MasterChef Australia is down to its final eight contestants after Audra Morrice was sent home on Sunday night. The chef, who first appeared on the show in 2012, saw her Spanish seafood paella deemed 'inconsistent' by the judges.
'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,' Morrice said upon her elimination. She added: '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.'
Speaking to website Draw Your Box, Morrice reflected on her journey: 'I just kind of went into this and just cooked what came to mind and what I felt in the flow of the moment. 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, contestant Andre Ursini was eliminated after losing a Pressure Test. Judge Poh Ling Yeow became emotional as she bid him farewell, recalling their journey together since the inaugural MasterChef season in 2009. 'Andre, we started this journey together – whoa – 16 years ago,' Poh said, with tears 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.'
Andre returned the compliments, calling Poh 'a jewel in the crown of the Australian culinary scene' and 'one of the most genuine and unique individuals that we've all been around.'
