Monday 8 September
We’re in Adelaide where boss friends Maria and Bailey aim for the top spot with their modern take on Greek cuisine.
Tuesday 9 September
The competition continues in Logan, Queensland, where best buds Lol and Lil are out to prove the other teams should underestimate them at their peril.
The final instant restaurant for this group (Mel and Jacinta) will be shown on Monday, 15 September.
Meat-master Michael sets tongues wagging and leaves guests gagging
Tonight on MKR, Queensland’s opinionated couple, Michael and Rielli, took centre stage, hosting their Instant Restaurant, Perfect Pair. With high expectations and simmering rivalries, their attempt to serve a faultless menu didn’t go to plan.
Their entrée was undercooked, and the main dish – featuring beef tongue – was so divisive that despite a redeeming dessert, Michael and Rielli landed last on the leaderboard with a total score of 65 out of 110.
The ambitious menu featured a Beetroot and Feta Cheesecake entrée, Buttered Beef Tongue main, and Raspberry Gel and Chocolate Mousse Domes for dessert.
Rielli, a self-confessed perfectionist, was determined to deliver a flawless experience, admitting: “I’ve always struggled with perfectionism. I don’t want to be average.”
Michael’s bold personality had already ruffled feathers, and the couple knew they were being watched closely. *“*We are here to win,” Michael declared, with Rielli echoing: “We are going to win.”
The entrée set a shaky tone for the night. Rielli was visibly upset by early mistakes, and despite the “gorgeous” presentation, Manu felt the feta overwhelmed the beetroot and the base was “a little too thick,” scoring it six.
Colin described it as “halfway there,” praising the onion jam as the standout but noting the beetroot lacked impact, scoring it five.
The Buttered Beef Tongue was a bold and risky choice, and the thought of eating a cow’s tongue left some guests gagging, with Lol particularly struggling with the texture.
Despite Meat-master Michael’s confident declaration, “It’s going to be perfect,” Rielli noticed early on that the tongue was overcooked, prompting them to prepare a second batch. The revised version was deemed “perfect” by Rielli, and Michael felt he had delivered.
However, the reception at the table was far from perfect. While the tongue was the focal point, the rest of the dish fell flat, ultimately costing the couple valuable points.
Manu praised the cooking of the tongue itself, calling it “spot on,” but was disappointed by the lack of sauce and seasoning, scoring the *“*very disappointing” dish a three. Colin echoed the sentiment, scoring the dish a four.
Around the table, tensions boiled over. Mel and Jacinta reignited conflict by recounting the previous night’s butter knife incident, prompting Maria and Bailey to defend Michael and Rielli.
Of Mel and Jacinta, Bailey noted: “They do give it just as much as they get it. I think they are being a little sensitive.”
As dessert was served, the emotional and strategic layers of the evening were laid bare.
Jacinta let slip that she may be strategically scoring before quickly attempting to clarify: “Well, no, I’m not going to be. Is anybody going to be strategic?”
Rielli, who prides herself on her baking, redeemed their team with a dessert Manu declared “you could sell in a French pastry shop, it was that beautiful”, earning a 10 from Colin and a nine from Manu.
| Judges’ Scores | Entrée | Main | Dessert | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manu Feildel | 6/10 | 3/10 | 10/10 | 19/30 |
| Colin Fassnidge | 5/10 | 4/10 | 9/10 | 18/30 |
| Total Score | 37/60 |
MKR Team Scores
Justin and Will 6/10
Lol and Lil 5/10
Maria and Bailey 7/10
Anne and Maree 6/10
Mel and Jacinta 4/10
Total Score 28/50
Monday on MKR: South Australia’s boss friends serve up fine dining experience, but will one forgotten ingredient send them crashing to the bottom of the leaderboard?
Maria and Bailey’s Instant Restaurant soars and stumbles
Tonight on MKR, boss friends Maria and Bailey had their eyes on the prize at their Adelaide Instant Restaurant, Medusa*.* Despite an almost perfect entrée, a forgotten ingredient in their main dish brought the duo undone.
They received a total score of 68 out of 110, placing them second last on the leaderboard (ahead of Michael and Rielli), with only two more Instant Restaurants to go.
