With the dreaded cookbook challenge presented to our trio of duos, there was no time for half-baked ideas. Not only did the dishes have to taste spectacular, they literally had to look as pretty as the picture, that would grace the cover.
The couples had just one hour to present the judges with a two course meal that epitomised the name, theme and inspiration for their cookbooks.
The always cool, calm and collected young-blood's, Karena and Kasey, were as usual, in complete control. The vision of their cookbook, For the Love Of, was a concept so clear, you could literally taste it. No surprise then, when they won the first challenge with a perfect coconut and fennel broth with seafood, followed by a burnt caramel steamed pudding.
Nikki and Jordan seemed much more relaxed and the return to a familiar kitchen did wonders for Nikki's confidence, which had been crumbling in recent weeks. Their cookbook vision, A Perfect Mouthful, came one step closer to reality as the mother and daughter team, despite a couple of minor plating errors, came a close second.
So impressed was Simon with the crust on the fish, he asked Jordan for the recipe, so he could serve it in his own restaurant.
That left, recent high flyers, Jamie and Bec, to dish up the drama and they didn't disappoint. From the pantry run, where Bec forgot a key ingredient, to malfunctioning kitchen appliances and much more, their cookbook, Share, had us all experiencing the culinary chaos that makes judge Josh cringe, but despite the disorder their food had flavour and with a second task looming the couple had a chance to claw their way back.
The Restaurant challenge required our top three teams to present a main and a dessert that was reflective of their restaurant, it's theme, philosophy and location.
Karena and Kasey, though still in control, didn't seem as firmly focused as usual, but it didn't show in their food. Their take on Surf and Turf and a bread and butter pudding, seemed about as humble as the girl's themselves. The judges described their food as "so good, it's unbelievable" and "the cooking of angels". With the heavenly score of 10 the pink princesses again took poll position on the culinary cloud, where they appear to be very comfortable.
Nikki and Jordan's return to form saw them put out some pretty amazing fare that also impressed the judges. There was no confusion or second guessing. They set about their task and served it with a side of confidence and even a single tear from Jordan.
Jamie and Bec, needing redemption, looked like they were cooking up a storm. The cold air was escaping from blast chillers being left open repeatedly and the tsunami saw cooking appliances washing up on the floor. The near destruction on the benches, however, did nothing to dampen the flavour of the food and Jamie's "perfect" dessert became the life raft that would carry the couple to the safety of the shore.
So close were the final two duos, they couldn't be separated and the much anticipated elimination was itself eliminated in favour of another challenge .. next week.
And now we wait ... it will be interesting to see just what it takes to separate these teams, well, two of them anyway .. talk about eggshells.