MasterChef Australia: Season 2
Season 2 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of MasterChef Australia Season 1.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 2 Progress Shield
Top 50 Begins - BBQ Challenge
Apr 19, 2010
The top 50 began with a barbecue challenge, with the freedom to cook whatever they wanted. The 10 worst performers were sent into a pavlova pressure test led by Donna Hay. The 5 co
Signature Dish
Apr 20, 2010
The remaining contestants were asked to prepare their signature dish. In a first for MasterChef Australia the contestants did the judging, with the men voting for their favourite d
Bottom 10 Elimination Challenge
Apr 21, 2010
The 10 contestants who performed worst in Tuesday's signature dish challenge were split into 5 groups of 2 and given 7 hours to drive out to local farms, collect fresh produce, and
10 More Spots with Matt Moran
Apr 22, 2010
With 10 spots in the Top 24 on the line, the remaining contestants competed in a mise en place challenge. The challenge had 4 stages, with the worst performers in each stage remove
Masterclass 1
Apr 23, 2010
The six contestants who won Top 24 spots cooking against Matt Moran are treated to a Masterclass with him in ARIA’s kitchen. Matt shows them how to make seafood canapés. The other
The Top 24 - Mystery Box Challenge
Apr 25, 2010
After a mystery box challenge, 4 contestants will be through to the Top 24, and 4 will be sent home. The contestants cook a Neil Perry fish dish in a pressure test and Neil also ju
Childhood Memory Invention Test
Apr 26, 2010
The Top 24 arrived at the MasterChef house and then headed to the MasterChef kitchen. The contestants had 90 minutes to create a dish that was a childhood memory for them. The winn
Italian Restaurant Team Challenge
Apr 28, 2010
The off site team challenge, to take over the running of two Italian restaurants, saw the Red Team conquer despite having a simpler menu. From the Blue Team, Jonathan and Devon wer
Eggy Elimination Challenge
Apr 29, 2010
As the Red Team enjoyed their reward: lunch and a mini MasterClass with Luke Mangan, Jonathan and Devon faced off in the Elimination Challenge; a best of three challenge with the t
Masterclass 2
Apr 30, 2010
The judges share their own food memories in this week's MasterClass. A good old English Sunday Roast was Gary's dish of the day while George cooked up lasagne with a twist.
Mystery Box & Invention Test
May 2, 2010
Japanese theme. The Mystery Box challenge saw the contestants making the "perfect burger", with only five selected to taste by the judges. Marion won the challenge and picked tuna
Pressure Test - Peter Gilmore
May 3, 2010
Carrie, Kate and Fiona faced off in the Pressure Test after cooking the three least impressive dishes in the Invention Test. They were asked to replicate a chicken dish from chef P
Kids Birthday Team Challenge
May 5, 2010
In an unprecedented twist, Callum as winner of the weeks Invention Test was granted the power to pick his entire team first. The off site challenge was to put on a children's birth
Fix That Dish Elimination
May 6, 2010
As the Blue Team enjoyed their reward at Sails on Lavender Bay with Nathan Darling, Jonathan and Adele faced off in a "fix the dish" challenge. They had to fix a poorly made dish (
Mystery Box & Invention Test
May 9, 2010
Indian theme. The Mystery Box challenge saw the contestants choosing between a main and a dessert, with Skye's Crispy Duck winning her the challenge and picking goat as key ingredi
Black Forest Cake Pressure Test
May 10, 2010
Dominic, Joanne and Matthew faced off in the Pressure Test; to make a black forest cake. Joanne was able to put off a shaky start and finish strongly, leaving the judges to pick th
Chef Challenge - Justin North
May 11, 2010
Jonathan must impress the judges with his roast rack and crisp confit belly of suckling pig in order to beat professional chef and restaurant owner Justin North in the celebrity ch
Classic French Meal Team Challenge
May 12, 2010
The two teams were tasked with preparing a Classic French 3-course meal for Matt Preston, Tetsuya Wakuda and Guillaume Brahimi. Michel Roux mentored the Red Team, Tony Bilson mento
Name That Herg Elimination
May 13, 2010
While the Blue Team enjoyed their lunch with Giovanni Pilu, the Red Team faced off in a two-round Elimination challenge. The first challenge was to make a traditional Genovese Pest
Masterclass 4
May 14, 2010
The judges serve up duck two ways and invite guest chef Kumar Mahadevan to cook a spicy prawn curry. Justin North also helps the contestants make crackling pork.
