‘MasterChef Australia’ 2016 recap and spoilers: George blows his top over slow service; Zoe’s team loses despite her Greek roots

An exciting team challenge greeted the contestants of Network Ten’s “MasterChef Australia” Season 8 episode 24. On June 1, the home cooks went to Hellenic Republic, owned by judge George Calombaris, where they were tasked to prepare a three-course Greek feast. In addition to the other two judges Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston, they have to impress a special guest: George’s mum.

In the end, it was blue team headed by Miles Pritchett, who managed to do just enough to win. Despite having a Greek background, team captain Zoe Konikkos was not able to pull through to save the red team.

As a result, Zoe and her teammates will exchange their red aprons to black ones on the next episode. They face a brand new challenge that will determine the “MasterChef Australia” hopefuls who will be safe, and who will have to cook for their place 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 Thursday’s episode, where the losing team encounters a new game called the One Inch Cube. Each contestant puts on a blindfold and tests their taste buds to determine food items that are cut into cube-sized pieces. The first four amateur chefs who make even the tiniest mistakes will find themselves going head to head on the next round.

Apart from Zoe, those who will be in the firing line include Anastasia Zolotarev, Cecilia Vuong, Charlie Sartori, Elise Franciskovic, Heather Day, Matt Sinclair and Mimi Baines. Matt has been a consistently top performer this season so far, and has recently won an immunity pin alongside Chloe Baines. However, “MasterChef Australia” fans know that the contestants are only good as their last dish. They wonder whether Matt would need to use the immunity pin, or serve another plate that brings him to safety.

“MasterChef Australia” Season 8 recap

It was an adrenaline-filled episode for the “MasterChef Australia” hopefuls, wherein they had to feed 120 hungry guests, who turned out to be George’s family and friends. Early on the challenge, it was all systems go for the blue team, with each contestant having a clear assignment. George could not have emphasised the importance of basting the lamb continuously to pack in the flavour, so Miles put Brett Carter to the task and told him not to leave his place there. Miles also decided to heed George’s advice when he questioned their choice on the main course.

The blue team essentially did not encounter any hitch, until their saganaki chose not to cooperate and became a hot mess. Nicolette Stathopoulos saved the day and managed to salvage their dish. Having recovered from that delay, the blue team was able to pick up the pace and served plate after plate so fast, even the waiters could not keep up.

Their courses consisted of: ricotta with pine nuts and raisins, spanakopita, beetroot and goat’s cheese dip with pita bread and saganaki cheese with spiced apricot for entrée; vegetarian moussaka, spit-roasted lamb and greek salad for main; and rice pudding with butterscotch brandy and sesame wafer, doughnuts with honey syrup walnuts and white chocolate mousse with ouzo watermelon for dessert.

Meanwhile, over on the other side, the red team hit a snag when Charlie and Matt struggled while mounting the lamb. Once they had it going, Zoe pulled Charlie out from basting the lamb – despite what George said – since they need extra hands in the preparation. The team members also found themselves working against the clock – whilst Zoe thought they had a few minutes to spare before putting out the main dish, the server comes in and fires off orders.

It was at that point that George lost his cool, saying that the red team is moving way too slow. He cries, “Fire up!” Cecilia also turned emotional during the dessert course, as she was left to do all three sweet dishes on her own. She repeatedly begged for help before breaking down. Fortunately, the red team worked together and pushed to serve everyone until the last minute.

The red team served the following: saganaki cheese with chargrilled grapes and currants, smoked eggplant dip with pita bread, spiced mince filo pie for entrée; shredded beef moussaka, spit-roasted lamb and greek salad for main; and rice pudding with figs and cardamom shortbread, chocolate mousse with brandy and sour cherries and doughnuts with feta, honey and cinnamon for dessert.

At the end of the gruelling challenge, Matt and Gary commended the blue team for their spanakopita, spit-roasted lamb and watermelon dessert. The red team, on the other hand, earned praises for their saganaki and rice pudding. However, their doughnuts were coated with too much cinnamon and that tiny mistake was deemed crucial enough, costing them victory for the night.

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.