‘MasterChef Australia’ 2016 recap and spoilers: Matt shines in his role as a judge; professional chefs make rookie mistake that cost them the game

It’s a fun and exciting day for the top four contestants of “MasterChef Australia” Season 8. In episode 60 that aired on July 21, the tables have turned and it was the judges’ turn to tackle a mystery box challenge. This year’s front-runner Matt Sinclair had the best day of his life, playing a judge alongside Matt Preston, while Elise Franciskovic, Elena Duggan and Harry Foster battled it out with the judges.

At the end of the invention test and team challenge, judges George Calombaris, Gary Mehigan and Shannon Bennett committed a crucial blunder and ended up losing against the three “MasterChef Australia” hopefuls. The budding chefs don’t have much time to celebrate their win, however, as reality bites on the upcoming grand finals week.

Spoiler Alert! This article contains "MasterChef Australia" 2016 spoilers. Read only if you want to know more about it.

Network Ten posted a sneak peek of Sunday’s episode, focusing on the biggest week of the competition. It begins with an emotional bombshell, as the top four receives letters from home. With their loved ones on their mind, the contestants will face the challenge with all the emotion they have. For some, it will inspire them to produce the best dishes they’ve ever cooked. For others, however, the emotion will get the better of them and for one, it will be the end of their journey in “MasterChef Australia.”

Fans wonder whether the last scene hints of the contestant who’ll be booted off next. It shows Harry, a 21-year-old cocktail bartender who hails from Queensland. As the youngest contender this season, he’s had his share of shining moments as well as bouts of less than impressive cooks, mostly because of his stubborn streak. However, as “MasterChef Australia” followers know, the trailer usually leaves mixed signals to perplex the viewers.

“MasterChef Australia” Season 8 recap

The top four were relieved to find out they’d have a bit of a break that day, since it’s the judges turn to cook. As an added treat, the past contestants, who have become their friends, walked in and it was an instant, joyous reunion for all.

Judge Matt announced that the mystery box was for George, Gary and Shannon, who’d have 60 minutes to cook. The ingredients included cauliflower, ginger wine, monkfish, kohlrabi, garlic, dates, fennel pollen, white miso, parsley and lime. Matt, Elise, Elena and Harry had a wonderful time as strict and inquisitive judges, while the three gentlemen perfectly played the role of nervous contestants. Throughout the cook, George seemed to struggle using domestic equipment and asked for Matt’s help. As a result, judge Matt gave him a yellow card for stepping out of boundaries.

When it was time to taste the dishes, the top four contesants loved George’s canneloni, monkfish, cauliflower, dates, lime and parsley, as well as Shannon’s roasted and poached monk fish with cauliflower and miso broth. However, it’s Gary’s dish – roasted monk fish with cauliflower, garlic and miso lime butter – that blew the contestants and Matt away. Gary won the mystery box challenge. If there was a best actor award, however, Matt would have won for playing a judge and George would have taken home one for pretending to be a contestant.

The next round was an invention test, pitting the judges’ team versus the contestants. Matt volunteered to sit out and join judge Matt to determine the winner. The contenders were informed that they’d be facing a relay for a 60-minute cook. Elise, Elena and Harry get to choose the hero ingredient, and they picked mandarins.

Elise and Gary went head to head for the first part of the cook, followed by Elena and Shannon, then Harry and George. Both teams seemed to have a smooth time in the kitchen, but the judges made a massive mistake. Gary told Shannon that he left a wishbone in the quail, but it looked like Shannon missed the warning. Over on the contestants’ bench, Harry was horrified to find out that the ganache was still completely fluid. He took it back to the freezer and hoped it would firm up within a few minutes.

Time was up and the contenders served the dishes to the two Matts. The contestants came up first, and they prepared a mandarin panna cotta, mandarin jelly and granita. Matt praised the different textures and flavours, as well as the dark chocolate ganache which tied the whole dish together. Judge Matt also loved the panna cotta and the jelly, and commented that it’s a really beautiful dish. He added that he expected nothing less from the top four.

The judges, on the other hand, plated a poached quail breast with a mushroom puree infused with mandarin. When Matt took a bite, he detected a quail bone – the judges chewed on the unmistakable crunch of the wish bone. Despite that flaw, Matt said it’s an incredible dish and he particularly noted the depth of the mandarin flavour. Judge Matt raved about the turnip and the meat, describing the whole dish as delicious.

It’s the moment of truth for the judges and the contestants. It all boiled down to George, Gary and Shannon’s rookie mistake, and Elise, Elena and Harry were named the clear winners for the night.

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