It’s Hunted Australia episode two and one-half of a fugitive duo has been caught, leaving the other to run to safety.
Meanwhile, Byron and Tanase, the dynamic brother-sister duo, outsmarted the Hunters by taunting them with an epic Instagram live session, while gamers Ben and Callum launched a full-blown cyber warfare, and Glenn and Taylah kept the Hunters on their toes.
Here are all the highlights from Hunted Australia, episode two!
Ten
Byron and Tanase narrowly escape the Hunters
After their sassy Instagram taunt, Hunter Teams Alpha, Charlie, and Delta bolted towards Byron and Tanase. It was a close shave, as the siblings miraculously slipped out through a secret exit and hopped into a getaway car, racing straight to a safe haven offered by their Ghanaian pals.
As the scent grew colder, Chief Dr David Craig rallied up the crew of professional Hunters to follow some fresh leads.
Byron and Tanase. Ten
Holly and Josh narrowly escape the hunters
Meanwhile, Holly and Josh’s escape plan took an unexpected twist when their desired camping spot turned out to be closed. With nowhere to pitch their tent, they ended up seeking refuge at their buddy Kester’s house but little did they know, Kester’s sketchy antics unintentionally bought them some precious time as they made a daring getaway, leaving the Hunters hot on their heels.
Holly and the closed campsite. Ten
Megan and Gracie’s game of cat and mouse
The team’s attention suddenly shifts to the aunty-niece beauty duo, Megan and Gracie, who seemed to have vanished into thin air.
Eager to escape the persistent Hunters, the dynamic duo thought they had outsmarted everyone when their well-connected friend, Isaac, arranged a private plane getaway to the picturesque Mornington Peninsula.
Disguised as an elderly lady and a youthful tradie, they embarked on a ferry journey to Queenscliff, blissfully unaware that HQ had been hot on their trail, investigating their rendezvous with contact Kim.
Their trusted ally Ben eagerly awaited their arrival at the ferry terminal, ready to whisk them away to Kim’s work address — an art studio in Breakwater, Geelong.
Megan and Gracie. Ten
Team Bravo interrogated Kim; however, hit a dead end until they stumbled upon her secret hideaway.
Racing after her every move, Team Bravo eagerly anticipated the moment she would lead them to the Fugitives, only to be greeted by an empty art studio.
Thanks to CCTV footage, they discovered Megan and Gracie’s getaway in a separate vehicle.
Panic ensued as Megan quickly dialled Ben for a backup plan, setting the stage for a daring escape. With Team Bravo closing in on Ben’s place, Megan and Gracie cleverly slipped away into a neighbour’s house; however, just when they thought they were safe, HQ pinpointed Ben’s drop-off location — a caravan park in Wincheslea, leading to the ultimate game of cat and mouse.
Unfortunately, Gracie fell into their clutches, but Megan managed to evade capture by a whisker!
17 Fugitives remain on the run as Hunted continues….
Hunted Australiaairs on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights on 10 and 10Play.
It’s Million Dollar Island Australia 2023 episode 12 and only 10 players remain out of the initial hundred.
What will Chelsea, the wheel-winner, choose? Will she play it safe for a spot in the grand finale or risk it all for the money?
Emotions run high as the richest person on the Island becomes our first finalist, and one player considers making the ultimate sacrifice to save a friend.
Here are 14 thoughts I had during episode eleven of Million Dollar Island Australia 2023, episode 12!
1. It feels like it’s nearly the grand final, but there are still ten people left, how does that work?
2. Honestly, this entire season I think Chelsea’s the only person to have significantly used strategy.
Million Dollar Island. Seven.
3. So, Chelsea can either take a risk by nominating herself and risking her place in the game with the opportunity to get more money, or play it safe and keep herself out of noms. Call me crazy, but I feel like she’s going to make a bold move.
4. Looks like I learnt nothing watching every episode this season. Chelsea has kept herself safe and the pot small by nominating people with the lowest-value bracelets. Yawn.
Million Dollar Island. Seven.
The Challenge
5. Brett never seems to take a day off with the insults. His latest jab? “I’m hoping Shaun wins this challenge, I don’t want to be left alone in the camp with Chelsea, it’s like dealing with 12 wives and they’re all angry.”
6. Um, what? Why did Shaun… lick his bracelet before putting it in the pot? He’s lucky we’re not still in 2020.
Million Dollar Island. Seven.
7. The balance beam challenge is very clearly going in Go Kart Champion Alice’s favour.
8. Alice wins and Shaun’s sent home. Meanwhile, Karla (and the other nominations) are sent through to the Survival Challenge – something she’s not too happy about.
Survival Challenge
9. I’m confused why Brett, Matty and Chelsea are all trying to team up together because they’re the richest players. Shouldn’t they pick the weakest players to make their direct competitors?
10. Gahhh no. Brett just ate a maggot. RIP me.
Million Dollar Island. Seven.
11. It’s so obvious that ‘expedition leader‘ Karla thinks she’s going to smoke the two ‘soccer mums’ (as Brett called them) and win the Survival Challenge.
12. Rachel, whose actual title on the show is Stay At Home Mum, wipes the smug smile off Karla’s face by winning the challenge and all but ruining Karla’s chances of staying on the island.
Million Dollar Island. Seven.
Elimination
13. Brett seems to think we’ll be switching out ‘Soccer Mum’ Rachel for ‘Soccer Mum’ Georgie but I think Kylie will hand her bracelet to Karla.
14. Welp, I’m wrong again. Karla and Georgie are out of here. Here’s hoping my predictions are more on the money in the finale (???) next week.
Million Dollar Island Australia continues on July 25 at 7.30pm on 7 and 7Plus.
