Coming up next week
Monday 13 October
Two OG teams face off in an epic banquet challenge in the first elimination at Kitchen Headquarters.
Tuesday 14 October
The top six teams face off in Kitchen HQ with their toughest pick-a-fridge yet and two teams are sent to the elimination cook off.
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Lol & Lil and Anne & Maree would be competing in this season’s first elimination cook-off on Monday, having created the weakest main and dessert respectively.
Danielle & Marko, who posted the highest score out of two rounds of instant restaurants, were given the bye from the first pick-a-fridge challenge.
I notice the countdown clock above the pantry at Kitchen HQ had a sponsor’s logo as well.
Michael didn’t appear at the filming of tonight’s elimination cook off, but Rielli was there.
For the first time, the teams safe from previous challenge would score the dishes, alongside the judges.
Two points end MKR dream
Greek duo Anne and Maree bow out in emotional farewell
It was an emotional night in Kitchen HQ as two of MKR’s most loved teams: Greek mum and daughter Anne and Maree and besties Lol and Lil went head-to-head in a high-pressure elimination challenge.
With just three hours to serve a two-course banquet, Anne and Maree were eliminated in a close contest, scoring 19 out of 30, while Lol and Lil edged ahead with 21.
With the stakes higher than ever, it wasn’t just judges Manu and Colin deciding their fate. Their fellow teams – who were safe from elimination – also tasted and scored the dishes, making it one of the most intense episodes of MKR yet.
For their main dish, Anne and Maree leaned into their Greek heritage, serving a traditional feast of Lamb shoulder, Lemon potatoes, Dolmades, Greek salad and Tzatziki.
Manu praised the authenticity of the flavours: “You took us to Greece.” Others noted inconsistencies in the meat and a lack of harmony across the plate.
Lol and Lil, determined to prove themselves, served a classic Sunday roast featuring Roast Chicken, Vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, and gravy.
Their perfectly cooked chicken and rich, comforting flavours won over both the judges and their fellow contestants. Colin said their main was: “One of those dishes when you eat it, you smile.”
For dessert, Anne and Maree attempted a traditional Greek Ekmek Kataifi, spinning their own pastry from scratch. Colin called it “moorish”, while Manu noted the base was “a little too thick and not crispy”.
Lol and Lil attempted a technically ambitious dessert: Profiterole tower. The dish proved risky, with some profiteroles lacking filling and inconsistent sizing.
Colin described it as “a half-half for me”. Manu acknowledged their effort: “The amount of work you put in today was crazy.”
When it came time to score, both teams received an average of 7 from their fellow contestants, but the judges’ scores tipped the balance.
On their elimination, Maree said: “I never thought I’d get here, to be honest. I’m so proud.”
Emotional, Anne said to her daughter: “Thank you for doing this with me, allowing me to live out my dream.”
Maree concluded: “We are going to go home with our heads held high. The fact that we even got chosen to do this – we are winners.”
Lol and Lil were overwhelmed with emotion. “This means so much to us to stay in the competition. We are grateful,” Lol said through tears.
Tuesday on MKR: The top scorers from round two, Danielle and Marko, are cooking in kitchen HQ for the first time as one team attempts the most infamous dish in MKR’s history.
MKR Continues 7.30pm Tuesday on Seven and 7plus
Maria talks about the most infamous dish in an interview with TV Week (spoilers)
Supercharged week of MKR
Is meat-master Michael about to face the music?
MKR’s unmissable supercharged week starts Monday 7.30pm on Seven and 7plus.
Throughout MKR history, some of the most controversial teams have been forced to eat their words in some of the most spectacular falls reality TV has ever seen.
From Sophia to The Spice Girls, The Seafood King and even Doctor Evil, outspoken contestants have often struggled to back up their bravado in the kitchen.
Now, it’s Queensland’s Michael – the self-proclaimed meat-master – who’s about to face the music.
Western Australian sweethearts Danielle and Marko take on Queensland’s opinionated duo Michael and Rielli in the most nail-biting elimination cook-off of the season so far.
