Ep 16. Mystery Box: Nigella Lawson

The eighth season of MasterChef Australia premiered on May 1, 2016, and ran for 63 episodes until the finale on July 26, 2016. The sixteenth episode of the season is titled "Mystery Box: Nigella Lawson" and aired on June 6, 2016.

In this episode, the contestants are faced with a mystery box challenge led by the renowned chef, cookbook author, and television personality, Nigella Lawson. The contestants are excited to meet the guest judge, who is known for her innovative cooking techniques and flavor combinations.

As the contestants open their mystery boxes, they find an array of fresh and seasonal ingredients such as asparagus, fennel, quail, lamb, and figs. With an hour on the clock, the contestants are tasked with creating a dish that showcases the ingredients in a unique and creative way.

As the contestants work on their dishes, Nigella offers her insights and tips on how to elevate the flavors and presentation of their dishes. She urges the contestants to be meticulous in their execution and to think outside the box when it comes to combining the ingredients.

The judges, Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris, and Matt Preston, taste each of the dishes and provide feedback to the contestants. Some dishes stand out, such as a succulent quail dish with a fennel and asparagus salad and a flavorful lamb and fig dish with a beetroot puree. But other dishes fall short, with the flavors not quite hitting the mark or the presentation not being up to par.

After the contestants present their dishes, the judges deliberate on who will win the challenge and who will face elimination. They are impressed with the creativity and technical skill of many of the dishes, but ultimately, there can only be one winner.

The winner of the mystery box challenge receives a significant advantage in the upcoming invention test, while the bottom performers face elimination. The stakes are high, and the contestants are determined to give it their all in order to stay in the competition and become the next MasterChef Australia.

Overall, this episode of MasterChef Australia is a thrilling and intense competition that showcases the talent and creativity of the contestants, as well as the expertise and insight of Nigella Lawson. With a surprise ingredient box and high-stakes challenges, this episode is a must-watch for fans of cooking competitions and culinary creativity.