Tonight’s episode of MasterChef is all about ‘getting back out there’ and ‘exploring Melbourne’ in what must be the worst timed episode in the history of television.

The MasterChef contestants take a walk across the Yarra River, pointing out landmarks in a completely natural and unscripted way. “I’m loving Melbourne!” they exclaim to each other. “Gorgeous!” “Beautiful!” “Look at that!” says Aaron, pointing to a hand rail.

Melbourne is BACK*

*editors note, it was not back#MasterChefAU

— Bethanie Blanchard (@beth_blanchard) June 9, 2021

“It’s great to be in the city, the hustle and bustle of the big smoke!” Scott announces enthusiastically. Meanwhile, a tumbleweed makes its way through the Melbourne CBD. 

“How good is it to be out and about in Melbourne?” I WOULDN’T KNOW #MasterchefAU

— Jo Farmer (@JoannaFarmer) June 9, 2021

The contestants gather on the rooftop of The Langham hotel, sponsor number two, for a Mystery Box challenge. “So look where we are! On top of the world at The Langham rooftop in the heart of Melbourne city!” says Mel. And if you’ve already reached your limit of sponsored content, you’d better switch off now.

Andy lifts the lid of the cloche to reveal a Samsung Galaxy.

The hero ingredient for today is product placement #MasterChefAU

— Caitlin (@caitiejayne) June 9, 2021

Andy explains the contestants will have one hour to learn how to unlock the phones. Once they’ve completed the first of the day’s challenges, they are to go exploring the city streets, taking photos, which they must then tenuously connect back to a sweet or savoury dish of their choosing.

He doesn’t expect them to figure out how to use Google Maps, so they are getting paper ones today.

“Tonight on MasterChef it’s the Melbourne challenge… We want you to cook something with ingredients that you can find in your 5km radius. You’ve got until 8pm curfew to dish up.” #MasterChefAU #Melbourne #melbournelockdown #LockDown #COVID19Vic #Lockdown4

— Leon Sjogren (@Leonsjogren) June 9, 2021

Tommy takes a picture of an alleyway, where he imagines that people could be eating a bowl of bánh bèo and it quickly becomes clear that anything goes today.

Kishwar takes a casual snap of a rainbow reflection at the now closed National Gallery of Victoria, which she should probably enter in the International Photography Awards when this is all over. Seriously, is there anything that Kishwar can’t do?

She recreates the abstract photo as a kingfish ceviche with pickled rainbow vegetables and an angry chilli jam and it’s just stunning. “It’s subtle, it’s elegant, it’s restrained,” says Mel. “I think you’ve done a beautiful job.”

Inspired by the city’s vibrant coffee culture, Scott decides to make aerated white chocolate with blackberry coulis and a coffee chocolate mousse. It’s a great idea, except he uses Moccona, and in Melbourne that earns you an instant disqualification.

Melbourne’s coffee culture is really shining through that jar of Moccona 🥰 #MasterChefAU

— Kristen Amiet (@KrissiAmiet) June 9, 2021

And to those who complain that Depinder makes too many curries, today she gives the ultimate clap back. On a day where she could cook anything she wants, she chooses French patisserie and delivers the most dreamy choux pastry with chocolate sable, chocolate cremeux and raspberry compote. The judges call it “textbook” and “technical perfection”.

Perhaps most disturbing of all, Pete finds himself inspired by the Yarra River, and wonders to himself what it would taste like and no one can relate.

Literally no one sees the Yarra and thinks yum I wonder what it tastes like #MasterChefAU

— Lynn K. (@_lynnnnk) June 9, 2021

He imagines it to taste like a salty, briny, mussel emulsion and we’re not sure we agree. However, he hasn’t left enough time to put it all together. In the end, he just slops it all in the bowl, with a few miscellaneous chunks floating on top (Swede maybe?) and the resemblance is uncanny, well done Pete.

The judges reveal the top four contestants to be Depinder, Kishwar, Linda and Tommy, who will go on to compete in a special immunity challenge at Lune Croissanterie tomorrow.