The proof was not in the pudding.
Sunday night on the season return of Australia’s favourite cooking show, MKR, Victorian dad and daughter team Peter (56) and Alice (31) presented a beautiful menu inspired by family favourites, but were let down by their take on their Grandma’s beloved Lemon Delicious pudding.
As the team’s entrée of Sunday Roast Croquette with Grandma’s Relish hit the table, the critiques were in for the competition’s first dish. The judging teams noted a lack of seasoning, char and roast flavour, along with a too-sweet relish.
Judge Manu Feildel agreed, criticising the lack of roast flavour and said that although the croquette was crunchy, it lacked a salty seasoning. Manu felt the dish could have been better but acknowledged they were the first team to cook.
A disheartened Peter and Alice returned to the kitchen to prepare their main of Parmesan Crumbed Lamb Cutlets with Minted Peas, Silverbeet and Salsa Verde.
The cutlets were a hit around the table, with Western Australia’s Matt (39) saying the lamb was cooked perfectly. Queensland’s Kate (38) and Mary (57) said the dish was “spot on”.
Judges Manu and Nigella were also fans of the pair’s main. Nigella cleaned her plate and admired Peter and Alice’s ability to pick themselves up after their imperfect entrée.
Nigella told Alice:
“I think this was just a joyful plate of food. It was so lovely. I thought the lamb was cooked perfectly. One of the many reasons you were put on this world was to put crumbs on things and deep fry them!”
Peter and Alice returned to the table to proudly serve their Grandma’s Lemon Delicious pudding in delicate tea cups. The table was wowed with the presentation, but upon closer inspection, it became clear the team’s dessert was undercooked and more of a soup than a pudding.
“This is heartbreaking. This wasn’t cooked the way your grandma made it, was it?” asked Nigella, alluding to the team’s fatal error of cooking the puddings in tea cups rather than a casserole dish.
“This is a pudding I have made every week for 30 years. I’ve made it once for 12 people, and it’s a disaster!” said Peter.
Nigella did her best to encourage Peter and Alice, both bitterly disappointed. “You are both lovely people and cooks. It was the perfect choice to balance out your menu. These things happen to us sometimes, and it happened on the wrong night. I’m sorry.”
The teams awarded Peter and Alice a total score of 26, with Kate and Mary awarding a four, the lowest team score of the night. Manu and Nigella gave the team a score of 28, bringing Peter and Alice’s overall total to 54/110.
| Judges’ Scores | Entrée | Main | Dessert | ||||||
| Nigella Lawson | 5 | 8 | 1 | 14/30 | |||||
| Manu Feildel | 5 | 8 | 1 | 14/30 | |||||
| Total | 28/60 |
| MKR Team Scores | |||
| Kate and Mary | 4/10 | ||
| Ashlee and Matt | 6/10 | ||
| Janelle and Monzir | 6/10 | ||
| Arrnott and Fuzz | 5/10 | ||
| Steven and Frena | 5/10 | ||
| Guest Score | 26/50 | ||
| Total Score | 54/110 |