Mystery Box & Invention Test
May 16, 2010
"Around the world" theme. The Mystery Box challenge saw the contestants tackle a complex range of ingredients and a time of just 25 minutes. Peter took out the challenge and was gi
Schnitzel & Chips Pressure Test
May 17, 2010
Alvin, Daniel and Fiona faced off in the Pressure Test; to recreate a Pork Schnitzel with chips and coleslaw with no recipe to follow. While each contestant cooked the correct meat
Chef Challenge - Restaurant Arras
May 18, 2010
Team "Restaurant Arras" (Adam Humphrey, Lovaine Allen, Aaron Eady) face off against Aaron, Joanne and Matthew.
Normal Family Meal Team Challenge
May 19, 2010
The two teams were tasked with preparing a 3 course meal for a normal family and judges Matt Preston and Curtis Stone, on a tight budget and time limit. In the end, the families ra
Bouillabaisse Taste Test Elimination
May 20, 2010
As the Blue Team and Red Team enjoyed their lunch at Sailor's Thai, the four contestants were asked to name the ingredients of a traditional Bouillabaisse in a taste test Eliminati
Masterclass 5
May 21, 2010
Gary cooked braised BBQ’d ribs with homemade sauce and George offered up a Waldorf salad. Guest chef Peter Kuravita from Sydney restaurant Flying Fish, showed the contestants two c
Pizza Over Challenge
May 23, 2010
"Modern Australia" theme. There was no Mystery Box challenge this week, instead the contestants faced a pizza making challenge. Fiona was the victor and picked tropical fruit as th
Duck Two Ways Pressure Test
May 24, 2010
Their task was to recreate a dish by Australian food icon, Stephanie Alexander, a confit duck-neck sausage with grilled duck breast in sour cherry sauce, potato crisps and buttered
Chef Challenge - Frank Camorra
May 25, 2010
Marion goes up against chef and owner of the acclaimed MoVida, Frank Camorra, in a fierce celebrity challenge.
The Press Club Team Challenge
May 26, 2010
The two teams were faced with their toughest challenge yet: to take over the running of George Calombaris' own restaurant The Press Club on its relaunch, serving a variety of Austr
Mystery Box Elimination Challenge
May 27, 2010
In a mystery box Elimination Challenge, the Blue Team members were tasked with creating a dish to complement a specific bottle of wine.
Masterclass 6
May 28, 2010
Gary and George showed the contestants how to make the perfect pizza, while Gary also served up an English rice pudding, and George cooked up some chicken oysters with homous and f
Mystery Box & Invention Test
May 30, 2010
Pasta theme. After a trying Mystery Box challenge featuring lambs' brains, Marion emerged as winner and picked seafood as the core ingredient for the Invention Test. Most contestan
Seafood Platter Pressure Test
May 31, 2010
Jake, Jimmy and Matthew faced off in the Pressure Test; to recreate a Rick Stein seafood platter worth $350.
Chef Challenge - Maggie Beer
Jun 1, 2010
Aaron cooked off against Maggie Beer, making her pheasant pie.
Pacific Jewel Team Challenge
Jun 2, 2010
In the biggest Off Site Challenge ever, contestants were faced with preparing 8000 canapés for 2000 guests on the P&O Pacific Jewel, who would vote for their favourite team's menu.
Taste Test Elimination Challenge
Jun 3, 2010
Marion, Jake and Joanne face an elimination taste test. They must identify 23 ingredients to stay in the competition. Will this be Marion's one and only chance to use her immunity?
