Harrison and Oliver have survived a nail-biting My Kitchen Rules elimination, sending Queensland mother and daughter Krysten and Lucy home after a two-point result in the first Kitchen HQ cook-off.
Both teams had plenty to prove in a two-course banquet challenge, but while the mains kept things close, dessert ultimately decided who would continue in the competition.
The two highest-scoring teams from the second Instant Restaurant round were tasked with preparing a main and dessert for judges Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge, alongside the five teams already declared safe.
Krysten and Lucy went all out with a chicken Madras curry feast, serving vegetable pakora, dahl, raita, garlic naan, rice and pineapple chutney. It was an ambitious spread that impressed the judges, although slightly overcooked chicken and naan missing its signature puff took some shine off the dishes.
“It looked amazing. I was like, I would eat in this restaurant,” Colin said.
Harrison and Oliver opted for a steak feast, but their main course wasn’t without its problems either. A salt mishap, inconsistent fries and plain beans threatened to derail their chances, although the quality of the beef kept them in contention.
“That beef was cooked to perfection,” Manu said.
The teams were level on the guest judges’ average of eight out of 10, before Manu and Colin each awarded Harrison and Oliver seven out of 10 for their main, compared with eight apiece for Krysten and Lucy.
That gave the Queensland pair a two-point advantage heading into dessert, but the final course would turn the result on its head.
Krysten and Lucy served cardamom buns with orange cream, pistachio-stuffed dates and shortbread. While the additional elements showcased their technique, the buns themselves proved too heavy and dense, with the cream unable to reach the centre.
“My bun had no cream. It was dry,” Colin said, suggesting the pair would have been better off concentrating on getting the buns right rather than adding so many extras.
Harrison and Oliver, meanwhile, delivered with their nonno’s fritole and coffee cream. Despite Manu describing the doughnut as ugly, its moist centre, crisp exterior and flavour were enough to win him over.
“The doughnut was ugly, but the inside was full of flavour,” Manu said.
The dessert scores were decisive. Harrison and Oliver received eight out of 10 from both judges, while Krysten and Lucy managed just six apiece.
That left Harrison and Oliver with 38 points out of 50, edging out Krysten and Lucy on 36 and securing their place in the competition.
But the elimination wasn’t the only drama playing out around the table.
As the safe teams discussed the food, Angus suggested some contestants may have wanted Krysten and Lucy eliminated because they viewed the Queenslanders as strong competition.
“I just have felt that there is dishonesty when it comes to some critiques, and that might be unfounded, but that’s just how I feel about some people’s critiques,” he said.
Mary wasn’t impressed with the suggestion, pushing back against the accusation.
“Well, I’m upset being called dishonest because that’s just not right. Just because we have different opinions doesn’t mean that I’m dishonest.”
Manu also challenged Angus on his reasoning, asking whether he would consider him a liar if his own assessment differed from Angus’s.
“No,” Angus replied.
With their place in the competition secured, Harrison and Oliver admitted the result was bittersweet, particularly given the strength of the departing team.
“We fully were prepared to see them in the grand final, and if there was anyone we were worried to go up against, it was definitely going to be you two,” Oliver told Krysten and Lucy.
Colin also paid tribute to the mother and daughter, praising what they had brought to the competition.
“You’re everything that embodies this competition. You loved it, you lived it. The food you cook is the food I want to eat.”
For Lucy, the experience was about more than the cooking.
“The best part’s spending this time with mum. I’m really proud of us, and I feel like we will remember this for the rest of our lives.”
Next time on My Kitchen Rules: A global cuisine challenge serves up a first for the competition, Mary and Golden receive an advantage, and tensions between Angus and Simon continue to intensify.
