On Sunday evening, Nine’s TV Ratings juggernaut The Block wrapped up, leaving the most watched entertainment program stakes up for grabs. This allowed Seven’s My Kitchen Rules to take home last night’s chocolates.
Monday’s episode reached 2 million people and served up an average audience of 1.2 million. This was thanks to an elimination.
Zoe and Zac’s Instant Restaurant came dangerously close to going up in flames on My Kitchen Rules, with a disastrous swordfish main threatening their place in the competition before dessert came to the rescue.
With Alisha and Deanne, or more commonly known as the “classy bogans”, languishing at the bottom of the leaderboard on 54 points, the final Instant Restaurant of the round was a must-win for both teams. For pescatarian Zoe, it was also an opportunity to silence critics Angus and Simon, who had previously branded her the competition’s “weakest link”.
The Newcastle lifelong friends welcomed judges Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge into their coastal, Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, Shuck Yeah, serving up Cashew Cream Zucchini Flowers with Caramelised Onions for entrée, Crumbed Swordfish with Fennel Salad and Lemon Rosemary Potatoes for main, and Basil Panna Cotta with Lemon Curd and Strawberries for dessert.
Things got off to a promising start, with the judges praising the light, crispy batter on the zucchini flowers, although they wanted more flavour from the cashew cream and greater caramelisation on the onions. Manu handed the entrée seven points, while Colin awarded six.
But the wheels quickly fell off when the swordfish hit the table. Manu questioned the decision to crumb the fish, while the underdressed fennel salad, raw onion and cheese failed to win over the judges. The potatoes weren’t doing the team any favours either.
Scoring just nine points from the judges for their main, Zoe and Zac were suddenly staring down the barrel of elimination.
Thankfully, dessert proved to be their saving grace. While the basil flavour split the table, the judges were impressed by the panna cotta’s consistency, lemon curd and crumb, with both Manu and Colin awarding seven points.
It was enough to keep Zoe and Zac in the competition, sending the “classy bogans” packing.
Over on Nine, Travel Guides did the numbers. The funny travel show reached 1.6 million people and pulled in a total TV national average audience of 788,000.