The Below Deck Down Under season two cast already has some familiar faces in the form of Chief Stew Aesha Scott and Captain Jason Chambers, however, it’s been revealed that another Below Deck franchise member will be appearing in the upcoming season.
During an interview with Chattr before the episode premiered, Aesha let it slip that fans can expect to see someone on the show who isn’t on the official cast list just yet.
“There’s drama the whole way through, but drama that you haven’t seen before. Massive ups, massive downs and there’s a crossover with someone very familiar to everyone that will be very juicy,” she said.
“Everything is bigger and better and more entertaining [in this season], in my opinion. I actually think that it’s one of the best seasons of Below Deck ever, it’s so good and it’s so funny too,” she added.
Aesha. Hayu.
Who will be the new familiar face joining Below Deck Down Under crew?
In the Below Deck Down Under season two trailer, Captain Jason tells one of the crew members that he is “going to terminate their employment”. So, the mystery crew member could be coming in as a replacement for the fired worker.
All signs point to the replacement being Joao Franco, who was the lead-deckhand-come-bosun on seasons three and four of Below Deck Med.
Joao. Hayu.
Filming for Below Deck Down Under season two kicked off in April. Interestingly, at the end of last year, Joao shared a mysterious post on Instagram that mentioned a sneaky surprise.
“Very grateful for everything and everyone; old friends and family, new friends and family… truly had one of the best years so far and I cannot wait for next year’s adventures!
“Starting off [the year] with a skiing trip, a new captain job on an awesome brand new 43-meter [sic] super yacht, getting my master’s license [sic], and a few other sneaky surprises,” he wrote at the time.
However, there’s also a chance that the unknown crew member could be season one star Culver Bradbury returning for a second season with Captain Jason and Aesha. The American deckie was spotted in Australia while the season was filming.
Culver. Hayu.
Other possibilities include New Zealand engineer Colin Macrae who’s been on Below Deck Sailing Yachtseasons one, two and three (fingers crossed), and Aussie Chef Iliesha Dell who has just appeared on Below Deck Sailing Yacht season four.
Below Deck Down Under season two airs on Hayu on July 18.
In what feels like a severely overdue move, The Inspired Unemployed are finally releasing a TV show, and the trailer is a lol and a half.
The Inspired Unemployed (Impractical) Jokers is an eight-part series that follows the Inspired Unemployed, otherwise known as Jack Steele and Matt Ford along with their friends Liam, Dom, and Falcon as they play pranks on each other in public settings.
Paramount+
Speaking of their new show, Steele explained to Stellar that the men will be improvising their pranks with the assistance of their friends and co-stars.
“There are challenges,” he said. “One of you goes out at a time, and you pretend to be people you’re not: a waitress, golf instructor, massage therapist … And you have an earpiece in, and your other mates tell you what to do and say, everything.”
“When we got the [television] opportunity, we thought, we’re not taking this for granted,” Steele added. “We got, like, improv coaches. We need to make the most of this times a hundred.”
Who are the Inspired Unemployed?
Steele and Ford are former tradies turned social media phenomenon best known by their moniker Inspired Unemployed.
The Aussie duo began posting on social media when they were on holiday in New Zealand so that their family and friends could see what they were up to. Their following count started growing slowly at the start but quickly picked up traction and they now boast over 1.7 million followers on Instagram and 1.6 million on TikTok.
The pair make hilarious short videos, often with pop culture references, that they regularly post to their social media platforms.
Is there a trailer?
There sure is, you can watch it below.
The Inspired Unemployed (Impractical) Jokers premieres Wednesday, 9 August on 10 And 10 Play, and the entire series drops on Paramount+ at the same time.
Cath and Kel were the first Fugitives to be caught during the Hunted Australia 2023 premiere. While their initial burst of laughter upon being caught by the Hunters looked light-hearted, the two women reveal that the entire experience felt very real.
The long-time friends were both fans of the show, and decided to audition on a whim, thinking that their likelihood of being cast was low. However, Cath and Kel made the cut and began preparing for the experience.
During an interview with Chattr post their elimination, Cath said that the days and weeks before filming began felt like a game, but once they began filming the experience felt akin to an actual fugitive evading authorities.
“It did [feel like a game] to start with when you’re building up, but that moment when you’re on the boat, and they’re about to pull into the dock and there’s a helicopter hovering It kicks off this adrenaline inside your body that you would never, I can’t remember ever feeling that before,” she said.
“There were drones popping in as well. It was very heightened and everybody felt that way, looking around the group the 10 teams all had the same feeling. When they said ‘blast’ and all just have to bolt!”
Kath and Kel on Hunted. Ten.
Why didn’t the mums delete the WhatsApp backup?
One of Cath and Kel’s major downfalls was the fact that they didn’t delete the backup of their WhatsApp chats. Digital Forensics were able to easily restore the chat history, and find extensive details about where the Fugitives were trying to hide.
Hunted. Ten.
Looking back, Cath said that she didn’t know that backups were able to be restored.
“It didn’t cross my mind. I mean, if you’re going to delete something? Isn’t it just deleted?” She said.
“George [an associate] has written everything you can think of and Cath’s deleted it. For someone who’s not very tech-savvy, that’s it. But clearly, that’s not it. We found that out the hard way,” Kel added.
Kel’s hospital trip during the first episode
Unfortunately for Kel, she didn’t get the chance to sit down with loved ones and watch her TV debut, as she had to rush her daughter to the hospital.
“I’ve got a picture with Cath with a whole bunch of people sitting around having a bit of a watch party and I’m in hospital with my daughter for hours and hours and hours because she had this really bad what we thought was tonsillitis, but it ended up being glandular fever!”
Hunted Australia 2023 airs at 7.30pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday on 10 and 10Play.
It’s episode one of Hunted Australia 2023 and already, the Hunters have captured their first team.
