‘MasterChef Australia’ 2016 recap and spoilers: Elise goes from best to worst, wins the power apron but ends up on the chopping block

One is only good as his or her last performance – this is what home cook Elise Franciskovic learned on “MasterChef Australia” Season 8. In episode 31 that aired on June 12, the 28-year-old pharmacy technician managed to blow the minds of judges George Calombaris, Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston, as well as guest chef Luke Nguyen.

Elise’s extremely creative dish won her this season’s first power apron, but it’s not long before she gave it up to another “MasterChef Australia” hopeful. Worse, she also landed on the bottom three, which means she has to cook her heart out in the upcoming pressure test. Elise has to face head to head with Elena Duggan and Zoe Konikkos, who are also vying to keep their spot in the competition.

Spoiler Alert! This article contains "MasterChef Australia" Season 8 spoilers. Read only if you want to know more about it.

Network Ten posted a sneak peek of Monday’s episode, featuring a massive pressure test with Australia’s award-winning chef Ross Lusted. It’s do or die for the three ladies clad in the dreaded black apron, and it looks like all of them will struggle as they face what could be their last cook in the “MasterChef Australia” kitchen.

In the trailer, Zoe expresses she’s really worried, while Elise admits that the recipe is confusing her. With the threat of elimination, the pressure will reach its boiling point and Elena is seen reduced to tears. “I really want to be here ‘til the end,” she cries.

“MasterChef Australia” Season 8 recap

At this stage of the competition, every single day poses a seriously difficult challenge, and the previous episode is no exception.

The contestants were star-struck once again as one of the most popular chefs in Australia walked in the “MasterChef Australia” kitchen – Luke Nguyen. He chose all the ingredients for the mystery box challenge, namely: goat cutlets, rambutans, shrimp paste, Jikima, tamarind puree, lime, beetle leaves and crickets. The contestants were particularly terrified with the crickets, since most of them haven’t tasted or cooked with the insects before.

Right from the start, Elise felt confident with that particular challenge. “Today’s my day,” she declares. “I’m going to give everything I’ve got.” Her cool, calm and collected attitude paid off and her cricket caramel parfait with lime curd and betel leaf was deemed utterly delicious by the judges. George even told her, “Start churning out dishes like that, and you’ll win ‘MasterChef.’” Elise managed to trump the other top two dishes, courtesy of Matt Sinclair and Heather Day, and earned the game-changing power apron.

For winning the power apron, Elise got two advantages. First, she was given the chance to choose the method of cooking for the invention challenge: steaming or frying. She chose frying. For her other advantage, Elise got an extra 30 minutes of preparing her dish. However, she threw that time lead right off the window after she let her confusion overwhelm her. While she started making jus for her dish, Gary came along and dropped a bombshell: she’s violating the only-fried food rule. Flustered, Elise admitted that the challenge is really hard.

With Elise’s advantage gone, the playing field was fair once again. Completely in her element, Anastasia Zolotarev breezed in through the preparation and put out a bold and beautiful dish. George could not help but gush with her Pernod tarragon prawns with fried fennel pesto, repeatedly saying that he loved it. Matt, on the other hand, praised her for being able to use frying as an elegant manner of cooking.

Anastasia’s plate ended up in the top three dishes with Chloe Bowles’ pan fried duck breast with vegetables and a peanut sambal and Harry Foster’s Korean fried chicken. In the end, the judges declared Anastasia as the winner, and Elise sadly passed on the power apron to her. Anastasia’s advantage will be revealed in the next pressure test, which will feature the makers of the three bottom dishes: Elise, Elena and Zoe.

Elise’s confusion translated to her equally confusing dish, which is pan seared quail with mango harissa and maple goat’s cheese. The judges did not mince words in expressing their disappointment and Elise knew she’s in trouble. She regretted experiencing an absolute high with the power apron, only to fall absolutely low.

Also called out for their disappointing dishes was Elena, with her pork and prawn omelette with shallots and chilli sauce, as well as Zoe with her deep fried snapper with green mango salad and chilli sambal. The three were told to recharge their batteries, since the upcoming elimination challenge will be a big one.

Find out what happens next week to “MasterChef Australia,” and stay tuned for episode spoilers. “MasterChef Australia” Season 8 airs every Sunday to Thursday at 7.30pm on Ten.