Season
MasterChef Australia: Season 2
Overview
Details for MasterChef Australia: Season 2, powered by TMDB.
Details
- Series
- MasterChef Australia
- Season
- Season 2
- Air date
- 2010-04-19
- Episodes
- 84 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: Top 50 Begins - BBQ Challenge
The top 50 began with a barbecue challenge, with the freedom to cook whatever they wanted. The 10 worst performers were sent into a pavlova pressure test led by Donna Hay. The 5 contestants who produced the worst pavlovas were eliminated from the competition.
Episode 2: Signature Dish
The remaining contestants were asked to prepare their signature dish. In a first for MasterChef Australia the contestants did the judging, with the men voting for their favourite dish from the women, and vice versa. The top 7 vote-getters (4 women, 3 men) were then put into a beef wellington pressure test, with the best man and woman progressing directly to the top 24. The winners, Claire and Jimmy, were the first pair to advance to the Top 24.
Episode 3: Bottom 10 Elimination Challenge
The 10 contestants who performed worst in Tuesday's signature dish challenge were split into 5 groups of 2 and given 7 hours to drive out to local farms, collect fresh produce, and return to the MasterChef kitchen to prepare a main and a dessert. One contestant, Andrea, found the challenge difficult, and realised that MasterChef was not for her; her withdrawal from the competition forced her partner in the challenge, Philip, to prepare both dishes on his own. Despite this setback, he and 4 others kept their spots in the competition, while 5 contestants were eliminated.
Episode 4: 10 More Spots with Matt Moran
With 10 spots in the Top 24 on the line, the remaining contestants competed in a mise en place challenge. The challenge had 4 stages, with the worst performers in each stage removed by Gary and George. The first stage involved separating egg yolks and whites. The second asked the contestants to julienne carrots. In the third, the first 10 contestants to shuck 12 oysters satisfactorily moved onto the final stage, wherein Marion, Adele, Courtney and Daniel successfully cut 6 fillets of salmon weighing between 170g and 190g first, gaining their places in the Top 24. Following the mise en place challenge, the remaining contestants had to follow a recipe from Matt Moran, with poor performers gradually eliminated in stages. 10 contestants had their dishes tasted, with Jonathan, Peter, Aaron, Adam, Kate B. and Philip impressing the judges the most, winning their spots in the Top 24.
Episode 5: Masterclass 1
The six contestants who won Top 24 spots cooking against Matt Moran are treated to a Masterclass with him in ARIA’s kitchen. Matt shows them how to make seafood canapés. The other contestants learn how to cook a dish of baby vegetables and techniques for grilling meat by George and Gary. George also makes a raspberry dessert with jelly, granita and champagne.
Episode 6: The Top 24 - Mystery Box Challenge
After a mystery box challenge, 4 contestants will be through to the Top 24, and 4 will be sent home. The contestants cook a Neil Perry fish dish in a pressure test and Neil also judges the dishes.
Episode 7: Childhood Memory Invention Test
The Top 24 arrived at the MasterChef house and then headed to the MasterChef kitchen. The contestants had 90 minutes to create a dish that was a childhood memory for them. The winner will now cook off against a celebrity chef and if they win, will be given an immunity prize, which can be uses to escape an elimination if need be.
Episode 8: Chef Challenge - Luke Nguyen
Luke Nguyen
Episode 9: Italian Restaurant Team Challenge
The off site team challenge, to take over the running of two Italian restaurants, saw the Red Team conquer despite having a simpler menu. From the Blue Team, Jonathan and Devon were selected by the judges as the two worst performers and were up for elimination. Sarah withdrew from the competition to return to her family.
Episode 10: Eggy Elimination Challenge
As the Red Team enjoyed their reward: lunch and a mini MasterClass with Luke Mangan, Jonathan and Devon faced off in the Elimination Challenge; a best of three challenge with the theme: eggs. Jonathan won the first round; to correctly name different birds' eggs. The next round Jonathan and Devon raced to be the first to beat egg whites to stiff peaks.
Episode 11: Masterclass 2
The judges share their own food memories in this week's MasterClass. A good old English Sunday Roast was Gary's dish of the day while George cooked up lasagne with a twist.
Episode 12: Mystery Box & Invention Test
Japanese theme. The Mystery Box challenge saw the contestants making the "perfect burger", with only five selected to taste by the judges. Marion won the challenge and picked tuna as the core ingredient for the Invention Test. With a Japanese theme, Adam was favourite to win the challenge but it was Callum who triumphed.