To recap (before the actual recap), 10 fearless teams have embarked on a heart-stopping challenge, striving to avoid capture for 21 days armed with only $300 and an overnight bag.
The Fugitives were on a mission to outsmart the formidable Hunters, led by The Chief, legendary former Detective Superintendent Dr. David Craig.
Ben Owen, Dr David Craig and Reece Dewar OAM. Ten
Here are the highlights from the season premiere of Hunted Australia 2023.
Ground Hunters, Team Cyber, were laser focussed on infiltrating the Fugitives’ electronic devices. They discovered booby traps set by gamer duo Ben and Callum, which put a target on their back.
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Team Alpha set their sights on Glenn and Taylah
The Hunters struck gold when they cracked open Glenn and Taylah’s vulnerable Melbourne network, intercepting messages from their contact, NRL player Jayden Nokorima.
Hiding out in Bendingo, Glenn and Taylah became the target of Team Alpha who tracked down the van they used in their escape. The investigation led them to question Gary, an associate who had been assisting the fugitive pair.
Team Alpha then launched into a high-speed chase, fixated on a Chevrolet that held the potential to find elusive Fugitives; however, it turned out to be a dead end.
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Byron and Tanase took a huge gamble
Daring siblings Byron and Tanase, staged the first-ever live taunt in a buzzing inner suburbs bar, taking a huge gamble within arm’s reach of three Ground Hunter teams. As the clock ticked, HQ was left hoping to catch the brother and sister duo next.
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Cath and Kel were captured
Lifelong friends Cath and Kel provoked HQ with Where’s Wally pictures sent via Facebook; however, their risky move inadvertently led the Hunters directly to their close confidant, Georgina, plotting to aid the dynamic duo.
Unfortunately, Georgina’s seemingly secure home in Prahran, was soon cornered by relentless Hunters, and their race was over!
Cath and Kel and the Ground Hunters. Ten
With 19 days remaining and 18 Fugitives still on the run, the question remains: who will continue to evade capture?
Hunted Australia 2023 airs at 7.30pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday on 10 and 10Play.
It’s episode five of Dancing with the Stars Australia 2023 and after round two of the Semi-Finals, the Grand Finalists have now been locked and loaded!
The second group of stars took to the dancefloor with Virginia Gay performing a perfect-scoring Foxtrot, which judge Sharna Burgess described as “damn sexy”.
Human Nature‘s Phil Burton wowed the judges with his own enchanting Foxtrot with judge Todd McKenney saying that their routine was so good he wanted to learn it!
Next up was Laura Byrne, whose nerves got the better of her as she blanked part of her Cha Cha.
Then, Sally Pearson performed a ferocious Tango, overcoming a few mistakes to get it done.
The judges were in awe over Christie Whelan Browne’s unique take on the Samba; however, Todd believed that further connection with her partner Craig would have earned her a perfect score.
Mid-way through, Sharna stepped out from behind the desk to perform alongside the female professional dancers, to perform a sizzling routine before Pia Miranda took on a Paso Doble which transported us to Transylvania. Mark Wilson said it was “her best routine she’s done so far”.
The Verdict
After the audience voted, Virginia and Phil were the first couples through to the Grand Finale, while Sally was eliminated.
Competing in a dance-off, Pia, Laura and Christie hit the floor once again with the judges agreeing that Christie must go through to the Grand Finale.
The final leaderboard for the night:
Virginia Gay and Ian Waite – 40
Phil Burton and Ash-Leigh Hunter – 39
Christie Whelan Browne and Craig Monley – 37
Pia Miranda and Declan Taylor – 33
Sally Pearson and Mitch Kirkby – 31
Laura Byrne and Danil Saveliev – 19
Watch the Dancing with the Stars Australia 2023 Grand Finale on Sunday, July 23 at 7.00pm on 7 and 7Plus.
Some of the country’s biggest stars are battling it out on the d-floor to see who will be crowned Australia’s champion during Dancing With The Stars Australia 2023 and each week, stars will exit stage left and will be eliminated from the competition.
During the season, contestants and their professional dancing partners are putting on one hell of a show for judges Craig Revel Horwood, Sharna Burgess, Todd McKenney, and Mark Wilson.
While they may be critiquing with their paddles, it’s the audience that will decide who will head into the elimination round every Sunday.
After taking part in a final performance, the pair that receives the lowest score from the judges is sent home.
Here’s the order of who left Dancing With The Stars Australia 2023?
July 23 – Grand Final
WINNER: Phil Burton
Runner-Up: Emily Weir
Emily Weir
Paulini Curunevali
Virginia Gay
Mary Coustas
Christie Whelan Browne
July 17 – Elimination 4
Sally Pearson
Pia Miranda
Laura Byrne
July 16 – Elimination 3
James Magnussen
Issa Shultz
Gavin Wanganeen
July 9 – Elimination 2
Charlie Albone
July 2 – Elimination 1
Matt Preston
Watch Dancing with the Stars Australia 2023 on Sundays at 7.00pm on 7 and 7Plus.
Hunted Australia 2023’s deputy of operations Reece DewarOAM has opened up about the technical processes that the Hunters use and teased what fans can expect this season.
During an appearance on Chattr’spodcast The Entertainment Hotline, Dewar said that this year’s Fugitives can expect some new technologies to come into play that will help the Hunters track them down.
“I think you’re gonna see more tech come into play. It’s gonna be a whole lot more dynamic than season one. And the Hunters are definitely on the hunt this year and they want a clean sweep,” he said.
Reece Dewar OAM. Ten
Dewar also explained that the Hunters on the show have specific processes in place that are used in the real world to find fugitives.
“The Powers of State that we replicate for the hunting of the Fugitives, those are things that have been used in the past. I’m not saying they’re being used now or in the future, but definitely in the past.