Their fine dining, Mediterranean-inspired menu featured Spanakopita Raviolo with Feta Crème, Crispy Leek and Dill Oil for entrée, Murray Cod with Citrus Beurre Blanc and Charred Leek for main, and a dessert of Greek Yoghurt Panna Cotta with Citrus, Thyme and Honey Gel, accompanied by Pasteli.
The visually stunning entrée impressed the judges, despite a kitchen mishap: the pasta was so thin it began to split, leaving no spares to taste.
Manu called the dish “absolutely delicious,” praising its “technique, flavour and textures - tick, tick, tick,” and scored it a 10. Colin praised the perfectly cooked pasta and scored the dish a nine.
Confidence was high in the kitchen, but things unravelled with the main course. Bailey forgot to add white wine to the sauce, resulting in a thick, unbalanced dish.
Manu’s fish was overcooked, earning a four, and while Colin’s fish was cooked well, the sauce was “way off” scoring it a five.
Bailey described their main scores as “humiliating and embarrassing,” while Maria admitted: “We don’t accept failure, and we did fail.”
With their confidence shaken, the duo hoped dessert would redeem them.
The citrus panna cotta showed promise, but the biscuit was too thick and the citrus overwhelmed the delicate base.
Manu enjoyed the panna cotta but said the textures clashed, scoring it a five, while Colin found the combination “odd and jarring,” scoring it a six.
Though not a total flop, the dessert wasn’t enough to erase the earlier missteps, leaving Maria and Bailey’s fine dining ambitions hanging in the balance.
| Judges’ Scores | Entrée | Main | Dessert | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manu Feildel | 10/10 | 4/10 | 5/10 | /30 |
| Colin Fassnidge | 9/10 | 5/10 | 6/10 | /30 |
| Total Score | 39/60 |
MKR Team Scores
Justin and Will 6/10
Lol and Lil 6/10
Michael and Rielli 6/10
Anne and Maree 6/10
Mel and Jacinta 5/10
Total Score 29/50
Leaderboard
Justin and Will 79
Anne and Maree 78
Maria and Bailey 68
Michael and Rielli 65
*Lol and Lil and Mel and Jacinta yet to cook
Tuesday night: MKR heads back to Queensland as besties Lol and Lil, the youngest team in the competition, look to make their mark.
Lol and Lil serve bold flavours, but dinner drama and a table walk-out steal the spotlight
Tonight on MKR, best friends Lol and Lil set out to make their mark, determined to prove that their youth and inexperience should not be underestimated.
Their Instant Restaurant – Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice – delivered bold and flavourful dishes, though not without technical missteps. The life-long besties earned a total score of 64 out of 110, landing at the bottom of the leaderboard by just one point.
Their menu featured Grilled Prawn and Mango Tortilla Bites for entrée, a hearty Chicken and Leek Pot Pie for main, and a Lemon Meringue Pie for dessert.
Meanwhile, Meat-master Michael set his sights on the Queensland town again, saying: “I would never come to Logan unless it was for a very, very, very good reason…all I know is you have a meat pie and a pack of durries.”
The entrée impressed with its punchy flavours, particularly appreciated by Colin, who scored the dish a six. Manu, however, noted that the prawns were slightly overcooked and the salsa had lost its texture, scoring it a five.
The main course drew mixed reactions: while the pie filling was praised for its delicious flavour and moist chicken, the burnt pastry and overly sweet peach salad detracted from the dish. Manu felt a puff pastry would have elevated it, and both judges scored the dish a six.
Dessert was the standout, both visually and emotionally resonant, with a modern twist on a much-loved recipe from Lol’s late grandmother.
Manu and Colin, alongside the other teams, admired the restaurant-quality presentation and vibrant lemon curd. However, both judges scored the dessert a seven and noted the biscuit could have been thinner.
Around the table, Mel and Jacinta’s plotted to avoid drama and keep a low profile given they are next to cook. It did not go to plan.
Mel, visibly upset, left the table mid-dinner following a tense exchange with Maria and Bailey over past business claims and alleged strategic scoring. Accusations flew, with Bailey calling out Mel and Jacinta’s “temper tantrums” and Maria slamming their “victim mentality”.
Meanwhile, Michael didn’t hold back, branding the menu “easy” and “average” and declaring the main course boring.
Reflecting on their scores, Lil admitted she was “a bit disappointed, to be honest,” while Lol remained optimistic, sharing: “We’re still in the competition, so we can’t lose hope.”
