Episode 6

The second quarter-final is here, and the six best cooks of the week return to prove they have more culinary skill left in the tank. The judges have two tough challenges up their sleeves which will determine who has enough fight for a place in knockout week. It’s time to iron out any mistakes and deliver some truly exceptional food.

To warm things up, there’s an invention test with a seasonal theme. Anna and Grace would like the amateurs to prepare a dish based on either spring or autumn. Whether they are inspired by the vibrant freshness of a spring day or the earthy complexity as the night draws in, the dishes need to be next level to impress. Nobody will be going home after this task, but if the amateurs’ seasonal plates are not seasoned to perfection, they will have a lot of catching up to do in the next round.

Next up, Grace and Anna have invited a special guest to set the critic's brief, and the amateurs have a truly broad scope for this one, as they each must serve a bowl of soup. But this can’t be any ordinary bowl of soup or broth – it needs to be MasterChef-worthy, including a perfectly executed protein or veg, and sophisticated in its flavour profiles. French consommé? Spicy Thai-style soup? It can be interpreted in many ways, but the one thing they can’t compromise on is taste.

The guests' feedback will be invaluable to the final judging, where Anna and Grace will pick the three cooks they feel have what it takes to compete in knockout week, where the serious graft to become MasterChef Champion 2026 truly starts.