“What we try and do is protect what we call TTPs. Tactics, techniques and procedures of current use. So we don’t want to shine a light on things that are being conducted now. Because if we do that, then we could compromise those people that are still in the job today of serving our nation,” he added.
Are the Hunters real?
Further, he said that the “dynamic within the teams and the dynamic within the headquarters is quite real.”
“The people in the room and the people on the ground, they’re true operatives, they’re intelligence operatives, they’re analysts, they’re psych analysts, they’re cybersecurity professionals, every one of them has a very illustrious career and are at the front of their expertise.”
Dewar also pointed out that in “Military movies”, there’s a phrase that’s used called “flicking the switch”
“That’s when you are in immersed in an operation, you’re immersed in a task or a mission. I found that was the same thing that happened on the show. It was one of those things that once we walk on the floor, that’s it, we’ve flipped that switch, and we’re on,” he said.
Hunted Hunters. Ten
What can we expect in this season of Hunted?
Dewar pointed out that this year’s Fugitives should be expected to come into the show armed with knowledge from last season.
“These fugitives this year have a little bit of an advantage. And the reason why I say that is because they’ve seen the show. They’ve seen the first season and they’ve probably done a little bit more research now,” he said.
Fugitives from Hunted Australia 2023. Ten.
“They bring that to this season. They bring that knowledge and, in some cases, expertise to evade the hunters. But clearly, they won’t!” He added.
Hunted Australia 2023 airs at 7.30pm on Sunday and Monday on 10 and 10Play.
Listen to the full chat with Reece DewarOAM from Hunted Australia below.
MasterChef Australia 2023 runner-up Rhiannon Anderson has revealed that one of her first moves post-show will be writing a cookbook in honour of her late mum who was a chef.
“Mum used to work in pubs, she worked in bistros. But she put herself through [training] to become a chef while being a single mum,” she explained in an interview with Chattr.
“There was no beating around the bush with her. It was like we knew where we stood. Before she passed away, she was like, ‘Go and chase your dreams’. So I did and now I’m here.”
Rhiannon Anderson. Ten
In fact, Rhiannon said that her mum’s love of cooking helped encourage her own interest in it.
“I just remember growing up, she would have to work nights,” she said. “So I would have to cook for the siblings because I loved it even back then. All my memories are always based around food, which is pretty funny.”
The special note hidden in a recipe book
The home cook recently stumbled across a cookbook owned by her mum with a note from her mum’s sister, revealing a hidden dream.
“I found a book when she passed away and my aunty had written a note in it. It was from when mum was 19 years old, and it said, ‘I expect to see your name in print’.
“I was like, ‘Oh my god’. So, my mum actually always wanted to do a cookbook and I didn’t even know that. So, I would love to do a cookbook and dedicate it to her,” she said.
Rhiannon and Brent with MasterChef judges. Ten.
What kind of cookbook does Rhiannon want to write?
Rhiannon said that she already has an idea in mind for the cookbook, and wants it to link culture with culinary education.
“The cookbook I want to do would be how to cook different cuisines for my kids. Like, tonight, we’re going to Mexico. Tonight, we’re going to Thailand, let’s go to Italy. I liked to make them culturally aware through food,” she explained.
“I’d love to do a cookbook with all different cuisines in it, not just one. And my mum, her first job was in a curry house, so I would definitely put some of her recipes in there,” she added.
From watching Jock Zonfrillo’s emotional tribute to seeing Brent Draper take out the winning crown, the grand final episode of MasterChef Australia 2023 was an emotional one.
However, among those tender moments was adorable Alfie, Brent’s four-year-old son whose appearance in the episode stole the show!
During an interview with Chattr following his victory, Brent revealed that he had watched the final episode with his son and his family, as well as some of his MasterChef mates.
“I had a few mates from Season 13 and a few mates from Season 15 and the family, little Alfie,” he said.
“It was a very, very special moment. All he cares about is the trophy and when I lifted the trophy, he got little tears in his eyes. So it was a good moment.”
Brent and Alfie. Ten
Alfie enjoyed watching the finale with his dad
Brent admitted that throughout the season, Alfie was allowed to watch some of the episodes; however, his bedtime was always before the eliminations took place.
“He’s been allowed to sort of watch the season up until… Look, he can get away with quarter past eight, and then he’s got to hit the sack,” he said.
“So, he says he never really sees the end result of anything. Last night was a different story. He was allowed to obviously watch until the end and I think he was still partying and dancing around at about quarter past twelve, so he’s probably still asleep now.
“That was a big night for the little fella. He was having a good time!” he laughed.
Brent, Alfie and Shonleigh. Ten
Brent cooked off against Rhiannon Anderson during the over two challenges, winning the competition with a score of 63/70 versus Rhiannon’s 52/70.
However, it was having his family up in the gantry that meant everything to him.
“I always love to cook with emotion and having the family there was one of the reasons why the cook went so well,” he revealed.
Not only did he win, but he also pocketed a cool $250,000 in prize money, cash that he will use to start a cookbook inspired by his battle with mental health.
The MasterChefAustralia 2023 Grand Final was an emotional episode, as it was the final one that Jock Zonfrillo filmed before his sudden death on April 30.
“Food’s been my entire life,” Jock can be heard saying over the montage. “The most important thing to me is giving back in the kitchen.”
The sequence wrapped up with Jock saying: “For the last time, go home, make yourselves a cup of tea, put your feet up and be kind to each other, we’ll see you back here tomorrow”.
The tribute then showed a photo of the MasterChef cast and crew which was captioned with his famous saying, “Give it up for Jock Zonfrillo”.
What did Jock’s widow say about the episode?
