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Had I been paying for my two-course MasterChef NZ TV dinner this week, I certainly wouldn't have tipped ... and I am wondering why I didn't send the second course back. Something in the dish was "off".
The first course, though, looked promising, with George Calombaris, from MasterChef Australia, stepping in as guest judge and setting the first challenge.
Our six duos were given just 90 minutes to recreate his veal plate, which looked simple enough but was made far more complex thanks to a combination of tricky techniques and textures.
The boys, Glyn and James, seemed in control and organised from start to finish, while others like Shelley and Trudie, seemed to lack energy and focus.
The attitudes of both duos, it seems, were reflected in their food, the boys getting much deserved kudos, finally, for their plating as well as impressing with flavour.
The judges were less impressed with Shelley and Trudie, however, calling their food "dull". I'd go a little further and say it paired perfectly with their personalities - they just don't seem to have fun and the only thing fouler than their mouths is the way they blame each other so publicly for any mistakes made. Instead of having a crack at each other, they should try cracking a smile from time to time. I just can't seem to warm to them - too crass and critical for my liking..
Overall though, the couples impressed. Every plate had its faults but these were generally outweighed by the positives. Going by the judges' comments, I would say Glyn and James took top spot followed by Bec and Jamie but, as if looking for an excuse to have yet another cook-off (yawn), contestants were told it was too close to call. I thought their comments made it as clear as a good consumme, but I guess they think it adds drama.
With no elimination and the promise of passports and great prizes, our second course gave all six duos a second chance to impress with the classic Burger and Chips Challenge. They had 30 minutes and an open pantry.
Jamie and Bec and Nikki and Jordan both opted for fish burgers. Judges' comments this time suggested to me that Jamie and Bec's version had the wow factor they were looking for. The boys impressed yet again with a hearty Mexican burger as well as best chips of the day, while Verena and Tanisha served up a tasty Indian spice burger and Kasey and Karena and Shelley and Trudie slugged it out for slider of the day - the latter pair taking the honours thanks to the creative use of crackling.
In true politically correct style, everyone got a prize but only the top two couples would be flying to Melbourne to claim theirs. Based on both challenges and the all-important judges' comments, I felt that Glyn and James would be winners along with Bec and Jamie, so I was incredibly disappointed and a little startled when it was announced that Shelly and Trudie would be accompanying the boys across the ditch when their first dish was ranked as dull as dishwater ... or, in this case, ditchwater .
Like I said, something is "off ". I just hope I get my appetite back before Sunday.