Just watched Episode 32 of Masterchef Australia season 15…. and we are underwhelmed. For some reason, this season is just not working. Probably it’s because all of us are sad knowing this is the very last time we are seeing Jock Zonfrillo. But it’s also because no single contestant has blown us away. We still remember a Jess Liemantara and a Khanh from Season 10… some of their dishes just blew us away.
Reynold Poernomo and his creations are still fresh in our memory … read Reynold – A Genius. He didn’t win the title but we can’t forget him.
Usually there would be really strong contestants and the top 10 would be top notch. In Episode 31, not one item was a true surprise despite having the entire pantry at their disposal and the garden etc etc. It’s like having an open book examination and still scoring poorly.
We still like the program and I am not being critical of the contestants, but one has come to expect great cooking by amateur cooks in MasterChef Australia.
We have waited episode after episode to find that one amazing cook or a few amazing cooks …. but it has been in vain. Declan is truly a gentleman and I would love to adopt him just for his manners, but he has been part of nearly every elimination cook. Sashi Cheliah, in Season 10, donned the black apron, just once in his journey to the Masterchef crown.
Again, Antonio is a wonderful human being, just seeing him makes you like him. The bonhomie between him and Ralph was a treat to watch, but hey, this is a competition and you need to play to your strengths. He went out of the competition on a very simple mistake.
A few other observations this time – almost no one seems to complete their dishes in time. Malissa made a cake in episode 31, and sorry to say, I probably would have done a better job of presenting it and I am no baker ! How do you not know to manage time in the kitchen ? The second observation is someone or the other, routinely stuffs up the seasoning. Someone leaves out the salt or adds too much sugar or forgets to add the spice mix etc etc. My mother-in-law would tell me to add salt just by the smell of the dish.
In today’s episode Ralph got eliminated only because he couldn’t manage his time in the kitchen. He went ultra slow at the beginning and then suddenly was left with very little time to complete his dish. Once again, all three contestants in today’s pressure test, didn’t even quenelle the ice cream. I wonder why ! Masterchef Australia has raised the bar in every season and suddenly season 15 is sub par.
Some of the contests this time around have been truly difficult and the contestants have done well in those. That’s probably the saving grace.
Home cooks make mistakes and it’s perfectly fine to do so. But home cooks that get selected for Masterchef are a cut above the rest… and am sure they get some training as well. Just hope that a deserving contestant wins the title this year. I started to bet on Declan, but seeing him in so many eliminations am not so sure anymore. Theo was my other bet … but he is the bread guy and struggles with many other things. I feel Rue is the dark horse and may just go on to winning the title.
They call this season as “secrets and surprises” … well the biggest surprise for the viewers has been the selection of the contestants and we are yet to see them bring out their secret strengths. We are just happy that Indian origin contestant Adi at least acknowledged her heritage and said she was proud of it. :):)
Best wishes to the top 8 and hoping to see some great dishes in the remaining episodes.