Episode 13: Pressure Test - Peter Gilmore
Carrie, Kate and Fiona faced off in the Pressure Test after cooking the three least impressive dishes in the Invention Test. They were asked to replicate a chicken dish from chef Peter Gilmore. Fiona had a slow start but she finished strongly and cooked the chicken perfectly but her dish lacked detail. Despite a strong start, Kate failed to read her recipe thoroughly, she wrapped up her chicken too much that it didn't cook properly and she ended up serving the judges raw chicken although her vegetables were perfectly cooked. Carrie struggled through the whole challenge, she cooked the chicken perfectly but all the flavour leaked out in the water bath because she left a hole in her chicken's skin and her vegetables were undercooked.
Episode 14: Chef Challenge - Philippa Sibley
This dessert is no piece of cake
Episode 15: Kids Birthday Team Challenge
In an unprecedented twist, Callum as winner of the weeks Invention Test was granted the power to pick his entire team first. The off site challenge was to put on a children's birthday party for 150 people, who would vote for their favourite dish. The Blue Team proved to have too great an advantage and won easily.
Episode 16: Fix That Dish Elimination
As the Blue Team enjoyed their reward at Sails on Lavender Bay with Nathan Darling, Jonathan and Adele faced off in a "fix the dish" challenge. They had to fix a poorly made dish (a bolognese sauce) in ten steps, each step adding their choice of a range of ingredients.
Episode 17: Masterclass 3
Shaun Presland shows how simple Japanese is.
Episode 18: Mystery Box & Invention Test
Indian theme. The Mystery Box challenge saw the contestants choosing between a main and a dessert, with Skye's Crispy Duck winning her the challenge and picking goat as key ingredient in the Invention Test. Jimmy was the favourite to win but in the end it was Jonathan whose invention impressed the judges the most.
Episode 19: Black Forest Cake Pressure Test
Dominic, Joanne and Matthew faced off in the Pressure Test; to make a black forest cake. Joanne was able to put off a shaky start and finish strongly, leaving the judges to pick the least impressive of the two men. Dominic's cake only had three layers instead of the five in the recipe, while Matthew left a cherry pit in his cake.
Episode 20: Chef Challenge - Justin North
Jonathan must impress the judges with his roast rack and crisp confit belly of suckling pig in order to beat professional chef and restaurant owner Justin North in the celebrity chef cook-off.
Episode 21: Classic French Meal Team Challenge
The two teams were tasked with preparing a Classic French 3-course meal for Matt Preston, Tetsuya Wakuda and Guillaume Brahimi. Michel Roux mentored the Red Team, Tony Bilson mentored the Blue Team.
Episode 22: Name That Herg Elimination
While the Blue Team enjoyed their lunch with Giovanni Pilu, the Red Team faced off in a two-round Elimination challenge. The first challenge was to make a traditional Genovese Pesto completely by hand in ten minutes, from which, only Marion's was of an acceptable quality, with Sharnee, Courtney and Daniel as the worst of the rest. Those three then competed in the second round of the challenge: naming herbs.
Episode 23: Masterclass 4
The judges serve up duck two ways and invite guest chef Kumar Mahadevan to cook a spicy prawn curry. Justin North also helps the contestants make crackling pork.
Episode 24: Mystery Box & Invention Test
"Around the world" theme. The Mystery Box challenge saw the contestants tackle a complex range of ingredients and a time of just 25 minutes. Peter took out the challenge and was given a significant advantage in the Invention Test, which for the first time would see the contestants competing in trios. Peter was given the power to not only pick the core ingredient for each country's cuisine, but also to pick the members of each team.
Episode 25: Schnitzel & Chips Pressure Test
Alvin, Daniel and Fiona faced off in the Pressure Test; to recreate a Pork Schnitzel with chips and coleslaw with no recipe to follow. While each contestant cooked the correct meat, Daniel and Fiona were under the impression that they were cooking veal. Aside from that, each dish had its shortcomings: Alvin failed to flatten his meat and it was undercooked, Daniel's meat was overcooked and he used shop-bought mayonnaise in his coleslaw, and Fiona used packaged breadcrumbs instead of fresh.
Episode 26: Chef Challenge - Restaurant Arras
Team "Restaurant Arras" (Adam Humphrey, Lovaine Allen, Aaron Eady) face off against Aaron, Joanne and Matthew.
