Ep 4. Team Challenge: Massimo Bottura

In MasterChef Australia season 7 episode 4, the top 24 contestants are in for a tough team challenge. They will be cooking for one of the world's most famous chefs, Massimo Bottura. Bottura is the owner of three-Michelin-starred Italian restaurant Osteria Francescana, which has been named the best restaurant in the world.

The contestants are divided into two teams, the blue team and the red team. They must work together to create a three-course menu inspired by Bottura's signature dishes. The challenge is held in the sprawling kitchen of Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building.

Massimo Bottura is on hand to offer guidance and advice to the contestants, but he warns them that he will be judging the dishes based on his exacting standards. The teams have just three hours to prepare and cook their dishes before they are presented to Bottura.

The blue team decides to focus on Bottura's signature dish, "Oops I Dropped the Lemon Tart." They also create a beef short rib dish and a ricotta and herb ravioli. One of the main challenges they face is timing, as they struggle to get all the components of each dish ready at the same time.

The red team, on the other hand, decides to take some risks with their menu. They create a gazpacho with a twist, featuring watermelon and a spicy kick. They also make a sea urchin risotto and a frozen olive oil and lemon dessert. They are confident in their choices, but struggle with communication and coordination in the kitchen.

As the clock ticks down, tensions begin to rise in the kitchen. The contestants feel pressure to impress Bottura, and some of them begin to falter. There are mistakes made and setbacks faced, but ultimately the teams manage to get their dishes ready in time.

Bottura tastes each dish, giving feedback and offering critiques. He praises the blue team for their precision and execution, but also notes that they played it safe with their menu. He criticizes the red team for their lack of coordination and communication, but praises them for taking risks and trying something new.

In the end, it's a close call, but one team emerges as the winner. The victorious team celebrates their win, while the losing team faces the prospect of an elimination challenge.

MasterChef Australia season 7 episode 4 is an intense and dramatic episode that showcases the talent and creativity of the contestants, as well as the high standards of the judges and guest chef. It's a must-see for fans of the show and for anyone who loves cooking and food.