Lauren Fried, The widow of the late MasterChefAustralia judge, shared a heartbreaking message on Instagram just hours before the cooking show’s grand finale aired.
Fried revealed that she and the children she shares with the late chef haven’t been emotionally ready to watch him during his final season of MasterChef.
“As a family, we’re going to try to watch it,” she explained. “We haven’t been able to watch this season just yet, something we will do, but we felt that tonight was an important one to watch.”
Lauren Fried. Instagram.
“Like most families, there are moments across the year that are special, and we used to really enjoy watching the finale together. It was something Jock was really proud of, it was a job he really loved doing, so we’ve decided we’re going to honour that and keep doing what we would normally do and watch the finale together.”
Fried added that while Zonfrillo may be gone, she plans on keeping his memory alive by sharing parts of his life with fans.
“So I just wanted to get on here and say, yes it is sad, but this is something he loved doing and this is not the end of the line for Jock at all. We have so many wonderful recipes of Jock having fun, of travel, of family stuff that I would love to share with everyone and it’s very much a way I can find meaning through all of this.”
It’s episode five of Dancing with the Stars Australia 2023 and three celebs have twirled their way straight through to the Grand Finale while Mary Coustas’ Effie makes an appearance!
During the episode, Emily Weir, Coustas, PauliniCurunevali, Gavin Wanganeen, James Magnussen and Issa Schultz performed, vying for a spot in the final episode.
Paulini kicked off the show with a Prom-inspired jive with the judges unanimously voting her through to the Finale.
James’ inspirational Viennese Waltz was next and was filled with jaw-dropping lifts.
Issa performed a Paso Doble, with the fan favourite bringing the house down! Unfortunately, Todd McKenney thought it was “humourous” and “cute”. Which no one wants to hear during a Paso!
Then, Home and Away star Emily took to the floor for an energetic Quickstep, proving there’s not one dance she can’t do!
Performing as her alter-ego Effie, Mary’ stole the show with a passionate Paso Doble.
And, overcoming a back injury, Gavin danced an inspiring Rumba.
The Verdict
With the judges and audience votes combined, Gavin, Issa and James were eliminated while Emily, Mary and Paulini were sent through to the Grand Finale.
The final leaderboard for the night:
Emily Weir and Lyu Masuda – 35
Mary Coustas and Aric Yegudkin – 34
James Magnussen and Natalie Lowe – 26
Paulini and Igor Ifliand – 25
Issa Shultz and Lily Cornish – 22
Gavin Wanganeen and Megan Wragg – 18
Watch Dancing with the Stars Australia 2023 continues on Monday, July 17 at 7.30pm on 7 and 7Plus.
It’s episode 50 and the Grand Finale of MasterChef Australia 2023 and the winner has finally been crowned!
Over 49 episodes, the two finalists, Brent Draperand Rhiannon Anderson, have conquered every challenge imaginable, facing off against professionals and being inspired by culinary legends as they have learnt and grown as cooks.
Brent’s son Alfie (who said he missed Mcdonald’s over his dad’s cooking), his wife Shonleigh and his mum and dad, Mandy and David, were on hand to cheer him on.
Alfie and Brent. Ten
Rhianno’s husband Deano, daughter Monique and two step-kids were also introduced.
Rhiannon and her family. Ten
However, before we got to which contestant walked away with the grand prize, here’s what happened during the MasterChef Australia 2023 Grand Final, which saw the final decider fought across two rounds.
The Challenges
In round one, judges AndyAllen, Melissa Leong, and JockZonfrillo (in his final episode before his passing) each presented a challenge to the finalists. A mystery box, a secret challenge, or an ingredient. Both Rhiannon and Brent had the power to remove one challenge, ultimately leaving them with a single task.
In round two, the finalists had to face a final Pressure Test challenge to recreate an intricate dish set by global superstar guest chef, Amaury Guichon, who joined the MasterChef kitchen for the very first time.
The cook who amassed the most points scored across the two rounds won the coveted trophy, claiming $250,000 in prize money and the title of MasterChef Australia winner, 2023!
Andy Allen, Rhiannon Anderson, Jock Zonfrillo, Brent Draper, Melissa Leong and the coveted MasterChef Australia 2023 trophy. Ten
Round One
Brent decided to get rid of Jock’s secret ingredient which turned out to be green ants and Rhiannon chose to turn down Andy’s Mystery Box. This meant they would be cooking Mel’s secret challenge – a dish that tells a story.
“A dish that tastes good is one thing, but a meaningful dish is even better,” Mel said.
With 75 minutes on the clock and 30 points on offer, it was time to cook!
Rhiannon decided to honour her mum and her growth in the competition. Choosing to cook a Crispy Pork Belly with Asian Style Caramel, something that represented both time spent with her late mother and how far she’d come.
Rhiannon. Ten
Brent decided to tell his story about re-joining the competition after leaving due to mental health reasons during his first season. He decided to reimagine his first dish in the 2023 competition and began cooking a Tamarind Glazed Pork Chop.
Brent. Ten
With no hiccups, apart from the judge’s concern over Rhiannon cooking the pork belly in the fryer. It was time for judging.
But before that, there was this:
Declan and Alfie. Ten
Brent’s dish was the first to be tasted. He cooked a Pork Chop with Tamarind Ketchup Glaze, Roasted Cabbage and Salsa.
Jock said he was “buying the story for a whole host of reasons” saying that he knew “exactly where you were” in the past and how far he’d come. He called it “blindingly perfect” and Mel called the pork “sweet and succulent” and the sauce had depth. Meanwhile, Andy gave him a round of applause.
Brent’s dish. Ten
Next up was Rhiannon with her Crispy Pork Belly, Citrus Caramel, Fennel and Orange Salad and Crispy Shallots.
