MasterChef Australia contestant eliminated after 'daunting' challenge went wrong - as the cooking competition nears final weeks

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

MasterChef Australia is getting to the pointy end with just eight contestants left in the competition.
On Sunday night, the latest chef from the Back To Win season to leave the kitchen was Audra Morrice.
Audra, who first appeared on MasterChef Australia in 2012, saw her Spanish seafood paella deemed 'inconsistent' by the judges, and she was sent home.
'I actually feel really good. I came in to show the simplicity of cultural cuisine. And that food doesn't always have to be complicated' the chef said upon getting the bad news that she was out of the competition.
'This kitchen is addictive. I won't deny it was a bit daunting. It really put me out of my comfort zone, which I love' she added.
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Speaking to website Draw Your Box, Audra said that she has relished reliving the challenge.
'I just kind of went into this and just cooked what came to mind and what I felt in the flow of the moment' she said.
'Sometimes it was an epic success, sometimes it was a disastrous fail, but all I wanted to do was cook wholeheartedly and put delicious food on the table.'
Last week, an emotional Poh Ling Yeow struggled to hold back tears on as she bid farewell to contestant Andre Ursini.
Andre appeared alongside Poh on the inaugural MasterChef season back in 2009.
However, his second chance at success was foiled after he lost a Pressure Test that tasked Andre and fellow contestants Alanah Lowes and Snezana Calic with recreating an ornate dessert by renowned pastry chef Philip Khoury.
When it came time for Andre to make his exit, judge Poh became emotional when reflecting on the journey that she and Andre had started together.
'Andre, we started this journey together – whoa – 16 years ago,' Poh said, with tears welling in her eyes.
'For the past 16 years, I've watched you not only become a really brilliant cook and an amazing entrepreneur, but an amazing husband and dad.'
An emotional Poh added that having the chance to see Andre in the MasterChef kitchen again was a pleasure.
'It's been so nice and fun to be back in the kitchen with you,' she said.
'I love that you've always marched to the beat of your own drum.'
Poh then lightened the mood, joking: 'And I hope that that never changes, even though sometimes I do – no I don't, I really don't.'
Obviously touched by Poh's heartwarming tribute, Andre wasn't shy about returning the compliments.
'I was pretty inspired that first time I walked in – seeing my mate in the bright shining light where she belongs,' he said.
Andre continued to heap praise on the MasterChef judge saying: 'Poh is a jewel in the crown of the Australian culinary scene.'
'She's one of the most genuine and unique individuals that we've all been around.
'She's basically going to start levitating any year now,' he joked.
Speaking to camera after making his emotional exit, Andre was philosophical about his elimination, despite being 'devastated'.
'Being eliminated, I'm devastated, but I've come so far in the competition,' he said.
'It's taken me 16 years to re-emerge – I came in here with no expectations and got to top ten.
'I'm feeling pretty invigorated. I've rediscovered my passion for cooking after all these years and, from now on until the time I die, I'm going to keep cooking.'