With only Mel and Jacinta left to cook in this round, Lol and Lil are facing potential elimination from MKR.
| Judges’ Scores | Entrée | Main | Dessert | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manu Feildel | 5/10 | 6/10 | 7/10 | 18/30 |
| Colin Fassnidge | 6/10 | 6/10 | 7/10 | 19/30 |
| Total Score | 64/60 |
MKR Team Scores
Justin and Will 6/10
Michael and Rielli 5/10
Maria and Bailey 5/10
Anne and Maree 5/10
Mel and Jacinta 6/10
Total Score 27/50
Leaderboard
Justin and Will 79
Anne and Maree 78
Maria and Bailey 68
Michael and Rielli 65
Lol and Lil 64
*Mel and Jacinta yet to cook
Monday on MKR: After five instant restaurants at the centre of controversy, feisty cousins Mel and Jacinta from Sydney will be put to the test in the kitchen. As the final instant restaurant of this round, the pressure is on. Mel and Jacinta must beat Lol and Lil’s score of 64 or be eliminated.
Continues 7.30pm Monday on Seven and 7plus
Michael / Rielli and Mel / Jacinta are probably the two most “controversial” couples, the ones I like the least anyway, was hoping they’d both be the bottom two and facing elimination, but I guess the producers want the “controversy” to continue because it’s better for ratings.
The gatecrasher round starts next Tuesday (September 16) with the first team named.
It’s time for the gatecrashers as Round 2 of the competition kicks off in Perth, with happy couple Danielle and Marko out to show they’ve got the skills in the kitchen and the passion for food.
Season 15 premieres on TVNZ 2 in New Zealand on Monday, September 22, at 7.30pm.
The Instant Restaurant you’ve all been waiting for is here
Buckle up Australia: this is the episode of MKR everyone will be talking about.
After five episodes at the centre of controversy, feisty cousins Mel and Jacinta are finally stepping into the kitchen.
There’s never been a night like this. There’s never been a meal like this.
What will MKR’s fussiest eater serve up?
As the final Instant Restaurant of this round, Mel and Jacinta face intense pressure to beat Lol and Lil’s score of 64 or risk elimination.
And if you thought round one of MKR was spicy, just wait until the Gatecrashers arrive.
Three bold new teams are here to shake up the competition.
MKR Continues 7.30pm Monday on Seven and 7plus
The Gatecrashers arrive 7.30pm Tuesday
Three new teams bring the heat as Mel and Jacinta depart
Three bold new teams have arrived to shake up MKR: Perth’s happy couple Danielle and Marko, South Australian competitive mates Mark and Tan, and Queensland divorcees Amy and Lara. With big flavours and fierce energy, they’re ready to stir the pot.
Judges Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge have travelled across the country for the first six Instant Restaurants and now they are back for another round - but this time, it’s anyone’s game.
At the conclusion of the first Instant Restaurant round, best mates Justin and Will (combined score of 79) and Greek mother and daughter Anne and Maree (combined score of 78) secured the top two spots on the leaderboard and were fast-tracked straight to Kitchen HQ.
Feisty cousins Mel and Jacinta were eliminated from the competition after landing on the bottom of the leaderboard with a combined score of 50.
The three remaining teams – boss friends Maria and Bailey (combined score of 68), opinionated couple Michael and Rielli (combined score of 65) and besties Lol and Lil (combined score of 64) – are hitting the road for a second round of Instant Restaurants.
Will the newcomers impress, or will the original teams hold their ground? One thing’s for sure: the kitchen’s about to get a whole lot spicier.
Mark declared: “The OGs should definitely be intimidated.”
Marko announced: “The only thing I love more than winning is not losing.”
Lara said: “We’re here to crash the party. We like to cook; we like to have fun.”
Meat-master Michael fired back: **“**These Gatecrashers have got no idea what they’re in for and they need to be put in their place.”
MKR Continues 7.30pm Tuesday on Seven
If you want to follow the gatecrasher teams on Instagram, here are the links.
(amylaraonlypans is the Instagram account of the team. Amy’s own Instagram account is called amysacook)
I’m not a fan of the Gatecrashers concept.
Seems unfair to the other contestants that the newbies get a walk up start to what is effectively Round 2 in the competition.
I agree. It was better when they did two separate rounds and then the winners from both faced each other.
