After Abbey led last night’s green team to defeat she found herself in the MasterChef elimination pressure test, along with Leah, Larissa, Monica and Mandy.
Watch: Nigella shares her secret to perfect the roast chicken.
Nigella is in the driving seat this week, and on Monday night she revealed a pressure test dish that surprised no one… anyone who knows Nigella knows she loves a roast chicken!
The contestants had 90 minutes to cook Nigella’s infamous roast chicken (which she also revealed would be her last meal on earth, if she had to chose. No pressure then… ) with two sides, plus a gravy.
So. Much. Deliciousness!
But who will fall fowl of the chicken challenge?
With Matt declaring that it’s “almost illegal not to serve chicken with roast potatoes” as one of the chosen side dishes, Larissa decides she doesn’t give two hoots about his opinion and ditches the spuds because SHE doesn’t like them…
Will that be her downfall?
The cook couldn’t be more different to Sunday night’s for Abbey, who, despite running around like a headless chook, cruises through the challenge.
While Mandy panics when she gets to her gravy and messes up an element that could cost her a place in the next round.
But that’s all down to what the judges decide when they taste the dishes…
An emotional Leah is first up with her dish. “A smashing job. It’s an uplifting plate of food says,” says Nigella.
Mandy knows there’s a problem with her gravy, and the judges agree that it’s “bland”. She’s in trouble.
While Monica’s roast is gobbled up, there’s something bitter about the sauce and Matt says it’s missing that “wow” factor.
Abbey was right to be confident, her roast received nothing but praise and the judges squark with delight at everything on the plate.
Larissa is last up and has to face the music about her lack of potatoes…
Matt says her lack of spuds may send her home. But as he slurps up the “delicious” gravy from the jug, the potatoes are a distant memory.
When it comes to the final results, there are some standout dishes.
Everyone nailed the chicken element. The judges couldn’t have been more egg-cited about the birds.
On the second elements, the two sides and gravy, Leah and Abbey are through. “The dish of the day was cooked by you, Abbey,” says Nigella.
With the final three in the firing line, it’s Monica who is sent home.
“Your potatoes weren’t as delicious and crispy as they should have been, but also the gravy was bitter and sour, and that’s why you are going home,” said an unapologetic Gary.
“MasterChef is just the beginning for me,” said Monica in her final piece to camera.
“So I’m so excited to get out there and start doing what I love.”
The credits roll and we learn Monica is now working on a cook book. And heading back to her teaching job.
All the best, Monica.