Andy commended her for bringing the best-looking plate she’d ever delivered and said it was cooked really nicely and the sauce was “really interesting”. His only negative was that there wasn’t enough sauce.
Mel said the story she told was “one of the tropics” and the sauce “sung of sunshine”, but “most importantly it was a dish of love.”
Jock then said Rhiannon’s mum Sue “is very proud”, just as they were and said it was “very smart”.
Rhiannon’s dish. Ten
Round One — Points
Rhiannon
Jock – 8/10
Andy – 9/10
Mel – 8/10
Total: 25/30
Brent
Jock – 10/10
Andy – 10/10
Mel – 9/10
Total: 29/30
Round Two – The Cook
Brent and Rhiannon’s last cook in the kitchen was set by Chef Amaury, who set them one of his most difficult creations ever.
“Have you gone easy on them?” Jock asked, to which Chef Amaury said: “No”.
It was a Pocket Watch made of dessert and just look at this thing!
Amaury’s Pocket Watch. Ten
“I hope we don’t have to make that,” Rhiannon said. Spoiler alert! They did indeed have to make that.
The dessert was all about coffee and chocolate. It was composed of sugar work and chocolate work with a double choc chip cookie entremet, a chocolate hazelnut financier, chocolate cremeaux plus a chocolate mousse and chocolate glaze. But the hardest part? A sugar dome.
Amaury’s Pocket Watch. Ten
Brent and Rhiannon had five hours and 45 minutes to complete the cook with a total possible score of forty at the end of the challenge.
Brent was concerned that he wasn’t a dessert guy and that he hadn’t been in a Pressure Test before; hitting the first hurdle with his caramel which seized during the cook. However, he managed to save it.
Brent’s caramel. Ten
Then, Rhiannon struggled with her mousse, pouring extra cream in and with three hours on the clock, she had to… you guessed it! “MOTOR!”
While Amaury said tempering chocolate was a “quick job” (lol), Rhiannon found it a little difficult but managed to complete the task; with Brent powering through making a glossy glaze. He also managed to get through the “scary dip”, sticking a knife into the dessert and dipping it into the sauce.
Rhiannon on the other hand, poured the wrong sauce on the top of hers, with the gantry freaking out…
Rhiannon’s family and Rhiannon. Ten
Amaury then told her how to fix her error, telling her to double dip which wasn’t what the recipe ordered. She then managed to de-mould the chocolate crown without any issues.
While Rhiannon began on her sugar work, she seemed to be creating a faultless bubble…until it cracked. The stress!! While she had to start over, Brent pulled out the perfect dome.
Rhiannon, feeling deflated, struggled once again, not sure how to proceed.
“I need Rhiannon back right now,” Jock told her. “This is the Grand Finale…chirpy Rhiannon. Let’s go!”
And do you know what? It worked. She pulled out a gorgeous and clear dome.
Rhiannon. Ten
Brent; however, hit a roadblock. He overheated his sugar and it deflated. Unfortunately, with 30 minutes on the clock, he didn’t have time to create another one. He was also concerned about some of his chocolate work.
With 15 minutes left, Rhiannon was ready to assemble the clock face, realising she had a crack in her entremet, but her sugar dome looked fabu!
Brent’s sugar dome was a little disjointed and he once again became worried he’d really “stuffed it up” and was “devastated”.
Brent. Ten
“You can do it, dad!” Alfie called from the gantry as Brent realised his mistake and went to fix it.
Finally, their last cook for MasterChef Australia 2023 was over.
Round Two – The Judging
Rhiannon was stoked; however, Brent was overcome with emotion.
First up to the judges was Brent who spoke about his journey. While his sugar dome didn’t impress, it did snap, which they liked.
Amaury said overall Brent did a great job and the flavour was close to his, calling it “sexy”. Jock said he came away with a dish that ate really well and he couldn’t be prouder.
Mel said the “theatre” was great and Andy said the “construction” is what made it.
Brent’s dish. Ten
Rhiannon was up next, delivering her Pocket Watch to the four awaiting judges.
They said that it looked more “vintage” than Amaury’s, which was hilarious and very diplomatic.
Amaury said the texture was “all over the place” with Andy saying the biggest mistake was the chocolate dip before the glaze. Amaury then said the flavour was good and it was “still a win”.
Jock agreed, saying everything was all there and the flavour was within “10%” of Amaury’s while Mel also noted that the texture made it lose its “joy”.
Rhiannon’s dish. Ten
Round Two — Scoring
Rhiannon
Jock – 8/10
Andy – 7/10
Mel – 6/10
Amaury – 6/10
Total: 27/40
Overall: 52/70
Brent
Jock – 9/10
Andy – 8/10
Mel – 8/10
Amaury – 9/10
Total: 34/40
Overall: 63/70
The WINNER of MasterChef Australia 2023 is crowned!
After an incredible cook, it was time to announce the winner. As expected, Brent was named the victor with a grand total of 63 out of 70.
He won $250k, while Rhiannon walked away with $40k and our boy Declan Cleary was given $10k as the third-place holder.
Congratulations to Brent Draper, winner of MasterChef Australia 2023!
Winner of MasterChef Australia 2023, Brent. Ten
The season ended with the most stunning tribute to Jock Zonfrillo, sharing his mentorship, his cheeky nature and of course, his love of food.
Ending with, “Give it up for Jock Zonfrillo”, it was an emotional yet beautiful end to the season.
Ten
Author’s note: Chattr would also like to acknowledge Judge Jock Zonfrillo and his incredible MasterChef Australia legacy. He was an effervescent talent that will be greatly missed by fans across the country.
Stream all episodes of MasterChef Australia 2023 on 10Play.
Hunted Australia 2023 sees 18 regular(ish) Australians play an extreme game of hide and seek with some of the world’s most accomplished covert operations experts.
