It’s MasterChef episode 40 and the top six is about to become a top five after tonight’s challenge.

The episode saw Malissa, Kat, Declan, Rhiannon, and Brent face off in a dessert challenge before the judge’s three least favourite dishes saw those cooks battle it out in the elimination round.

Consummate pastry chef and chocolatier Kirsten Tibballs joined judges Jock Zonfrillo, Melissa Leong, and Andy Allen to set a sweet Elimination Challenge over the two rounds.

She unveiled a basket of sweet ingredients including raspberries and hazelnut praline paste and the contestants were informed that they must be used in both rounds. They were also given a clock with a ninety-minute timer and told it too will need to be used across both rounds.

The Cook

Rhiannon opted for Lemon Cake with Raspberry Sauce and Bitter Almonds, and the dish took her 41 minutes. Andy loved her dish but said the almonds should have been crushed.

Malissa went for a Chocolate Parfait with a Raspberry sauce and Almond Crumb which took her 51 minutes. Kristen said her parfait was “fantastic” and “smashing”, and it was gold stars all around from the rest of the judges, aside from the fact that she included raspberry seeds in her sauce.

Kat decided to make a Chocolate Mousse with Hazelnut Cream and Vanilla Shortbread, which took her 52 minutes. Melissa said the presentation was “cute” but said the mousse “lacked structure”.

Declan chose a Choux Bun with a Raspberry Craqueline and Hazelnut Praline Filling. He went for broke and spent a whopping one hour and three minutes. Jock said his “risky, risky” time choice gave him a “right to be nervous” but declared the dish was excellent.

Meanwhile, Brent ducked out of the competition and used his Immunity Pin, so he cooked… nothing.

The Verdict

Declan’s Choux Bun with a Raspberry Craqueline and Hazelnut Praline Filling was the judge’s favourite, and Rhiannon, Kat and Malissa were sent to the elimination round.

Round Two Cook

All three contestants had limited ingredients left for their elimination cook and Rhiannon had the most time left by far with 49 minutes. Malissa and Kat were close time-wise with 38 and 39 minutes respectively.

Rhiannon cooked a Chocolate Fondant with Hazelnut Ice Cream and Lemon Crumb while Malissa choose a Hazelnut Ice Cream Sandwich. Kat went for Flourless Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Raspberry Coulis.

Unfortunately for Rhiannon, with just four minutes to go her fondant collapsed when she tried to plate it.

Kat was disappointed with the look of her cake, while Malissa was in perky spirits about her dish and thought it was “great”.

The Judge

Kat was the first to present her dish to the judges and said the plating up looked “really ugly” but Jock said it was a “great cake”.

Malissa was next and her dish proved the age-old adage of not judging a book by its cover. Despite looking beautiful, the judges said the excessive baking powder used in the ice cream sandwich’s shortbread ruined the flavour.

Despite being all but convinced that Rhiannon’s collapsed chocolate fondant was sending her home, Jock said the flavour was “fantastic” and said that he’d “readily” eat it again.

The Verdict

Malissa’s overzealous use of baking powder bought her dish down, and she was sent home from the competition.

MasterChef Australia airs Sunday – Thursday at 7.30pm on 10 and 10Play.

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