In this week's elimination episode we meet the guest chef setting the challenges and it's none other than Rick Stein! We talk about our experiences with squid (squidoodles and spice bags) and smash 'n' pass several of the contestants' dishes and we say a sad farewell to another contestant... tune in to hear our thoughts!  Warning: Spoilers ahead –– this a post-broadcast reaction podcast so we will be discussing details of broadcasted episodes, including guests, challenges, wins and eliminations.  This is the home of GastroGays' MasterChef Australia content, coinciding with the UK/Ireland broadcast this August for the next couple of months. We are watching the series as it broadcasts in the UK & Ireland on "W", weeknights at 7pm.  Follow at @gastrogays on Instagram Visit our Substack at chippaper.substack.com buymeacoffee.com/gastrogays  ---- Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/qube/play License code: LFC0NPFOIOL4CRVR

The ultimate decision lies ahead: do you take less ingredients for more time, or wait it out as time ticks away for the prime ingredients? Well if you've seen this episode you'll know how this Sophie's choice pans out... in this episode we try our best to use math to calculate time which goes abysmally and we think we're in love with Serai in every way imaginable... Warning: Spoilers ahead –– this a post-broadcast reaction podcast so we will be discussing details of broadcasted episodes, including guests, challenges, wins and eliminations.  This is the home of GastroGays' MasterChef Australia content, coinciding with the UK/Ireland broadcast this August for the next couple of months. We are watching the series as it broadcasts in the UK & Ireland on "W", weeknights at 7pm.  Follow at @gastrogays on Instagram Visit our Substack at chippaper.substack.com buymeacoffee.com/gastrogays  ---- Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/qube/play License code: LFC0NPFOIOL4CRVR

Another classic MasterChef Australia episode in this Home Cook vs. Pro Cook week. Three chefs from Stanley in Brisbane compete in a relay against three contestants. We talk about which position we'd cook in and try pin point where it all went wrong in this episode....  Warning: Spoilers ahead –– this a post-broadcast reaction podcast so we will be discussing details of broadcasted episodes, including guests, challenges, wins and eliminations.  This is the home of GastroGays' MasterChef Australia content, coinciding with the UK/Ireland broadcast this August for the next couple of months. We are watching the series as it broadcasts in the UK & Ireland on "W", weeknights at 7pm.  Follow at @gastrogays on Instagram Visit our Substack at chippaper.substack.com buymeacoffee.com/gastrogays  ---- Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/qube/play License code: LFC0NPFOIOL4CRVR

In a change of usual programming, three outside chefs compete in the MasterChef Australia kitchen like contestants, being subjected to an intense three-hour, three-course pressure test from Khanh Nguyen.   Warning: Spoilers ahead –– this a post-broadcast reaction podcast so we will be discussing details of broadcasted episodes, including guests, challenges, wins and eliminations.  This is the home of GastroGays' MasterChef Australia content, coinciding with the UK/Ireland broadcast this August for the next couple of months. We are watching the series as it broadcasts in the UK & Ireland on "W", weeknights at 7pm.  Follow at @gastrogays on Instagram Visit our Substack at chippaper.substack.com buymeacoffee.com/gastrogays  ---- Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/qube/play License code: LFC0NPFOIOL4CRVR

Three on three, we kick off this week's episodes with a mystery box! A trio of visiting chefs from Nomad in Sydney and Melbourne take blind inspiration and try to keep those pesky contestants off the gantry for immunity. Warning: Spoilers ahead –– this a post-broadcast reaction podcast so we will be discussing details of broadcasted episodes, including guests, challenges, wins and eliminations.  This is the home of GastroGays' MasterChef Australia content, coinciding with the UK/Ireland broadcast this August for the next couple of months. We are watching the series as it broadcasts in the UK & Ireland on "W", weeknights at 7pm.  Follow at @gastrogays on Instagram Visit our Substack at chippaper.substack.com buymeacoffee.com/gastrogays  ---- Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/qube/play License code: LFC0NPFOIOL4CRVR

Again with the Kath & Kim references... we've made it to 20 episodes and there's 30 left to go in this season! Expect many more K&K quotes throughout... For this eppie it's an elimination which begins with a dreamy (for us) cheese taste test before five contestants fight for their lives by remaking nostalgic classics.   Warning: Spoilers ahead –– this a post-broadcast reaction podcast so we will be discussing details of broadcasted episodes, including guests, challenges, wins and eliminations.  This is the home of GastroGays' MasterChef Australia content, coinciding with the UK/Ireland broadcast this August for the next couple of months. We are watching the series as it broadcasts in the UK & Ireland on "W", weeknights at 7pm.  Follow at @gastrogays on Instagram Visit our Substack at chippaper.substack.com buymeacoffee.com/gastrogays  ---- Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/qube/play License code: LFC0NPFOIOL4CRVR