The premise of the reality show is that Fugitives must evade the Hunters for a total of 21 days. But where exactly can they go?
Well, the show is set in Victoria, and the Fugitives are allowed to hide absolutely anywhere within the state but must not cross the borderline.
Hunted. Ten.
Season one of the hit reality show was actually launched as a joint initiative with the tourism board, Visit Victoria and it will be the location of season two.
“We’re all about doing things differently at Visit Victoria, so as soon as we heard the premise of this new series, we wanted to put our stamp on it.” Visit Victoria chief marketing officer Shae Keenan toldThe Drum in 2022.
Marty Benson, The Content Director of Endemol Shine which is the company that produces Hunted, also said the partnership was a “perfect match”.
“Hunted feels right at home in Victoria, nestled amongst a packed calendar of world-class events. Whether it’s the AFL Grand Final, Melbourne Cup or Australian Open – we’re all about action thrillers that bring people to the edge of their seats, and we’re tipping this series will do just that.”
“The series sees fugitives traverse the state’s varied landscape trying to evade capture, and destinations quickly become strategic choices. Whether going bush, escaping to the coast or hiding in plain sight in the bustling CBD, the chance to explore Victoria’s unique offerings provided significant appeal in making Hunted here.”
Who are the Fugitives on Hunted?
Hunted. Ten.
This year’s fugitives look to give the Hunters a run for their money, as there are multiple ex-military personnel, IT pros, and a professional boxer among them.
Throughout MasterChef Australia 2023, Brent Draper has proved that he has a phenomenal range when it comes to his dishes.
The home cook has whipped up everything from an exotic Sri Lankan-Inspired Charred Squid to a carnivalesque Dagwood Dory.
Of course, between team challenges and multiple immunities, Brent hasn’t cooked solo in every single episode. However, he’s racked up a massive number of individual creations.
MasterChef. Ten.
Ahead of the finale, we’ve taken a trip down memory lane to look at every solo dish that Brent’s cooked in the MasterChef 2023 competition.
Fan favourite MasterChef Australia 2023 contestant, Declan Cleary, has reflected on the close bond he shared with late judge Jock Zonfrillo.
During an interview with Chattr after his elimination, Declan said that he forged a strong relationship with all the judges, but felt that he and Jock’s friendship was built on their similarities.
“They [the judges] definitely left their mark on me, especially Jock,” he said. “I think we both kicked it off [got along] because we’re just both a little bit cheeky and we both just had fun with it.”
Jock and Declan. MasterChef.
Declan explained that the further he went in the competition, the more he got to know Jock, Andy Allen and Melissa Leong.
“The support throughout the whole series was awesome. I think when you’ve got 18 contestants, it’s a bit hard to stand out,” he said.
“It was so lovely. Getting down to the top three, you did build a bit more of a personable relationship with the judges so you could just talk to them in ways you probably wouldn’t have that opportunity when there were 18 of you.”
Declan and Robbie Cooper’s “special” bond
It’s no secret that Declan and Robbie Cooper formed a close bond early on in the competition.
In fact, during Declan’s elimination, Robbie shed some tears when the judges asked him about their friendship.
“As we saw Robbie was lost for words last night and I was pretty lost for words myself so the emotions continued throughout the night,” Declan reflected.
“Robbie’s just a bloody legend and I feel like it was so nice to have someone like him. It was too short, his time on the show. We really made the most of our friendship,” he said.
Robbie and Declan. MasterChef.
Declan also revealed that he and Robbie had actually met at the MasterChef auditions, and asked to be roomed together during the competition.
“We roomed up in the interconnecting rooms from that first day,” he said. “We’d have a massive day and, and just want to have a cup of tea or beer and hang out and then I’d go hit the hay and Robbie would help himself into my room.
“He walked in one time when I was getting out of the shower, and I’m like ‘Mate leave me alone’,” he laughed.
The MasterChef Australia Grand Finale airs Sunday, July 16 at 7.30pm on 10 and 10Play.
The Superbowl of cooking reality shows is upon us and the event will see Rhiannon Anderson and Brent Draper go head to head in the MasterChef Australia 2023 Grand Final.
With so much hype surrounding the very important episode, it’s vital that fans do their due diligence in the lead-up so that they don’t miss a single second of the action. This includes (but is not limited to) cancelling all social plans this Sunday, ensuring that they’re not *too* hungover from Saturday night festivities and, of course, stocking up on some delicious snacks.
Here’s everything you need to know about the MasterChef Australia 2023 Grand Final so that you can firm up your plans ahead of time and kick back and relax during the episode.
Rhiannon and Brent. MasterChef.
When is the MasterChef final?
The MasterChef finale airs at 7:30pm on July 16 on Channel 10 and 10Play. It will run for two hours.
Who’s in the MasterChef finale?
Each week, judges have eliminated Home Cooks and whittled down the contestants from 18 to just two. Those hopefuls heading into the MasterChef finale are Rhiannon and Brent.
What is the final challenge?
The final challenge is a bit of a mash-up of the regular MasterChef tasks and has two separate segments.
In the first round, hosts Andy Allen, Jock Zonfrillo and Melissa Leong each present a challenge to the finalists in the form of a mystery box, a secret challenge, or an ingredient.
Brent and Rhiannon will have the power to remove one challenge, leaving them with a single task.
In the second round, the two finalists must recreate a dish that’s set by internationally acclaimed pastry and chocolate chef Amaury Guichon.
Amaury Guichon. Instagram.
What is the winning prize?
The Home Cook who scores the most points over the two rounds will be crowned the MasterChef Australia 2023 winner and receive $250,000 in prize money.
The MasterChef Australia Grand Finale airs Sunday, July 16 at 7.30pm on 10 and 10Play.
