Ep 1. The Top 22

The Top 22 episode of MasterChef Australia season 5 marks the beginning of a brand new culinary adventure as the best home cooks from all over the country come together to battle it out for the ultimate title of Australia's MasterChef. The judges, Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan, and George Calombaris, are back and set to put the new contestants through their paces, testing their skills, creativity, and passion for cooking.

The episode starts with a grand entrance of the Top 22 contestants who have been handpicked from hundreds of applicants. The first challenge tests their speed and precision as they have to cook their signature dish in 60 minutes. The contestants have to present their best foot forward to impress the judges as one of them will be sent home at the end of the challenge. The pressure is on as the contestants showcase their diverse cooking styles and flavors, ranging from traditional Italian and Chinese to fusion dishes that reflect their cultural heritage.

The judges taste each dish, scrutinizing the taste, texture, and presentation, before announcing the top three dishes of the day. The top three contestants enter the immunity challenge where the others will be safe from elimination for the rest of the week. In the immunity challenge, they have to cook a dish that reflects the theme of "memory" and create a dish that is close to their hearts. The contestants must create an emotional connection through their food, drawing on their personal experiences and memories.

The contestants rise to the challenge, showcasing their range of skills and flavors, taking the judges on a journey down memory lane. The judges taste each dish, relishing the flavors, and trying to catch a glimpse of the contestants' lives through their food. The winner of the immunity challenge gets an advantage in the next elimination challenge, where another contestant will be sent home.

The final challenge of the day is the elimination challenge, where the remaining contestants have to cook a dish that is inspired by a dish from one of the judges' cookbooks. The contestants are given a copy of the cookbook and have to choose a recipe that they can recreate within the given time. The challenge demands precision, time management, and creativity as the contestants try to put their twist on the classic dishes. As the cooking time ends, the judges taste each dish, offering their feedback, and selecting the best dishes of the day.

The episode ends with the elimination where one of the contestants fails to impress the judges and has to leave the competition. The competition is set to become more intense, with the remaining contestants vying for the title of Australia's MasterChef. The Top 22 episode sets the tone for the rest of the season, giving the audience a glimpse of the talent pool, the range of cuisines, and the high stakes of the competition. MasterChef Australia season 5 promises to be an exciting, emotional, and inspiring journey for the contestants and the audience alike.