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.