Lovebirds top the MKR leaderboard while rivalries emerge
Tonight, round two of MKR kicked off with a bang as Gatecrasher team Danielle and Marko – a loved-up couple from Western Australia – set the benchmark with a score of 84 out of 110: the highest in the competition so far.
Despite some early doubts about their confidence, Danielle and Marko rose to the challenge, determined to prove that fun and competitiveness can co-exist.
Joining them were the fellow Gatecrasher teams: South Australian best mates Mark and Tan, and Queensland divorcees Amy and Lara, who entered the competition with bold energy and their eyes firmly on the prize.
Three original teams hungry for redemption were also at the table: Queensland’s opinionated couple Michael and Rielli, besties Lol and Lil, and boss friends from South Australia Maria and Bailey.
Tensions flared immediately as new rivalries emerged and strategies clashed. Meat-master Michael warned the newcomers not to get too comfortable.
Back in the kitchen, Danielle and Marko’s entrée of Spicy Ahi Tuna on Crispy Rice was a strong start. Colin scored a seven, wanting more heat and flavour, noting they focused too much on presentation. Manu gave it an eight, praising the rice as a great vessel but echoed the need for bolder seasoning.
The main dish of Slow Roasted Pork Belly with Soy and Ginger Noodles was a standout of the night, and the competition so far. Marko’s unique yet tried-and-tested method for crackling did not disappoint.
Colin scored the dish an eight, calling the pork “beautiful and succulent,” praising the perfect crackling. Manu loved the “very exciting flavours,” calling it the tastiest dish he’s had in the competition, though he noted the noodles were slightly overcooked it still earned a nine.
Dessert, a Miso Brownie with Sesame Ice Cream and Miso Caramel Sauce, scored a nine from both judges. Manu loved the sauce, declaring, “I could eat that all night,” while Colin called it “an excellent finish.”
Drama escalated around the table as Amy and Lara, mysterious and evasive, refused to reveal their cooking experience, frustrating the OGs. Amy admitted she’d cooked for billionaires but wasn’t about to share that with the group.
Meanwhile, Mark and Tan faced scrutiny over Tan’s culinary credentials. Michael questioned whether Tan, who manages multiple bars and restaurants, had ever worked in a kitchen.
Mark clarified Tan’s background, but tensions rose as Mark answered for him, prompting Michael to ask if Tan was a puppet.
Maria, also under fire for her cookie business, emphatically pointed out she’s a home baker.
With Danielle and Marko out to prove love can score in the kitchen, do the other teams have what it takes to knock them off the top of the leaderboard?
| Judges’ Scores | Entrée | Main | Dessert | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manu Feildel | 8/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 26/30 |
| Colin Fassnidge | 7/10 | 8/10 | 9/10 | 24/30 |
| Total Score | 50/60 |
MKR Team Scores
Mark and Tan 7/10
Michael and Rielli 6/10
Maria and Bailey 7/10
Amy and Lara 8/10
Lol and Lil 6/10
Total Score 34/50
Tuesday on MKR: The competition returns to Adelaide, where boss friends Maria and Bailey get a second chance, but with a jam-packed menu, will they come unstuck again?
MKR Continues 7.30pm Tuesday on Seven and 7plus
Wednesday 24 September
Competitive mates Mark and Tan are aiming to make MKR history with a record breaking score tonight, but is their confidence misguided?
Back to back instant restaurants in Adelaide.
Update: the promo says it is at this instant restaurant where Michael interrupted Manu’s critique and scoring.
The final three instant restaurants of round 2 would all be in South East Queensland.
Monday 29 September
The competition returns to Logan, Queensland, where besties Lol and Lil are hoping for redemption as they aim to beat their previous low score.
Tuesday 30 September
“Meat Master” Michael and partner Rielli are aiming for redemption with a bold French inspired menu and want to beat Mark and Tan’s score to avoid doing the dreaded shoey out of Manu’s boot.
Amy and Lara would host the last instant restaurant to air on 6 October (date TBC). The team with the lowest score would be eliminated.
I heard one contestant in last night’s (Tuesday’s) episode refer to the previous instant restaurant as “last night”, though Seven didn’t air an episode on Monday night. Only minor detail of course.
It’s possible in theory that the instant restaurants in Perth and Adelaide were shot in consecutive days, with the teams and judges catching the first flight from Perth to Adelaide, before Maria and Bailey arrived at their townhouse and set up the instant restaurant.