Masterclass 7
Jun 4, 2010
George cooked up ravioli with potato and leek as well as a quail dolmatha with tahini and yoghurt dressing. Meanwhile guest chef Matt Moran had quesadillias on the menu and a berry
Mystery Box & Invention Test
Jun 6, 2010
Vegetarian theme. In a meaty Mystery Box challenge, it was Claire who managed to impress the most and was given a significant advantage in the Invention Test, which would be contes
Oyster Terrine Pressure Test
Jun 7, 2010
Callum, Joanne, Peter and Skye faced off in the Pressure Test; to recreate George Calombaris' oyster terrine. Callum's terrine was described as a dog's breakfast but was closest to
Chef Challenge - Aaron vs Adam
Jun 8, 2010
In a twist on the traditional format, Aaron and Adam competed against each other to win immunity. They had 1hr 45min to complete three dishes with three core ingredients for three
Molecular Gastronomy Team Challenge
Jun 9, 2010
Teams were tasked with creating a dining experience using principles of molecular gastronomy. With the help of two leaders in innovative cooking, each team was tasked with a specif
Chicken Korma & Name Spices Elimination
Jun 10, 2010
In a two-round Elimination Challenge testing basic skills, members of the Blue Team were first asked to cook Chicken Korma. They were provided with all the ingredients but were lef
Masterclass 8
Jun 11, 2010
Callum and Sharnee were treated to a masterclass on Cheese by Australian cheese expert Will Studd, while the remaining contestants were treated to a steak and kidney sandwich by Ga
Mystery Box & Invention Test
Jun 13, 2010
"Australian Food Icon" theme. The winner of Masterchef Australia 2009, Julie Goodwin, returned as a guest judge for the Mystery Box Challenge, the ingredients of which were also ch
Beef Stroganoff Pressure Test
Jun 14, 2010
Callum, Matthew and Sharnee faced off in the Pressure Test, where they had to recreate a Beef Stroganoff with Parsley Fettuccine without a recipe to follow. Each of the contestants
Chef Challenge - Josh Emett
Jun 15, 2010
New Zealand chef and co-founder of Rata restaurant Josh Emett takes on Jonathan in the celebrity chef challenge.
Qantas Business Team Challenge
Jun 16, 2010
Teams were tasked with creating a 3 course menu suitable for Qantas business class passengers. They were required to prepare the food at the MasterChef Kitchen and reheat it in the
Carrot Cake Elimination Challenge
Jun 17, 2010
In a taste test Elimination Challenge, all members of the Blue Team were asked to name the ingredients to a carrot cake.
Masterclass 9
Jun 18, 2010
Aaron and Marion are treated to a masterclass in artisan baking by Michael Klausen, while Gary and George cook up a dish of lamb backstrap fillet cooked in a Barramundi skin with f
London Week Day 1: Invention Test
Jun 20, 2010
"Afternoon Tea" theme. It was revealed to the contestants that this Invention Test would take place in London. After settling in at the Langham Hotel, the contestants first challen
London Week Day 2: Heston Pressure Test
Jun 21, 2010
Contestants competed in pairs to recreate Heston Blumenthal's elaborate signature dishes. Heston praised the contestants' attempts at dishes he'd taken years to perfect with Alvin
London Week Day 2: Chef Challenge - Martin Blunos
Jun 22, 2010
Marion competes against Chef Martin Blunos to cook a vanilla ice cream dish, pastry cream and mango coulis in an eggshell, served with shortbread that looks like a boiled egg with
London Week Day 3: Super Off Site Challenge
Jun 23, 2010
In the first ever Super Challenge, contestants raced from London to Paris, France with the task to create a two-course meal based around the French favourite, the truffle. For the
London Week Day 4:Elimination Challenge
Jun 24, 2010
In the Elimination Challenge, Joanne and Jonathan both recreated one of Brett Graham's dishes. Although both dishes had positives and negatives.
Masterclass 10
Jun 25, 2010
Back in Australia, George cooks up a seafood dish of Char Sui salmon with stir-fried winter melon and wood ear mushrooms, while Gary cooks a rhubarb and blackberry crumble souffle.
Return Elimination Challenge 1
Jun 27, 2010
Eleven of the 17 eliminated contestants returned to the MasterChef kitchen to compete for three second-chance spots. Devon, Kate, Courtney, Daniel, Philip, Jimmy, Jake, Peter, Skye
Return Elimination Challenge 2
Jun 28, 2010
Devon, Courtney, Philip, Jimmy, Jake and Peter competed in the final round for one of 3 spots back in the competition. They were faced with an Invention Test, with the freedom to c
Chef Challenge - Mitchell Orr
Jun 29, 2010
Unlike other Celebrity Chef Challenges, Orr was cooking against all of the remaining 10, with the amateur winner (should there have been one) to receive immunity.