In a jaw-dropping moment in Kitchen HQ, Michael’s prized meat hits the floor. Five-second rule, anyone?
Will this be MKR’s greatest fall yet, or can Danielle and Marko beat the meat-master at his own game?
Will Michael’s unshakeable confidence “to prove that the meat master reigns supreme in this kitchen” finally come undone?
With everything on the line, both teams are feeling the heat.
Reilli admits: “The elimination cook-off is so much pressure. I feel like teams would love to see our downfalls. If anything, this has motivated me more.”
Marko countered: “I think Michael and Rielli have shown glimpses of being really fierce competitors, but they’ve also shown cracks in their foundation, so we are looking to exploit that.”
Michael said: “I’m not intimidated at all. I think Danielle and Marko had one flukey cook and we saw their true colours during the last cook-off.”
“We came here to win and we are not ready to go home,” added Danielle.
With reputations on the line and emotions running high, only one team will make it through to the super dinner parties.
Super dinner parties aka ultimate instant restaurants start the following night (Tuesday October 21).
Joining the MKR Villains Hall of Fame (or is it Infamy?). 
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Meat-master and pastry queen dethroned
MKR cook-off ends in nail-biting one-point elimination
Tonight, MKR’s most controversial team – Michael and Rielli – were eliminated in a nail-biting cook-off that came down to a single point.
The opinionated couple battled it out against Danielle and Marko in a banquet-style challenge, landing a final score of 21 against Danielle and Marko’s 22.
The pressure was intense as they competed with mains and desserts designed to impress not only judges Manu and Colin, but also the remaining safe teams.
Michael entered the kitchen with confidence, declaring he was “not intimidated” but things quickly spiralled.
Their ambitious pork banquet – Pulled Pork, Baby Back Ribs, Apple Slaw, and Rielli’s signature bread rolls – was hit by a series of setbacks.
Michael placed two kilos of pork into the pressure cooker without cutting it, costing valuable time. A switch to avocado oil in the slaw added to the chaos as they fought to deliver the promised banquet.
The ribs – a tribute to Michael’s father – proved difficult when the sauce wasn’t right and in a heart-stopping moment, Michael dropped a tray of ribs on the floor as he got them out of the oven.
Despite the drama, Michael stood proud of their final dish.
Danielle and Marko took a more refined approach, plating Eye fillet with Chimichurri, Peppercorn sauce, Duck Fat Potatoes, Mushrooms and Spinach.
The steaks didn’t sear properly as Marko admitted he’d never felt so panicked, but they managed to serve medium-rare beef and breathed a sigh of relief.
Feedback on mains was mixed. Danielle and Marko’s steak earned praise for flavour and sauces, though some found it under-seasoned.
Michael and Rielli’s ribs were loved by some, but others found them overly sweet and lacking balance.
Meat-master’s main rival, Mark, didn’t hold back: “We probably want the meat master to go home. I think his time’s up.”
With dessert looming, Manu announced Danielle and Marko were slightly ahead.
Dessert queen Rielli prepared Crème Brûlée Doughnuts. The technical elements proved challenging as the first batch browned too much, the toffee lacked depth, and the doughnuts were too hot to fill.
Rielli broke down in tears, fearing the worst. Michael comforted her, as they pushed through to the finish line in time together.
Danielle and Marko played it safe with a Banoffee Pie, banking on flavour over flair. Danielle said: “It may be a little bit simpler than Michael and Rielli’s, but the flavour is 200% there.”
Dessert feedback was again divided. Rielli’s doughnuts were praised for flavour and filling, but some found the toffee too hard or the custard lacking.
Danielle and Marko’s pie was seen as a safe but satisfying crowd-pleaser.
In the end, their fellow contestants – Justin and Will, Maria and Bailey, Lol and Lil, and Mark and Tan – gave both couples an average score of seven.
It was Manu and Colin’s scores that tipped the balance, as Danielle and Marko edged ahead with a total of 22 points, while Michael and Rielli fell just short with 21.
Manu praised both couples for their effort, to Michael and Rielli, he added: “What a team, you will always be remembered, there’s no doubt about that!”
