Ep 21. Pressure Test: Darren Purchese's Peach Melba

In MasterChef Australia season 10 episode 21, the contestants face a daunting challenge in the form of a pressure test. Renowned pastry chef Darren Purchese tasks them with recreating his iconic Peach Melba dessert, which is made up of delicate elements including peach sorbet, vanilla bean custard, raspberry jelly, and almond crunch.

The contestants are given just two hours to prepare and plate up the dessert with precision and accuracy. As they frantically work in the kitchen, tensions run high as mistakes are made, and time ticks away. The judges, Gary Mehigan, Matt Preston, and George Calombaris, watch over them closely, assessing their techniques, flavors, and presentation.

Making matters more difficult, Purchese throws in a few curveballs, including an unexpected ingredient swap for the almond crunch and a difficult tempering technique for the white chocolate garnish. The contestants are pushed to their limits as they strive to impress the judges and avoid elimination.

As each contestant presents their Peach Melba, Purchese critiques their efforts, noting where they succeed and where they fall short. The judges then taste the desserts and provide detailed feedback on each aspect, from the texture of the sorbet to the balance of flavors.

In the end, some contestants flourish under pressure, executing the dessert flawlessly and garnering praise from the judges. Others struggle, presenting dishes with technical errors or flavors that don't quite hit the mark. Ultimately, one unlucky chef is sent home, while the rest move on to the next challenge, one step closer to being named Australia's next MasterChef.