In a shock decision, fan fave Dot McHugh was eliminated from MasterChef Australia.
The moment came as Aussie Classics Week wrapped up with a native ingredients elimination challenge. The tense episode featured Robert Irwin as guest judge, with an Aussie Native Ingredients Elimination Challenge set by the Aussie icon.
Robert brought in some of his favourite Australian native ingredients and warned the contestants to use them carefully, because they can be powerful. Dot chose river mint and made river mint-flavoured doughnuts, a dish Robert was initially excited about. Unfortunately, the risk didn’t pay off: the river mint overpowered the dish and threw the whole thing out of balance.
“This is a classic example of being heavy-handed with one of those native Australian ingredients,” judge Andy Allen warned. “It’s created a dish that could well send you home.”
And sadly, it did. It was a shock exit because Dot had been seen as one of the stronger contestants, with some fans tipping her as a likely top-three contender.
In classic MasterChef fashion, Dot left after one bad cook rather than a bad overall performance — she was undone by one ingredient.
Since bursting into the MasterChef kitchen, Dot quickly became a fan favourite for her bubbly demeanour and hilarious banter. Over on X, fans were less than impressed that one mistake in Dot’s dish had sent her home.
This is a bloody joke.
— JulesA 🛵🛵 (@julesItalia) June 10, 2026
Fuming that Luke has scrapped thru so many poor cooks.
Love you Dot.#MasterChefAU
Dot CANNOT go when Luke should have left so many eliminations ago #MasterChefAU
— True Krys (@heartmadeofsoul) June 10, 2026
NO, NOT DOT! ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ I seriously thought she could win this season of #MasterChefAU. She was so talented, creative and with a joie de vivre that just radiated off the screen. This season just lost a good deal of its lustre with her departure.
— anonymissjane (@anonymissjane) June 10, 2026
Over on the MasterChef Australia subreddit, people were equally upset that Dot was sent home. “Gutted… give Dot her own damn show… she was a joy to watch and I’m gutted she didn’t make it to finals week!” wrote one disgruntled commenter.
“What the what!!!!! Dot has constantly been such a joyous person to watch,” added another.
It’s safe to say that Dot will be sorely missed in future MasterChef episodes.
Dot McHugh’s highlights on MasterChef Australia 2026
Dot McHugh may have left MasterChef Australia 2026 earlier than many fans expected, but the NSW graphic designer still built a damn impressive highlight reel during her time in the kitchen.
One of her biggest early wins came during the Cereal Invention Iest, where she somehow turned Corn Flakes into a full savoury moment. Her corn flake trio — including grits, meatballs and pangrattato — was named one of the best dishes of the challenge, proving Dot could take a deeply chaotic brief and make it into something truly delicious.
She also impressed during Family Favourites Week, landing in the top four with her Turkish Eggs and earning immunity from the next elimination. It was the kind of dish that showed off her strength with comfort food, bold flavour and a rustic aesthetic.
Dot also shone in the first team challenge, cooking as part of the Turquoise Team with Miin and Alita. Their Middle Eastern family feast was praised for its generosity and cohesion, with Dot’s cauliflower salad singled out as a standout.
Earlier in the season, Dot also made it into the top 10 dishes tasted during Jimmy and Jane Barnes’ Mystery Box challenge, proving she was one to watch from the beginning. Miss you already!
MasterChef Australia airs Sunday 7pm and Monday and Tuesday at 7.30pm on Channel 10 and 10Play.
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