Ep 41. Ultimate Instant Restaurant 1: Paul & Blaire (QLD)

In season 5, episode 41 of My Kitchen Rules, viewers are introduced to Ultimate Instant Restaurant 1, hosted by Paul and Blaire from Queensland. This episode marks a shift from the traditional cooking challenge format, where teams cook for judges and their fellow contestants, to a high-pressure instant restaurant challenge.

Eight instant restaurants will be hosted across Australia, with each team serving a three-course meal to 12 strangers. The strangers will rate each course out of 10, and the team with the lowest score will be sent to the sudden death cook-off.

Paul and Blaire are the first couple to open their doors, and they are feeling nervous. They have spent the day prepping and cooking in their stylish open-plan kitchen, and now it's time to see if all their hard work will pay off.

As the guests arrive, they are greeted with a warm welcome and a refreshing cocktail. Paul and Blaire have gone all out with their table settings, opting for sleek, modern decor that reflects their sophisticated taste.

For entree, the couple serves up seared scallops with a spicy chorizo and apple salsa. The dish is beautifully presented and receives high praise from the diners for its bold flavours and perfect execution.

Next up is the main course - roasted pork belly with creamy mashed potatoes and a tangy apple and fennel slaw. The pork is cooked to perfection, with a crispy crackling that adds a satisfying crunch to every bite. However, the mashed potatoes are a little lumpy, and some guests comment that they could have done with a touch more seasoning.

Finally, it's time for dessert. Paul and Blaire have opted for a classic, crowd-pleasing favourite - sticky date pudding with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream. The pudding is soft and moist, with just the right amount of sweetness. The caramel sauce is rich and buttery, and the ice cream adds a refreshing contrast to the warm, comforting pudding.

Overall, Paul and Blaire's instant restaurant is a success. They receive high scores from most of the guests, and the judges praise their creativity and attention to detail. However, there are a few areas where they could have improved, such as seasoning the potatoes and making sure the presentation of each dish is consistent.

With seven more instant restaurants to go, the pressure is on for the other teams to impress the judges and avoid the sudden death cook-off. Will they be able to rise to the challenge and cook a meal that scores top marks from the discerning diners? Tune in to find out.