No sashaying away in this episode as it's a strut right through to immunity for half the contestants, and this is a one flambéing hot challenge. In this episode we talk about our adoration for Kath & Kim and as WTF is Sarsaparilla?? We award our smash and pass dishes and we talk about the beat the chef challenge with legendary French chef Gabriel Gaté!   Warning: Spoilers ahead –– this a post-broadcast reaction podcast so we will be discussing details of broadcasted episodes, including guests, challenges, wins and eliminations.  This is the home of GastroGays' MasterChef Australia content, coinciding with the UK/Ireland broadcast this August for the next couple of months. We are watching the series as it broadcasts in the UK & Ireland on "W", weeknights at 7pm.  Follow at @gastrogays on Instagram Visit our Substack at chippaper.substack.com buymeacoffee.com/gastrogays  ---- Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/qube/play License code: LFC0NPFOIOL4CRVR

SERVICE! The contestants are off-site in this challenge during nostalgia week and in the kitchens of a Melbourne suburbs institution, Mei Jing.  In two teams they duke it out putting their twists onto classic Chinese restaurant menu dishes... with varying levels of success, and in the judging a whole course gets taken off the bill. Listen in for our thoughts and reaction, plus the dishes we'd SMASH and PASS in this eppie...   Warning: Spoilers ahead –– this a post-broadcast reaction podcast so we will be discussing details of broadcasted episodes, including guests, challenges, wins and eliminations.  This is the home of GastroGays' MasterChef Australia content, coinciding with the UK/Ireland broadcast this August for the next couple of months. We are watching the series as it broadcasts in the UK & Ireland on "W", weeknights at 7pm.  Follow at @gastrogays on Instagram Visit our Substack at chippaper.substack.com buymeacoffee.com/gastrogays  ---- Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/qube/play License code: LFC0NPFOIOL4CRVR

The Vienetta of your dreams enters the MasterChef Australia kitchen in this episode, where three contestants duke it out in a pressure test to ensure survival. Plus, we take stock of how the judges be judging and also indicate who we think overall is leading the pack right now and those who are trailing behind a bit... Warning: Spoilers ahead –– this a post-broadcast reaction podcast so we will be discussing details of broadcasted episodes, including guests, challenges, wins and eliminations.  This is the home of GastroGays' MasterChef Australia content, coinciding with the UK/Ireland broadcast this August for the next couple of months. We are watching the series as it broadcasts in the UK & Ireland on "W", weeknights at 7pm.  Follow at @gastrogays on Instagram Visit our Substack at chippaper.substack.com buymeacoffee.com/gastrogays  ---- Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/qube/play License code: LFC0NPFOIOL4CRVR

Like shopping at a German discount store, we're introduced to several off-brand cereals in this week's mystery box, which is all about turning iconic childhood cereal styles into delicious dishes.. This challenge kicks off 'Nostalgia Week' and as Russell always declares it was a "good episode" (even if Patrick doesn't agree) and we talk about what we would do with this challenge, we smash and pass certain dishes and we even manage to disect the intricacies of Zonfrillo claps, Hollywood handshakes and Preston spoon banging....   Warning: Spoilers ahead –– this a post-broadcast reaction podcast so we will be discussing details of broadcasted episodes, including guests, challenges, wins and eliminations.  This is the home of GastroGays' MasterChef Australia content, coinciding with the UK/Ireland broadcast this August for the next couple of months. We are watching the series as it broadcasts in the UK & Ireland on "W", weeknights at 7pm.  Follow at @gastrogays on Instagram Visit our Substack at chippaper.substack.com buymeacoffee.com/gastrogays  ---- Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/qube/play License code: LFC0NPFOIOL4CRVR

