Ep 10. Kids Week Day 1: Lunch Box

MasterChef Australia season 5 episode 10 is titled "Kids Week Day 1: Lunch Box", and as the name suggests, it is the start of Kids Week, a highly anticipated segment of the show. It kicks off with the contestants preparing meals for children's lunch boxes. The pressure is on as the judges are looking for meals that are not only nutritious and delicious but also visually appealing.

The episode begins with the contestants stepping into the kitchen to find that the pantry has been replaced with a lunchbox filled with a range of ingredients that they can use to create their meal. The lunchbox presents an interesting challenge for the contestants as they must think creatively and strategically to come up with a healthy and tasty meal that will appeal to children.

The judges, George Calombaris, Matt Preston, and Gary Mehigan, give the contestants an hour to prepare their meals, and it's chaos in the kitchen as everyone scrambles to get their dishes done on time. Some contestants decide to go for the classics, such as sandwiches, while others opt for more unconventional options like salads and wraps.

Once the cooking time is up, the judges gather to taste each of the dishes. They're impressed by the level of creativity and innovation that the contestants have shown, but they also point out areas where they could've improved. The judges give constructive criticism, and some contestants receive high praise while others are told that their dishes lack the wow factor.

After the tasting, the judges deliberate and announce the top two dishes. These contestants will be allocated a "pick of the crop", which means that they get to choose their team members for the next challenge. The bottom four contestants are then placed in an elimination challenge, where one of them will be sent home.

The elimination challenge is a difficult one. The contestants must cook a gourmet dish using only five ingredients, with the catch that one of these ingredients must be a "superfood". The contestants have 45 minutes to come up with a dish that will impress the judges and save them from elimination.

As the contestants begin cooking, the tension in the kitchen is palpable. Each of them is determined not to be the one sent home. Some contestants opt for simple dishes that allow the superfood to shine, while others go all out, using their remaining ingredients to create complex and flavorful meals.

After the cooking time is up, the judges gather to taste each of the dishes. They're impressed by the level of skill that the contestants have shown, but they also note that some of the dishes lack the finesse that one would expect from a MasterChef contestant.

In the end, it's up to the judges to decide who will stay and who will be sent home. The tension in the room is thick as they deliberate, and the eliminated contestant is left in tears. The remaining contestants, however, are relieved to have made it through another tough challenge and are ready for whatever the competition throws their way next.

Overall, MasterChef Australia season 5 episode 10 is an exciting and intense start to Kids Week, with challenging tasks and emotional eliminations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. It's a testament to the level of talent and dedication among the contestants, who continue to impress with their culinary skills and creativity.