Putting the meat-master ego aside, Michael and Rielli congratulated Danielle and Marko as an emotional Rielli reflected: “I cannot believe the MKR journey is over. So ridiculously close, but absolutely no regrets.”
Tuesday the super dinner parties are here! MKR adds more heat than ever as the remaining five teams head back around the country for the Ultimate Instant Restaurants challenge with two entrees, two mains, and a brand-new twist.
MKR Continues 7.30pm Tuesday on Seven
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The ultimate instant restaurants begin tonight with Justin and Will in Sydney, followed by Lol and Lil next Monday and Danielle and Marko next Tuesday.
EDIT:
The twist was that it would be open critiquing and open scoring at each ultimate instant restaurant.
Global flavours earn perfect 10s
Justin and Will supercharged their scores as fellow teams’ strategic gameplay shocks
Tonight, MKR’s supercharged week continued with the first Ultimate Instant Restaurant scoring an impressive 75 out of 100, securing Justin and Will’s place as serious contenders in the competition.
The best mates celebrated heritage, ambition and bold flavours, earning two 10s from Manu.
With a menu that spanned continents, from Cape Malay spices to Parisian patisserie, Justin and Will rose to the epic challenge of preparing two entrees, two mains and two desserts.
Strategic gameplay was evident at the dinner table, as Maria and Bailey chose dishes they thought might trip up Justin and Will.
Maria and Bailey admitted to being “hyper-critical”, hoping to expose weaknesses, but the judges’ scores told a different story.
Manu awarded Justin and Will a perfect 10 for both the main and dessert, while Colin gave solid marks across the board.
Tensions rose as the open scoring twist meant all teams revealed their score and feedback to the whole table, including Justin and Will.
Their entrée set the tone with Cape Malay Beef Samosas with Tomato and Chilli Chutney and Kingfish Crudo with Black Caviar. Colin praised the samosas scoring the dish a seven. He noted “a few tweaks could elevate them from good to great”.
Manu scored his Kingfish entrée a six, remarking, “It was missing something. A good dish, but I expected more.”
The mains: Dong Po Rou with Asian Greens and Rice, a rich pork dish, and Ouma’s Seafood Hotpot, a treasured family recipe, were standouts.
Justin became emotional after Manu scored the seafood hotpot a 10.
Manu praised: “It was the ugliest dish you’ve ever served, but also one of the most delicious. The depth of flavour is hard to describe. You’ve honoured your family, and I’m honoured to be here tonight.”
Colin commended the Dong Po Rou, scoring an eight.
The dessert of Paris-Brest with Pistachio Crème initially faltered, collapsing in the oven, but a second batch wowed the judges. Manu declared it: “a big surprise – such a dainty little number,” awarding another perfect 10.
Colin, who judged the New York Cheesecake, appreciated the texture but wanted “a little more sparkle”, scoring it a five.
Teams scores:
Danielle and Marko: 9
Mark and Tan: 8
Lol and Lil: 6
Maria and Bailey: 6
Monday on MKR: The next Ultimate Instant Restaurant explodes with more drama and more competition, including an accusation, a confession and a shock exit.
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Upfronts: Renewed for 2026.
The hit show will be back in 2026, with more talented home cooks, more instant restaurants and more incredible recipes.
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Watching my recording of Tuesday’s episode, I noticed that in this round of ultimate instant restaurant, a guest team could only pick one entree, one main and one dessert together. In previous seasons, a guest team could pick different dishes. For example, using Justin and Will’s menu, Maria could have chosen the pork while Bailey picked the seafood hotpot. Instead they both had the seafood hotpot as their main.
I thought that’s the way it always was. Each team picked one dish or the other. Manu and Colin chose different dishes so they could score them all.
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its always been this way, otherwise you couldn’t score as a team
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After their elimination from this season’s competition, Rielli revealed on Instagram on the weekend that she and Michael are now engaged. The photos and caption said Michael proposed to her at Central Park in New York on October 13, and she said yes.
