‘MasterChef Australia’ 2016 recap and spoilers: Nigella dresses down for pressure test; Jimmy’s ‘inedible’ dish leads to his dramatic exit

It was an intense and highly emotional night on Network Ten’s “MasterChef Australia” Season 8, as three home cooks go head to head for a pressure test. On episode 17 aired on May 23, judges Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston, as well as guest chef Nigella Lawson had to send home another contestant based on a three-course meal prepared within only an hour. At the end of the cook, it was Jimmy Wong who failed to deliver a dish worthy for another day in the competition, and was booted off from the kitchen.

The top three contestants from the previous team challenge are in for a different kind of cook-off for the immunity challenge. Instead of battling it out in the kitchen, Karmen Lu, Mimi Baines and Harry Foster find themselves preparing a dish right inside the “MasterChef Australia” kitchen for a chance to go to round two.

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 Tuesday night’s episode that centres on the immunity challenge. During the wee hours of the night, Matt and Nigella turn up unannounced at the “MasterChef Australia” to give Karmen, Mimi and Harry a wake-up call. Whilst still in their pajamas, the three contestants whip up their immunity-worthy dishes inspired by Nigella’s midnight munchies. Whoever wins in the first round will have to bring down a seasoned chef in round two to get the coveted immunity pin.

In the trailer, Harry is shown frazzled with the challenge and it seems like he’s on the verge of a breakdown. Fans wonder whether the 21-year-old cocktail bartender would be able to use his age advantage to move past his rivals, just like what 19-year-old Nicolette Stathopoulos did in the last immunity challenge.

“MasterChef Australia” Season 8 recap

The theme for the previous elimination challenge is home cooking, described by the judges as “good, honest and super tasty food.” Keeping up with the theme, Nigella dressed down and sported a black polo with black pants, which was a stark contrast to her body-hugging maroon dress on Sunday night. Chloe, Miles and Jimmy were tasked to cook three of Nigella’s dishes: crab and avocado salad, lamb leg with sides and coffee panna cotta with chocolate-coffee sauce. As if that’s not daunting enough, they have to prepare the three-course meal in just 60 minutes.

Right from the start, Miles breezed in through the challenge, getting ahead of the other two contestants. The judges, however, wondered whether he’s doing each element quickly and accurately. Chloe, meanwhile, were in her element that night and looked like she was having fun while cooking. She only encountered a bit of a trouble right at the very end, but managed to put out complete dishes. Jimmy, however, looked like a headless chicken running around and had difficulty in following the recipe. His sister, Theresa Visintin, tried to cheer him on and help him, but Jimmy snapped at her a couple of times.

As the three home cooks raced against the clock, it was Nigella who was even more stressed compared to them. When the hour was up, she rounded the contestants for a group hug before the tasting. Nigella commented that Chloe turned the pressure test into a pleasure test, and it translated to her dish. For serving the best plates for the night, Chloe was sent to safety. Both Miles and Jimmy had serious and numerous errors in their dishes, but Jimmy’s undercooked and inedible lamb leg was deemed a bigger disaster, costing him a spot in the competition. It was an emotional farewell for Jimmy, whom contestant Matt Sinclair described as a “force to be reckoned with.”

The 49-year-old sustainability specialist, who gave up his job to join “MasterChef Australia,” told the judges that he enjoyed the entire competition, and that he appreciates all their comments. Since he left the show, Jimmy has worked at some of Sydney’s top restaurants, such as Quay, Icebergs, Marque and Flour and Stone.

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.