It was the first elimination on MasterChef Australia 2023 and we welcomed past winner and dessert queen Emilia Jackson back to the kitchen.

Emilia was tasked with bringing her “secret to success” which happened to be her infamous eclair, made with her signature choux pastry.

“The only choux I’ve heard in the past are the ones you wear on your feet,” Declan said.

With eight contestants in the first round and 75 minutes to complete it, the clock was set and off they went.

But even though they had the recipe, all of the contestants struggled to make their choux pastry in time; however, it was Rhiannon who struggled the most.

Elimination round one — judging

After a stressful bake, Declan was up first. He created a Profiterole filled with a vanilla almond cream and butterscotch sauce with toasted almonds.

Even though the judges were expecting a banoffee pie, Jock said that “considering it was his first time” he had done a “brilliant job”.

Larissa was up next with the only savoury dish of the round — Fried Chicken Chipotle Choux Buns. Unfortunately, the sauce let her down because it was too sweet.

Theo then presented his Lemon Meringue Eclair with Jock saying he “loved everything” about the curd, while Antonio presented a Hazelnut Paris-Brest (a classic French pastry) and Jessica, a Peanut Butter and Jam choux, which Jock called “perfect”.

Then it was time for Kat.

Kat delivered a Lemon Marscapone Choux Bun, and after saying that she had practised at home and had had “a few fails”, this time was a different story.

Andy called them “perfection” and she was sent straight to the gantry, avoiding elimination.

Alice then presented an Oolong Tea Choux, while Melissa loved the concept, the matcha and the oolong were too strong and Jock said they were “fighting each other”.

Finally, Rhiannon shared her Mango Curd and Lime Meringue Choux Buns. Unfortunately, her curd was curdled and the choux underbaked.

Elimination round two

Unsuccessful in the first round, Rhiannon, Larissa and Alice were sent to the next one.

For the second round, they had the chance to make the choux again; however, if they made savoury in round one, they had to make sweet this time and vice versa.

Alice decided on something simple, but was worried she was overthinking it while Larissa struggled with baking something sweet.

Elimination round two — judging

Rhiannon was first in the elimination room. She presented a Mexican Prawn Choux with an Avocado Cream.

“This is me,” she said.

“That’s what happens when you stay true to yourself,” Andy said while tasting her dish, with Jock saying he “loved it”.

Next up was Alice. Her dish was a Bacon and Egg Choux with scrambled eggs, caramelised onions and bacon.

“It’s more of an onion jam choux,” Andy said, while calling it “the best choux of the day”. Jock said he “quite liked it” and the onion was the “star of the show”. Emilia said it “surprised her”.

Finally, Larissa presented the judges with a Lemon Meringue Curd Choux Pastry.

“It’s been a day,” she said.

The judges agreed there wasn’t enough curd in the pastries and Melissa said it “just all feels… fine?!”.

Who was sent home?

Unfortunately, having a “fine” dish on elimination day meant that Larissa was the first to be eliminated; however, she was lucky enough to have the second chance apron!

“Everybody thinks I’m going home, but I’m not!” she said. “I have to keep it a secret for now, but I’ll be back in the next elimination to fight my way back in.”

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