Lol and Lil’s MKR rollercoaster ride
Strategic scoring confirmed in a night of extremes
Tonight on MKR, Lol and Lil’s Ultimate Instant Restaurant was a rollercoaster of highs, lows and a whole lot of drama.
Their scores ranged from a lowly two to perfect 10s, culminating in a total of 68 out of 100, leaving the besties from Logan in a precarious position despite a strong start.
Their menu promised bold flavours and technical ambition, but while the execution didn’t always live up to the promise, the Logan battlers worked hard to dismiss their detractors and prove they deserve their seat at the MKR table.
The entrées, French Onion Soup and Fried Chicken Bao Buns kicked things off with promise.
The mains – Rotisserie Chicken Gyros with Pickled Red Onions and Tzatziki and Beef Bulgogi Egg Net – faltered.
Their desserts – Chai Poached Pear with Salted Caramel and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Raspberry and Chocolate Tart with Raspberry Coulis – became a battleground for redemption.
The addition of open scoring – where other teams reveal their feedback and scores to everyone – continued to cause drama.
At the dinner table, the tension boiled over as Will confronted Maria and Bailey about their previous scoring at Justin and Will’s Ultimate Instant Restaurant.
“There were dishes that were 10s, you guys gave a six – it just seems suss,” Will said
Bailey insisted, “Nothing changed, we are super honest in the way we score.”
When Mark pushed the point about strategic scoring, Maria admitted: “Only for the last one,” referring to Amy and Lara’s Instant Restaurant, sparking a fiery exchange.
“Round two, we were on the bottom of the leaderboard and scared we were going to go home,” she explained. “So just to be certain, we are going to make it to HQ, we scored a point less. It was either them or us, so you do whatever you can to go back to Kitchen HQ. Anyone would do it.”
Will wasn’t convinced: “If something’s going to be the difference between someone going home and we lowball, we are not going to be able to sleep.”
The pressure of double dishes kicked in early as the first batch of Bao Buns deflated, forcing a redo, and concerns mounted over whether their main Rotisserie Chicken Gyros would meet Maria’s Greek expectations. The Beef Bulgogi didn’t get the attention it needed, and confidence in the kitchen waned.
Dessert prep was another test as the tart base cracked, Lil had to make a new dough from scratch, but they nailed their ice cream and had high expectations for the poached pear.
The food itself was a rollercoaster. The French Onion soup was too thick, but the flavour couldn’t be faulted. Manu scored the dish an eight, adding: “Flavour tick, only thing they haven’t delivered is enough stock, apart from that, absolutely delicious.”
Colin scored the “thoroughly delicious” Bao Buns, a 10: “I would pay for them in any restaurant.”
The mains were a letdown. Colin scored a five for the “half-half chicken dish”, advising they should have used chicken thigh with fat.
Manu was harsher on the “overcooked” beef, scoring the “sticky mess that’s not flavoursome” a two. Mark didn’t hold back either: “This is one of the worst dishes I’ve had in the competition.”
Dessert brought the ride back to a high with Manu scoring the “magical” pear a 10. Colin enjoyed the tart but found it rich and needed cream, scoring a seven.
| Judges’ Scores | Entrée | Main | Dessert | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manu Feildel | 8/10 | 2/10 | 10/10 | 20/30 |
| Colin Fassnidge | 10/10 | 5/10 | 7/10 | 22/30 |
| Total Score | 42/60 |
MKR Team Scores
Mark and Tan 6/10
Danielle and Marko 7/10
Justin and Will 7/10
Maria and Bailey 6/10
Total Score 26/50
| Scoreboard | |
| Justin and Will | 75/100 |
| Lol and Lil | 68/100 |
| Danielle and Marko | |
| Maria and Bailey | |
| Mark and Tan |
Tuesday on MKR: Table tensions boil over as Danielle and Marko set out to prove their last Instant Restaurant score was no lucky fluke.
MKR Continues 7.30pm Tuesday on Seven and 7plus
Promo for Danielle and Marko’s instant restaurant shows that Maria walked out of the dining set and onto the driveway, barefoot. I reckon it was about the issue of strategic scoring again.