MasterChef Australia: NZ’s Ben Macdonald is eliminated in effort to make final four

Whangarei-raised Aucklander Ben Macdonald has been eliminated from MasterChef Australia: Back To Win, finishing in fifth place.

It’s the second time the 47-year-old Kiwi chef has been eliminated from the show, after he first competed in season six in 2014 when he was living in Brisbane, and finished sixth.

Macdonald, along with contestants Laura Cassai, Jamie Fleming and Callum Hann, was challenged tonight to make a feast for the eyes and tastebuds in just one mouthful.

The survivors of the challenge would join Depinder Chhibber in the final four.

Compared to the dishes created by his rivals, Macdonald’s dish proved “too much” for the judges, including acclaimed Kiwi chef Vaughan Mabee, who was a guest judge on the episode.

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In two hours, Macdonald made chicken wings stuffed with whitebait mousse, which sat on seaweed and parmesan tuile. There was also chicken liver parfait, chive oil emulsion and caviar on the plate.

Dubbed “The Eliminator”, Macdonald appeared nervous when he presented his dish, prompting a judge to say: “I’m sensing you’re a little bit worried with this one”.

“This isn’t the way I typically cook. I do know it’s delicious and I do know I gave it my best,” replied Macdonald.

Ultimately, it wasn’t enough. While the judges unanimously agreed it was tasty, there was also “too many things going on” and the dish lacked balance. Macdonald was sent home.

Before he appeared on season six of MasterChef, Macdonald was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, spending six months in and out of hospital, followed by three years of treatment before entering remission.

Speaking to the Herald earlier this year, Macdonald said: “It’s a big part of who I am, for sure. I think in general that gives me quite a calm disposition in terms of I don’t get so worried about little things.”

You can watch MasterChef Australia on TVNZ and TVNZ+.