CWA Team Challenge
Jun 30, 2010
Teams were faced with a seemingly simple challenge; to bake five traditional Australian afternoon tea staples made famous by the Country Women's Association. They had to impress a
Taste Test Elimination Challenge
Jul 1, 2010
While the Red Team enjoyed their lunch at Bilson's, Aaron and Jimmy were required to "fix that dish", an unappetising coq au vin. George favoured Jimmy's finished dish but Gary pre
Mystery Box & Invention Test
Jul 4, 2010
"Home-style cooking" theme. Contestants were faced with snails under the Mystery Box, and it was Alvin who impressed the judges with his dish, creating a unique balance of complex
Macaron Tower Pressure Test
Jul 5, 2010
Alvin, Aaron, Marion and Peter faced off in the Pressure Test, where they had to recreate Adriano Zumbo's Macaroon Tower. Each contestants had to build their own tower consisting o
Chef Challenge - Adam Melona
Jul 6, 2010
Australian chef Adam Melonas takes on Claire in the celebrity chef challenge; they recreate one of his iconic molecular dishes.
Army Base Team Challenge
Jul 7, 2010
Teams were faced with preparing a hearty buffet lunch for 100 Australian soldiers. Starting at Holsworthy army base, contestants trekked to the field kitchen where they tackled cre
Thai Satay Sauce Elimination Challenge
Jul 8, 2010
Marion, Jonathan and Aaron were required to name a variety of nuts to progress to the next round. Jonathan won the first round and was safe. Marion and Aaron progressed to the seco
Masterclass 12
Jul 9, 2010
Head Chef at Ash St Cellar, Lauren Murdoch, shows how to make some tapas dishes including garlic prawns with basil and grilled chorizo with crumbed artichokes, mint and lemon oil.
Mystery Box & Invention Test
Jul 11, 2010
"Seven Deadly Sins" theme. Contestants struggled to produce stand-out dishes from a simple Mystery Box, with the two women left in the competition emerging as the strongest perform
Pressure Test - Christine Manfield
Jul 12, 2010
Guest chef Christine Manfield set the most technically difficult dish seen so far in a pressure test: spice roasted squab with a turnip cake, with a recipe including 55 ingredients
Chef Challenge - Shaun Presland
Jul 13, 2010
Shaun Presland and Claire prepare a tuna tasting plate with sushi rolls, tuna sashimi tacos and tuna tataki. Find out who will win this challenge.
Signature Dish Challenge
Jul 14, 2010
Contestants were tasked with creating a dish that represented themselves and their cooking philosophy. After planning overnight and shopping with a $250 budget, each contestant had
Guess that Fish Elimination Challenge
Jul 15, 2010
Aaron, Alvin and Jimmy faced a Basic Skills Test in a two-round Elimination Challenge. The first round saw contestants identifying different types of fish, with the two lowest scor
Masterclass 13
Jul 16, 2010
The professional chefs show how to cook smoked trout with a salad, prawn kalamaki with tzatziki and herb salad and chocolate gluttony with spun sugar.
Finals Week - Day 1 - Invention Test
Jul 18, 2010
Iron Chef Hiroyuki Sakai was a guest judge for the invention test. The core ingredient was crustaceans and the contestants, working in two teams, had to cook a banquet.
Finals Week - Day 2 - Pressure Test
Jul 19, 2010
The contestants have four hours to recreate Adriano Zumbo’s V8 cake, which features eight different textures of vanilla and tempered white chocolate on the outside. The winner's pr
Finals Week - Day 3 - Mystery Box Challenge
Jul 20, 2010
Vue de Monde’s Shannon Bennett was a guest judge for the mystery box challenge. Jimmy had picked the ingredients, which included spices and lentils. The contestants had to make two
Finals Week - Day 4 - Signature Dish Challenge
Jul 21, 2010
The final four cooked three dishes that would appear in their cookbook if they became Australia’s next MasterChef. Maggie Beer was a guest judge. Each contestant explained the conc
Finals Week - Day 5 - Off Site Challenge
Jul 22, 2010
Cooking dinner for the Governor-General and 30 guests, the contestants were judged on their dishes and their performance in the kitchen.
Finals Week - Day 6 - Final Masterclass
Jul 23, 2010
Callum and Adam each spent time with a chef, from the markets to service, with Justin North and Peter Kuruvita. The top 24 contestants returned to the MasterChef kitchen for the la
Grand Final - Welcome Masterchef 2010
Jul 25, 2010
Adam and Callum faced three rounds in the finale, worth 100 points in total. The first round involves basic skills tests. The second round is an invention test. The final round is