One challenge, two parts! In this episode the contestants are gifted the luxury of time –– allowing an overnight pause between two stints in the kitchen to really slow cook.   We delve into the majesty of slow-cooked lamb and we urge all and sundry to protect Robbie at all costs. We circle back on the thrills and spills of pasta so far this season and we want to try Brent's confit duck dish immediately.  Warning: Spoilers ahead –– this a post-broadcast reaction podcast so we will be discussing details of broadcasted episodes, including guests, challenges, wins and eliminations.  This is the home of GastroGays' MasterChef Australia content, coinciding with the UK/Ireland broadcast this August for the next couple of months. We are watching the series as it broadcasts in the UK & Ireland on "W", weeknights at 7pm.  Follow at @gastrogays on Instagram Visit our Substack at chippaper.substack.com buymeacoffee.com/gastrogays  ---- Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/qube/play License code: LFC0NPFOIOL4CRVR

BIG suprises on the bench this episode with an immunity cook and a dashing Spanish chef to go head-to-head with! In this episode we mention once or twice we wrote a cookbook on deep-frying as we judge the contestants' use of appliances in the first challenge. We also discuss what WE would spend the 10k Harvey Norman prize on first and we may have orchestrated a press trip to Australia in the process... Then, we dive into fish and unusual ingredient pairings in the Beat The Chef challenge! Warning: Spoilers ahead –– this a post-broadcast reaction podcast so we will be discussing details of broadcasted episodes, including guests, challenges, wins and eliminations.  This is the home of GastroGays' MasterChef Australia content, coinciding with the UK/Ireland broadcast this August for the next couple of months. We are watching the series as it broadcasts in the UK & Ireland on "W", weeknights at 7pm.  Follow at @gastrogays on Instagram Visit our Substack at chippaper.substack.com buymeacoffee.com/gastrogays  ---- Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/qube/play License code: LFC0NPFOIOL4CRVR

Second service of the season, this time super-sized! The contestants head to Melbourne street food market Graceland to compete in two teams catering for "thousands" 1,600 dishes left the kitchen and in this episode we keep a keen eye on who shone with leadership and vision and who faded into the background. Our dreams will now be of braised Chinese-style pork belly and Thai beef salad but hold the burnt garlic-tainted rice, por favor.  Warning: Spoilers ahead –– this a post-broadcast reaction podcast so we will be discussing details of broadcasted episodes, including guests, challenges, wins and eliminations.  This is the home of GastroGays' MasterChef Australia content, coinciding with the UK/Ireland broadcast this August for the next couple of months. We are watching the series as it broadcasts in the UK & Ireland on "W", weeknights at 7pm.  Follow at @gastrogays on Instagram Visit our Substack at chippaper.substack.com buymeacoffee.com/gastrogays  ---- Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/qube/play License code: LFC0NPFOIOL4CRVR

Big lamington energy with this one, it's pressure test time in the MasterChef Australia kitchen! In this episode we speculate over a new drag queen on the scene, Sharon tres-lecki, and we go all size queen judging how each of the contestants cut their sponge. We repeat the oft-delivered advice from many teachers of "read the recipe" and we ponder about how woodwork class in school may ultimately help out in the technical end of cookery.... or maybe it hinders? Listen in to find out...  Warning: Spoilers ahead –– this a post-broadcast reaction podcast so we will be discussing details of broadcasted episodes, including guests, challenges, wins and eliminations.  This is the home of GastroGays' MasterChef Australia content, coinciding with the UK/Ireland broadcast this August for the next couple of months. We are watching the series as it broadcasts in the UK & Ireland on "W", weeknights at 7pm.  Follow at @gastrogays on Instagram Visit our Substack at chippaper.substack.com buymeacoffee.com/gastrogays  ---- Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/qube/play License code: LFC0NPFOIOL4CRVR

We've arrived into BIG week with a giant mystery box taking over the MasterChef Australia kitchen! In this episode we delve into the minutiae of ice cream sandwiches, savour the ideas of twists on Snickers and melktart and lament some of the pasta approaches (in this, the season of pasta, it seems! MAKE IT STOP!) We love the bigger is better approach to this week's mystery box and, of course, we give our Smash and Pass to a pair of dishes each and we tell you what WE would have made with the choice of ingredients.    Warning: Spoilers ahead –– this a post-broadcast reaction podcast so we will be discussing details of broadcasted episodes, including guests, challenges, wins and eliminations.  This is the home of GastroGays' MasterChef Australia content, coinciding with the UK/Ireland broadcast this August for the next couple of months. We are watching the series as it broadcasts in the UK & Ireland on "W", weeknights at 7pm.  Follow at @gastrogays on Instagram Visit our Substack at chippaper.substack.com buymeacoffee.com/gastrogays  ---- Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/qube/play License code: LFC0NPFOIOL4CRVR