It’s episode 49 of MasterChef Australia 2023 and it was a Semi-Final for the ages!
During the episode, Brent, Declan and Rhiannon were given a challenge that would test even the most seasoned professional chef with each contestant having to serve 20 diners and the judges, an entrée, main and dessert a.k.a almost 70 plates on their own!
With the backing of the season’s former contestants, chef Shannon Bennett was also on hand to mentor the competing cooks.
While Rhiannon and Declan had four hours to prep, Brent was able to use the additional 30 minutes that he had won during the Curtis Stone cook-along.
The semi-finalists. Ten
Brent’s Cook and the judging
Brent started strong with a menu that perfectly showcased his cooking style.
His entrée was Charred Octopus, XO sauce and Pickled Daikon, which the judges agreed was perfectly executed.
Brent’s entree. Ten
For his main, Brent made Pork belly, topped with a Savoury Pork Sauce and Charred Salsa. Even though Shannon was concerned about how he was going to cook it, Brent proved him wrong with a dish that had the judges licking their lips!
Brent’s main. Ten
For his dessert, Brent kept it simple, creating a Toasted Coconut Ice Cream with Pickled Mango and Tapioca Pearls. The judges were pleased overall; however, thought it was a little too sweet.
Brent’s dessert. Ten
Rhiannon’s cook and the judging
For her entree, Rhiannon created Betel Leaf Scallop, Thai Green Gel and Bitter Melon, cooking the seafood to order for each plate to ensure warm scallops. The judges were impressed and praised her beautiful presentation and execution.
Rhiannon’s entree. Ten
Her Massaman Style Beef Short Rib dish for her main; however, wasn’t as strong as she struggled with her first potato concept and then created a sauce that was over-spiced. The judges did like the tender ribs and crispy potato pivot.
Rhiannon’s main. Ten
Then, it was time for dessert. Rhiannon produced a Lemongrass Panna Cotta with Tropical Fruit and Finger Lime Syrup. Her Panna Cotta had the “perfect wobble” and the judges were impressed by the flavour of the dish.
Rhiannon’s dessert. Ten
Declan’s cook and the judging
When Declan revealed his ambitious menu, the judges were concerned. His entree — an Elevated take on prawn toast, with Caviar topped Scampi was ultimately disappointing given the overwhelming aromats in the scampi mix.
Declan’s entree. Ten
For his main, Declan opted for Blue-Eye Trevalla with Green Curry, Steamed Rice and Thai Eggplant. Like Rhiannon, he cooked his fish to order with crispy skin and wowed the judges with his perfectly cooked fish. However, his curry was overcooked and lacked vibrancy.
Declan’s main. Ten
Declan then showed off his choux-pastry skills making Choux Buns with a Pandan Coconut Crème Pâtissier, Charred Pineapple and Tamarind Caramel.
The judges commended his effort and agreed his choux was perfect but his custard was undercooked.
The Verdict
While Rhiannon delivered the best entrée and Brent the best main, Declan’s dessert failed to completely impress, the only thing that would save his spot. While his choux was “10/10”, his custard was undercooked and chalky and his fate was sealed.
Declan became the final contestant eliminated from the competition before the July 16 Grand Final.
After the verdict had been announced, the Judges called Robbie (the oldest cook in the season) over, who said he was proud of his mate whom he’d formed a special bond with. Like a proud dad, he had tears in his eyes and struggled through a little speech praising the youngest cook in the competition.
Robbie and Declan. Ten
“Declan is his name and fish is his game!” Judge Mel Leong said to applause.
Bye, Declan. We love you!
MasterChef Australia airs Sunday – Thursday at 7.30pm on 10 and 10Play.
MasterChef Australia is one the country’s most successful reality shows thanks to its perfect blend of wholesome cooking, culinary expertise, and kitchen drama. While we wish they could forever, sadly, contestants are sent home one by one.
Judges Jock Zonfrillo, Andy Allen and Melissa “Mel” Leong, alongside some mega guest stars including Jamie Oliver, Sergio Perera, Eddie Stewart, and Curtis Stone, put the home chefs to the test with the infamous Mystery Boxes, Pressure Tests, Service Challenges and more.
With 18 hopefuls battling out, the last one standing will be crowned the winner and will walk away with not only the MC plate but a grand prize of $250,000 smackeroos!
Scroll through to see who has been eliminated from MasterChefAustralia 2023 so far.
July 13 – Elimination 16
Declan Cleary
July 11 – Elimination 15
Declan. MasterChef.
Theo Loizou
Theo. Masterchef.
July 9 – Elimination 14
Cath Collins
Cath. Masterchef.
July 2 – Elimination 13
Malissa Fedele
Malissa. Masterchef.
June 27 — Elimination 12
Rue Mupedzi
Rue. Masterchef.
June 25 – Elimintation 11
Adi Nevgi
Adi. Masterchef.
June 20 – Elimination 10
Ralph Kahango
Ralph. Masterchef.
June 18 – Elimination Nine
Antonio Cruz Vaamonde
Antionio. Masterchef.
June 13 – Elimination Eight
Grace Jupp
Grace. Masterchef.
June 11 – Emilination Seven
Phil. Masterchef.
Phil Conway
June 4 – Elimination Six
Robbie Cooper
Robbie. Masterchef.
May 30 – Elimination Five
Alice Han
Alice. Masterchef.
May 28 – Elimination Four
Amy Tanner
Amy. Masterchef.
May 21 – Elimination Three
Jessica Perri
Jessica. Masterchef.
May 16 – Elimination Two
Larissa Sewell
Larissa. Masterchef.
May 14 – Elimination One
Andrea Puglisi
Andrea. Mastechef.
More as it happens.
MasterChef Australia 2023 airs Sunday To Thursday at 7:30pm on 10 and 10 Play.
