Ep 11. Series 1 Episode 11

In Series 1 Episode 11 of My Kitchen Rules, the remaining teams faced off in their final instant restaurant challenge before the semi-finals. The five teams left in the competition were tasked with creating a three-course meal for fellow contestants and guest judges, celebrity chef Tobie Puttock and food critic Janne Apelgren. With such high stakes, tensions were running high as the teams prepped and cooked their meals under the strict time limit.

First up was team mates Carly and Emily, who had struggled in previous challenges but were determined to impress with their modern Australian cuisine. They started with an entree of pan-seared scallops with cauliflower puree and pomegranate dressing, followed by a main of grilled lamb cutlets with roasted vegetables and quinoa salad, and finished with a dessert of burn caramel semifreddo. The judges were impressed with their plating and use of textures, but felt some of the dishes lacked seasoning.

Next was mother-and-son duo Jill and Nic, who opted for bold flavours and hearty portions in their Italian-inspired feast. They began with an antipasti platter featuring cured meats, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes, followed by a seafood linguine with prawns, scallops, and mussels, and finished with a classic tiramisu for dessert. While the judges enjoyed the flavours and authenticity of the dishes, they felt some of the portions were too large and the tiramisu lacked balance.

Third to cook were newlyweds Josh and Andi, who had previously wowed with their Asian fusion cuisine. They started with a spicy tuna tartare with avocado and rice crackers, followed by a slow-cooked beef cheek with Asian greens and stir-fried noodles, and finished with a deconstructed cheesecake with mango coulis. The judges were impressed with their bold flavour combinations and precise cooking techniques, but felt the cheesecake was too messy and lacked finesse.

Fourth were best friends Dan and Steph, who had been consistent performers throughout the competition. They started with an entree of prawn and chorizo skewers with garlic aioli, followed by a chicken ballotine with parsnip puree and buttered green beans, and finished with a lemon tart with raspberry coulis. The judges were impressed with their technical skills and attention to detail, but felt some of the dishes lacked seasoning and the lemon tart was too tart.

Finally, siblings Jake and Elle cooked up a storm with their modern take on classic French cuisine. They started with an entree of twice-baked goat's cheese souffle with beetroot relish and rocket salad, followed by a duck confit with sweet potato gratin and green beans, and finished with a creme brulee with blueberry compote. The judges were blown away by their inventive flavours and immaculate presentation, declaring it one of the best meals of the competition so far.

After a tense deliberation, it was revealed that Jake and Elle had won the challenge, with Carly and Emily coming in last place and facing elimination. They were given a chance to redeem themselves in a sudden-death cook-off against another team, with the losing team being sent home. The pressure was on as the two teams battled it out, but ultimately Carly and Emily's dessert impressed the judges more and they were saved from elimination.

With only four teams left in the competition, the semi-finals were looming and tensions were higher than ever. Who would come out on top and make it through to the grand final? Tune in next week to find out on My Kitchen Rules!