Episode 27: Normal Family Meal Team Challenge
The two teams were tasked with preparing a 3 course meal for a normal family and judges Matt Preston and Curtis Stone, on a tight budget and time limit. In the end, the families rated each team equally and the judges could not agree on a winner, so the challenge was ruled a tie. Therefore, a bottom 2 was selected from each team,
Episode 28: Bouillabaisse Taste Test Elimination
As the Blue Team and Red Team enjoyed their lunch at Sailor's Thai, the four contestants were asked to name the ingredients of a traditional Bouillabaisse in a taste test Elimination Challenge. Over half of the ingredients had been correctly named when a contestant incorrectly guessed "white wine" and was eliminated.
Episode 29: Masterclass 5
Gary cooked braised BBQ’d ribs with homemade sauce and George offered up a Waldorf salad. Guest chef Peter Kuravita from Sydney restaurant Flying Fish, showed the contestants two completely different bug dishes– one with an accompanying shaved fennel and edamame salad and a main dish featuring a spicy ginger and chilli sauce.
Episode 30: Pizza Over Challenge
"Modern Australia" theme. There was no Mystery Box challenge this week, instead the contestants faced a pizza making challenge. Fiona was the victor and picked tropical fruit as the Invention Test's core ingredient. Many struggled with this sweet choice, while Marion's risky recipe paid off and she was declared the winner.
Episode 31: Duck Two Ways Pressure Test
Their task was to recreate a dish by Australian food icon, Stephanie Alexander, a confit duck-neck sausage with grilled duck breast in sour cherry sauce, potato crisps and buttered spinach. Peter, being from Melbourne, was able to source ingredients from Queen Victoria Market quickly and make his way to the Langham Hotel first, followed by Carrie and then Jimmy. In the end, each dish had its problems: Peter's sauce was too floury, Carrie's sauce was too thin, her sausage grainy and she failed to plate up the spinach, and Jimmy's spinach was gritty and his duck breast overcooked.
Episode 32: Chef Challenge - Frank Camorra
Marion goes up against chef and owner of the acclaimed MoVida, Frank Camorra, in a fierce celebrity challenge.
Episode 33: The Press Club Team Challenge
The two teams were faced with their toughest challenge yet: to take over the running of George Calombaris' own restaurant The Press Club on its relaunch, serving a variety of Australian food royalty and celebrities. Each team struggled early with the stresses of running a restaurant.
Episode 34: Mystery Box Elimination Challenge
In a mystery box Elimination Challenge, the Blue Team members were tasked with creating a dish to complement a specific bottle of wine.
Episode 35: Masterclass 6
Gary and George showed the contestants how to make the perfect pizza, while Gary also served up an English rice pudding, and George cooked up some chicken oysters with homous and fatoush.
Episode 36: Mystery Box & Invention Test
Pasta theme. After a trying Mystery Box challenge featuring lambs' brains, Marion emerged as winner and picked seafood as the core ingredient for the Invention Test. Most contestants thrived in making their own pasta, leading the judges to award a Top 6, with Aaron wowing with his remarkable invention.
Episode 37: Seafood Platter Pressure Test
Jake, Jimmy and Matthew faced off in the Pressure Test; to recreate a Rick Stein seafood platter worth $350.
Episode 38: Chef Challenge - Maggie Beer
Aaron cooked off against Maggie Beer, making her pheasant pie.
Episode 39: Pacific Jewel Team Challenge
In the biggest Off Site Challenge ever, contestants were faced with preparing 8000 canapés for 2000 guests on the P&O Pacific Jewel, who would vote for their favourite team's menu. Under the guidance of a P&O sous chef (plus an extra helper for the Red Team to make up the numbers), each team prepared 1000 of four different canapés. The Blue Team struggled early and opted to buy the help of another chef for 100 votes.
Episode 40: Taste Test Elimination Challenge
Marion, Jake and Joanne face an elimination taste test. They must identify 23 ingredients to stay in the competition. Will this be Marion's one and only chance to use her immunity?
The red team goes to Red Lantern for lunch and a impromptu master class. They learn to make a quail entree. The 3 up for elimination have to taste a Thai green curry, naming ingredients that are contained within.
Episode 41: Masterclass 7
George cooked up ravioli with potato and leek as well as a quail dolmatha with tahini and yoghurt dressing. Meanwhile guest chef Matt Moran had quesadillias on the menu and a berry and frangipane tart.
Episode 42: Mystery Box & Invention Test
Vegetarian theme. In a meaty Mystery Box challenge, it was Claire who managed to impress the most and was given a significant advantage in the Invention Test, which would be contested in pairs. As well as picking the core ingredient, Claire was given the power to choose the pairs for the challenge. In a further twist, they would be cooking to impress six staunch meat-eaters, and the two judges, with their vegetarian meals. Aaron and Adam emerged as winners with their curry, and won the chance to face off in a mystery challenge for immunity.
