It’s the start of a new week in the MasterChef kitchen and the judges reveal this week’s new theme is How To Succeed In MasterChef. Sure, it sounds a little weird at first, but give it some time. It’s a fun episode we promise.

It turns out we’re missing Brent (in case you forgot, he’s the tradie) who is currently in isolation after visiting a Covid-19 hotspot. He’ll return for next week’s pressure test, so at least he has that to look forward to.

Tonight, MasterChef is debuting a brand new team challenge. Contestants are split into three teams, with one person from each team preparing one of six items on the blackboard in the strict time limit provided.

Best night so far – clear challenge clear judging and good editing moving along well. #MasterChefAU

— Dear Jane (@austenite20) May 3, 2021

First up, mayonnaise in 8 minutes. Jock encourages teams to “play to their strengths,” and if your culinary strength is mayonnaise then maybe you need to work on some other areas.

Justin, Wynona and Eric put up their very best mayo and the judges show us a brand new way to enjoy it, by the spoonful. Justin opts for no sugar, and he’s declared mayo king for round one.

Next up, how to fillet and fry a fish in 15 minutes. The judges call Sabina the fish queen and we’re not sure she’s entirely happy with the new nickname. But it turns out to be true, and it’s another point for the purple team.

Then there’s the steak challenge and it’s too bad Minoli’s not here. As it happens, the point goes to resident saucier Pete for his steak au poivre, which must be seriously good because it beats out the beef fat jus.

Simple and classic wins the day for the pasta challenge, with Elyse unsurprisingly taking home the point for her ricotta ravioli with fresh tomato sauce. But even better than that is watching teammates Depinder and Tom celebrate the win.

That’s the first time Tom has shown emotion. And I think I might mean ever #MasterChefAU

— The Washing Up (@thewashingup) May 3, 2021

All three contestants smash the curry round, but it’s Depinder’s South Indian curry with pakora that takes home the gold.

You could say, it’s second to naan.

Tommy finds himself stuck on dessert duty, but he gives it his very best shot. After his crème anglaise fails, he decides to slap some ice cream in his tart shell instead. “Is there such a thing as an ice cream tart? Not that I know of but I could be the first of something amazing,” and give him a point for positivity we say.

Tommy serving an empty tart filled with ice cream is called INNOVATION #MasterChefAU pic.twitter.com/hsaP00RobS

— Tara Watson (@tara_watson_) May 3, 2021

In the end, it’s Tom who wins the day with a gloriously gooey sticky date pudding with bourbon butterscotch sauce, which ultimately brings home the win for the blue team.

Unfortunately, that means the purple team will go through to tomorrow night’s pressure test. 

The losers of the challenge punishment should be to watch an entire season of How To Stay Married. Ffs that looks like crap. #masterchefau

— Whiskibiznis (@TechDfgt) May 3, 2021