The chopping block has been set up again and we have another elimination to endure. Before we get there we have a friendly face return, none other than OG winner Julie Goodwin who sets a taste test challenge of her seafood stew, which features 50 ingredients and between them the contestants have to ascertain what all the ingredients are. The first five to guess incorrectly immediately go into round two.. In the second part of the episode we see an eliminated contestant return and vye for the chance to re-join the competition.  Warning: Spoilers ahead –– this a post-broadcast reaction podcast so we will be discussing details of broadcasted episodes, including guests, challenges, wins and eliminations.  This is the home of GastroGays' MasterChef Australia content, coinciding with the UK/Ireland broadcast this August for the next couple of months. We are watching the series as it broadcasts in the UK & Ireland on "W", weeknights at 7pm.  Follow at @gastrogays on Instagram Visit our Substack at chippaper.substack.com buymeacoffee.com/gastrogays  ---- Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/qube/play License code: LFC0NPFOIOL4CRVR

Back in to win, this episode delves into the immunity challenge set by none other than judge Andy Allen, all about the majesty of the humble chook: rotisserie chicken. In round two we see the winner of the immunity face off against Andy's old mucker, Darren Robertson of the Three Blue Ducks with a challenge that pits ingredients against time....   Warning: Spoilers ahead –– this a post-broadcast reaction podcast so we will be discussing details of broadcasted episodes, including guests, challenges, wins and eliminations.   This is the home of GastroGays' MasterChef Australia content, coinciding with the UK/Ireland broadcast this August for the next couple of months. We are watching the series as it broadcasts in the UK & Ireland on "W", weeknights at 7pm.  Follow at @gastrogays on Instagram Visit our Substack at chippaper.substack.com buymeacoffee.com/gastrogays  ---- Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/qube/play License code: LFC0NPFOIOL4CRVR

SERVICE! Did someone call for 'legends'? MasterChef Australia alumni Matt Sinclair and Sashi Cheliah return to mentor rival kitchens as we delve into the first service challenge of season 15!   Warning: Spoilers ahead –– this a post-broadcast reaction podcast so we will be discussing details of broadcasted episodes, including guests, challenges, wins and eliminations.    This is the home of GastroGays' MasterChef Australia content, coinciding with the UK/Ireland broadcast this August for the next couple of months. We are watching the series as it broadcasts in the UK & Ireland on "W", weeknights at 7pm.  Follow at @gastrogays on Instagram Visit our Substack at chippaper.substack.com buymeacoffee.com/gastrogays  ---- Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/qube/play License code: LFC0NPFOIOL4CRVR

MasterChef Australia Back To Win champion Emelia Jackson is back in the kitchen to share the secrets to her success! With the isolating contestants back in the kitchen, this is an elimination challenge for those who didn't take part on Sunday's one in episode 5. Sweet or savoury - contestants choice, but the brief was to put their spin on Emelia's foofproof recipe. 9 go down to 3, which leads to an elimination...sort of?    Warning: Spoilers ahead –– this a post-broadcast reaction podcast so we will be discussing details of broadcasted episodes, including guests, challenges, wins and eliminations.    This is the home of our MasterChef Australia content, coinciding with the UK/Ireland broadcast this August for the next couple of months. We are watching the series as it broadcasts in the UK & Ireland on "W", weeknights at 7pm.  Follow at @gastrogays on Instagram Visit our Substack at chippaper.substack.com buymeacoffee.com/gastrogays  ---- Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/qube/play License code: LFC0NPFOIOL4CRVR

Get in Poh-sition! It's a brand new week and the surprises keep coming: we'lll have some winners and fan favourites returning to all week to inspire with secrets of their successes! Welcome to Under Bench Staples, a post-show podcast by Russell Alford and Patrick Hanlon, where we're dishing on each episode of Season 15 of MasterChef Australia...   Poh Ling Yeow returns to the MasterChef Australia kitchen and sets the contestants a mystery box all about making under bench (pantry) staples sing!    Warning: Spoilers ahead –– this a post-broadcast reaction podcast so we will be discussing details of broadcasted episodes, including guests, challenges, wins and eliminations.    This is the home of our MasterChef Australia content, coinciding with the UK/Ireland broadcast this August for the next couple of months. We are watching the series as it broadcasts in the UK & Ireland on "W", weeknights at 7pm.  Follow at @gastrogays on Instagram Visit our Substack at chippaper.substack.com buymeacoffee.com/gastrogays  ---- Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/qube/play License code: LFC0NPFOIOL4CRVR