After bidding John from the Favourites goodbye in the previous episode, we move on to MasterChef Australia Season 14 Episode 16, which starts in a rather unique way. The contestants enter the kitchen by picking up a number from a bag Jock and Andy and holding and, to Melissa in the kitchen. Turns out it is a mystery box challenge!
The title of the episode is ‘Alphabet Mystery Box’ and, the runtime for the episode is 49 minutes. So yes, there are 26 alphabetical mystery boxes containing single ingredients that correspond with the letter on the box. The number the contestants previously picked up gives them the sequence in which they will be able to pick the boxes. The chefs must cook using their designated ingredient to prepare a dish that will impress the judges.
MasterChef Australia Season 14 Episode 16 Recap Contains Spoilers
Tommy is the lucky number one and, he picks the letter M and, he finds Macadamia Nuts, which is troubling as he has never cooked with ’em before. Minoli picks C underneath which rests Curry Leaves. Billie’s G box presents her with Goat Cheese, Sashi’s P box present him with Potatoes, Julie’s D box presents her with Dijon Mustard and, Mindy gets E for Eggplants. Christina picks F and gets Figs whereas Keyma picks N and gets Nutmegs. Alvin is happy with his Z box and, so is Alvin with Sichuan Pepper from the S box.
Matt gets Tahini under the T-box, Montana gets Belacan under the B-box and, Daniel gets Kale under the K-box- all really complicated and difficult ingredients to cook with. Michael takes a chance with the X box and is happy to find XO Sauce. Sarah is the last one to open the box with the letter O and, is safe with Onions. The rules remain the same- cook within 60 minutes, and the pantry is open for use. The bottom two dishes will go for the upcoming pressure test where one of the contestants will get eliminated. However, the best dish will be rewarded with an advantage for the entire team in the forthcoming challenges.
The cooks dive right into preparing their dish for the night starting from lambs to spice cakes, and the contestants put forward their all. Tommy struggles to make his Macadamia nut puree and, is guided by Andy. Yet at some point down the line, Tommy overdoes the roasting for his Macademia nuts and, has to redo it again. As Tommy is unable to do the Macademia nuts puree in Andy’s style, he goes for his original way. The same goes for Montana who feels gutted for getting Belacan. Kale man Daniel too is in a pickle cooking with an ingredient he isn’t fond of. While plating Matt figures out that his dish isn’t cooked properly and tries to re-bake it.
Also Read: MasterChef Australia Season 14 Episode 14 Recap: A Sacrifice of Time Versus Ingredients
When the tasting begins with Keyma’s Caribbean inspired Spice Cake which is a Caribbean delight but, somewhere in the plating Keyma’s dishes always seems to lack. Tommy’s dish is a Macadamia Puree served with Oysters but, fails to impress with a grainy texture in the puree. Billie’s Cheese Cake, Mindy’s Crispy Eggplant, and Julie’s Dijon Chicken and Mushrooms all receive good reviews. Christina is next to bring forward her Fig Jam with Fig Vino Cotto and Burrata but, as special as the dish sounds, it doesn’t stand out. Minoli presents her Curry Leaf Curred Kingfisher, which is spectacular and exceptional.
Daniel has a Ricotta and Kale Turnover for the judges, where the Ricotta is perfect but, the kale seems missing. Sashi’s Lamb and Potato dish as well as Matt’s Tahini Milföy aren’t the best out of the lot. Next up is Montana with her Prawn Lettuce Wraps served with Belcan Sambal and Pickles that the judges love.
MasterChef Australia Season 14 Episode 16: The Best and The Worst
Minoli wins the advantage with her dish. Matt and Daniel land at the bottom two with their dishes from the Fans. Tommy and Christina follow the lead of being at the bottom of the Favourites. These four will be cooking in the upcoming pressure test in MasterChef Australia Season 14.
MasterChef Australia Season 14 Episode 16: Final Thoughts
MasterChef Australia Season 14 Episode 16 had a little more to do with luck this time. For instance, Tommy getting the Macademia nuts, with which he has never cooked was all about luck, just the way Minoli found her characteristic curry leaves to cook with. However, even with the easiest ingredients, not everyone could win the advantage and, that is the true test of being under the cook at MasterChef. All the dishes served were adventurous and different, so the mystery box challenge was at least able to give us the high-end dishes we expect to see in MasterChef.
You can watch MasterChef Australia Season 14 Episode 16 now on Disney+ Hotstar.
Also Read: MasterChef Australia Season 14 Episode 15 Recap: Can You Crack the Egg?