Tensions in the MKR kitchen are hitting boiling point as the competition welcomes three new gatecrashers and contestants hit the road for the second round of Instant Restaurants.
The three bold new teams — Perth’s happy couple Danielle and Marko, South Australian competitive mates Mark and Tan, and Queensland divorcees Amy and Lara — arrived on Monday night and are ready to stir the point.
At the conclusion of the first round of Instant Restaurants, best mates Justin and Will from NSW gained a combined score of 79 whilst Greek mother and daughter Anne and Maree from Victoria secured a combined score of 78.
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Both teams now have a one-way ticket straight to Kitchen HQ.
But landing at the bottom of the leader board were the feisty cousins from NSW, Mel and Jacinta with a combined total score of 50.
The pair were eliminated from the competition while the remaining contestants head to Western Australia where they were greeted in Perth for the first Instant Restaurant following the elimination.
Danielle and Marko: The Happy Couple from Western Australia
This young, fun and TikTok-obsessed couple from WA met seven years ago at a music festival.
Danielle and Marko are saving to build a home and future together whilst juggling work and their passions.
With a competitive edge, Danielle is looking forward to “competing, cooking, travelling, meeting new people and getting to spend time with Marko” whilst they are in the competition.
And for anyone stuck in a cooking rut — Marko has some advice: “Have fun with cooking! Recipes can stunt your creativity, use them as more of a base.”
The perfect mix of calm and chaos, Danielle and Marko are looking forward to the pressure the competition will bring.
Mark and Tan: Competitive Mates from South Australia
Mark and Tan are martial arts enthusiasts who love a good post-match beer.
Instantly becoming best friends, the pair thrive in business and management where their fierce competitive sides bring their drive and energy.
“MKR is a chance to try something different and interesting, combining the competition element and cooking alongside Tan,” Mark said.
Tan is hoping to stay true to his Thai heritage.
“There’s a time for both modern twists and classic recipes, and I hope to show how the two can come together,” he said.
Bringing cuisines together, Mark and Tan are preparing to bring “a Modern Australian twist to Italian fine dining”.
Amy and Lara: Divorcees from Queensland
Already making a splash in the competition, Amy and Lara have the brash confidence and wit as dry as a crisp Sav Blanc.
Full of resilience and a refreshingly direct sense of humor, this duo are ready to ruffle some feathers.
“My passions include overthinking, walking for clarity and karaoke for chaos,” Lara said..
Amy has been cooking since she was little with a dream of being a baker by the time she was two.
“I grew up on a farm, where I loved cooking with homegrown food and catching fresh food,” she said.
And when it comes to their cooking — Amy says there’s only one way to describe it.
“A flavour-bomb sharing feast,” she said.
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