cut down to just 50 to take part in the first week of the program, before being culled again to a top 24.
Masterchef Australia features 6 shows per week, with numerous challenges and two elimination rounds. A Masterclass session is held once a week.
Adam Liaw is aged 31 and is a Media Lawyer from South Australia. Adam returned from Tokyo just to compete in Masterchef. Adam even has his own blog where he details recipes as well as taking professional looking shots of the finished product.
More to come...
More than 7000 applicants submitted their names to take part in the second season of Masterchef Australia. That list was cut down to just 50 to take part in the first week of the program, before being culled again to a top 24.
Masterchef Australia features 6 shows per week, with numerous challenges and two elimination rounds. A Masterclass session is held once a week.
Adam Liaw is aged 31 and is a Media Lawyer from South Australia. Adam returned from Tokyo just to compete in Masterchef. Adam even has his own blog where he details recipes as well as taking professional looking shots of the finished product.
More to come...
Contestant Profile - Siobhan Halse
Masterchef Australia Contestant Siobhan Halse
More than 7000 applicants submitted their names to take part in the second season of Masterchef Australia. That list was cut down to just 50 to take part in the first week of the program, before being culled again to a top 24.
Masterchef Australia features 6 shows per week, with numerous challenges and two elimination rounds. A Masterclass session is held once a week.
Siobhan Halse is aged 31 and is a Personal Assistant from Western Australia.
More to come...
More than 7000 applicants submitted their names to take part in the second season of Masterchef Australia. That list was cut down to just 50 to take part in the first week of the program, before being culled again to a top 24.
Masterchef Australia features 6 shows per week, with numerous challenges and two elimination rounds. A Masterclass session is held once a week.
Siobhan Halse is aged 31 and is a Personal Assistant from Western Australia.
More to come...
Contestant Profile - Richard Gunner
Masterchef Australia Contestant Richard Gunner
More than 7000 applicants submitted their names to take part in the second season of Masterchef Australia. That list was cut down to just 50 to take part in the first week of the program, before being culled again to a top 24.
Masterchef Australia features 6 shows per week, with numerous challenges and two elimination rounds. A Masterclass session is held once a week.
Richard Gunner is aged 37 and is a Cattle and Sheep Farmer from South Australia.
More to come...
More than 7000 applicants submitted their names to take part in the second season of Masterchef Australia. That list was cut down to just 50 to take part in the first week of the program, before being culled again to a top 24.
Masterchef Australia features 6 shows per week, with numerous challenges and two elimination rounds. A Masterclass session is held once a week.
Richard Gunner is aged 37 and is a Cattle and Sheep Farmer from South Australia.
More to come...
