Shock Elimination Unfolds Before Grand Final
MasterChef Australia delivered a dramatic elimination on Sunday night, leaving fans surprised as one of the season’s top contenders exited the competition. The episode marked a pivotal moment as the show announced its top five finalists for this year’s long-running cooking series on Network Ten. The remaining hopefuls battled for a place in the finals, with the challenge set by past winners Julie Goodwin, the original MasterChef Australia champion, and recent winner Nat Thaipun.
Contestants Face High Stakes Challenge
Julie Goodwin and Nat Thaipun set contestants the task of preparing dishes using ingredients from their respective MasterChef victories. With only 60 minutes to cook, Depinder and Ben emerged on top. Their efforts saw them join last week’s immunity recipients, Callum and Laura. These four then advanced to the next stage, securing their spot in the coveted top five.
Sarah and Jamie, who missed out on the top four, faced a second intense round. The pair had to produce another dish with ingredients from Goodwin and Thaipun’s pantries. Sarah, well-known among viewers and a previous season finalist, attempted a Pork Assiette. She aimed to deliver three different pork creations in the one hour she had. Jamie opted for familiarity with a roast chicken and vegetables dish.
Sarah and Jamie faced off in the final round
Jamie Victorious as Sarah Departs
As the cookoff progressed, Jamie hit a snag when his gnocchi failed. Forced to abandon the element, he pressed on. When it came time for judging, Jamie edged out Sarah, with the judges unable to overlook undercooked pork belly in her plate. Sarah, making her third appearance on the show and a season 14 runner-up, broke down in tears when the decision was announced. The judges consoled her as she processed the elimination.
Judge Jean-Christophe Novelli spoke directly to Sarah, saying, “Sarah. You are so unique. It is a pleasure watching you cooking. Every single dish you came out with were very different, and please, do not change. It’s just a bad day in the office. You are so credible. Trust me. I really admire you.”
Sarah Leaves with Newfound Romance
While Sarah did not reach the grand final, she leaves with a new relationship. She and Declan, also a former contestant, made their romance public in June. The pair revealed to Stellar magazine that their romance began during filming. Declan, 27, said, “We instantly got along and started spending a lot of time together. Nothing was ever rushed or forced – we just enjoyed spending time together. And Sarah, being from Melbourne, knew all the places to go. So we’d go to the beach, or go-karting, and we went out for lots of dinners.”
Declan explained how he made the first move. As Sarah faced elimination, he asked, “Sarah, can I ask you something? Would you like to go on a date with me?” Sarah’s reply was, “You’re a bloody idiot!” Sarah, with a 14-year-old son, described their connection as genuine and unrushed.
Sarah, with her newfound romance, Declan Cleary
MasterChef Australia Top Five Celebrate High Points
Ben Macdonald called travelling to Doha and cooking at Alain Ducasse’s restaurant “Unforgettable.”
Callum Hann, from South Australia, highlighted his leadership in the Green Team during a Gordon Ramsay challenge and early wins in International Week. He added, “To get that positive reinforcement from one of the best chefs in the world was a pretty incredible feeling.”
Depinder Chhibber celebrated winning immunity after a challenging week and cherished the freedom in the Dough-Fest team challenge.
Jamie Fleming valued his business class flight to Doha as part of the travel challenge.
Laura Sharrad, of South Australia, achieved a personal milestone with her ice-cream flavour sold in Coles stores across Australia.
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Prominent Returns Define the Season
This MasterChef season focused on returning stars, with each contestant bringing experience from earlier appearances. The new-look judging panel included returning favourites. The competition featured international challenges and opportunities to showcase unique skills.
The latest episode saw high-pressure cooking, emotional moments, and the celebration of culinary passion. With the top five now set, MasterChef Australia continues to combine personal stories and professional ambition as the finals approach. The show’s strong viewer base waits to see which returning star will secure the grand title this season.