Episode 43: Oyster Terrine Pressure Test
Callum, Joanne, Peter and Skye faced off in the Pressure Test; to recreate George Calombaris' oyster terrine. Callum's terrine was described as a dog's breakfast but was closest to George's dish in flavour.
Episode 44: Chef Challenge - Aaron vs Adam
In a twist on the traditional format, Aaron and Adam competed against each other to win immunity. They had 1hr 45min to complete three dishes with three core ingredients for three Celebrity Chefs, Matt Moran, Kylie Kwong and Ian Curley. The Chefs would then pick their favourite of the two dishes, and the contestant with the most votes would win immunity.
Episode 45: Molecular Gastronomy Team Challenge
Teams were tasked with creating a dining experience using principles of molecular gastronomy. With the help of two leaders in innovative cooking, each team was tasked with a specific theme to shape their dining experience.
Episode 46: Chicken Korma & Name Spices Elimination
In a two-round Elimination Challenge testing basic skills, members of the Blue Team were first asked to cook Chicken Korma. They were provided with all the ingredients but were left to choose which spices to use. Out of the six contestants, only Alvin's attempt was of an acceptable quality with Jonathan and Skye the worst of the rest. They were sent into a sudden death challenge to name spices.
Episode 47: Masterclass 8
Callum and Sharnee were treated to a masterclass on Cheese by Australian cheese expert Will Studd, while the remaining contestants were treated to a steak and kidney sandwich by Gary Mehigan and stir-fried Aubergines in Chili sauce by Kylie Kwong. Chef Darren Purchese also demonstrated his 'fruit carnival'.
Episode 48: Mystery Box & Invention Test
"Australian Food Icon" theme. The winner of Masterchef Australia 2009, Julie Goodwin, returned as a guest judge for the Mystery Box Challenge, the ingredients of which were also chosen by her. Marion won the challenge and she chose Chiko Rolls as the food icon contestants had to "re-invent". Jonathan's dish was the most impressive while Callum, Matthew and Sharnee were chosen as the Bottom 3 contestants.
Episode 49: Beef Stroganoff Pressure Test
Callum, Matthew and Sharnee faced off in the Pressure Test, where they had to recreate a Beef Stroganoff with Parsley Fettuccine without a recipe to follow. Each of the contestants identified the correct meat, but each contestant's dish had flaws; Callum's Stroganoff lacked enough sauce and his pasta was overcooked, Matthew put too much tomato paste in his Stroganoff and Sharnee incorrectly used nutmeg instead of paprika.
Episode 50: Chef Challenge - Josh Emett
New Zealand chef and co-founder of Rata restaurant Josh Emett takes on Jonathan in the celebrity chef challenge.
Episode 51: Qantas Business Team Challenge
Episode 52: Carrot Cake Elimination Challenge
Episode 53: Masterclass 9
Episode 54: London Week Day 1: Invention Test
Episode 55: London Week Day 2: Heston Pressure Test
Episode 56: London Week Day 2: Chef Challenge - Martin Blunos
Episode 57: London Week Day 3: Super Off Site Challenge
Episode 58: London Week Day 4:Elimination Challenge
Episode 59: Masterclass 10
Episode 60: Return Elimination Challenge 1
Episode 61: Return Elimination Challenge 2
Episode 62: Chef Challenge - Mitchell Orr
Episode 63: CWA Team Challenge
Episode 64: Taste Test Elimination Challenge
Episode 65: Masterclass 11
Episode 66: Mystery Box & Invention Test
Episode 67: Macaron Tower Pressure Test
Episode 68: Chef Challenge - Adam Melona
Episode 69: Army Base Team Challenge
Episode 70: Thai Satay Sauce Elimination Challenge
Episode 71: Masterclass 12
Episode 72: Mystery Box & Invention Test
Episode 73: Pressure Test - Christine Manfield
Episode 74: Chef Challenge - Shaun Presland
Episode 75: Signature Dish Challenge
Episode 76: Guess that Fish Elimination Challenge
Episode 77: Masterclass 13
Episode 78: Finals Week - Day 1 - Invention Test
Episode 79: Finals Week - Day 2 - Pressure Test
Episode 80: Finals Week - Day 3 - Mystery Box Challenge
Episode 81: Finals Week - Day 4 - Signature Dish Challenge
Episode 82: Finals Week - Day 5 - Off Site Challenge
Episode 83: Finals Week - Day 6 - Final Masterclass
Episode 84: Grand Final - Welcome Masterchef 2010