MasterChef Australia: Season 4
Season 4 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 3.
- 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 4 Progress Shield
The Journey Continues
May 6, 2012
The personality is on the plate and the food is the star of the show. Network Ten's smash hit series MasterChef returns tonight and promises to excite, thrill and entertain like ne
Top 50 Mystery Box
May 7, 2012
The top 50 amateur cooks will compete in the first Mystery Box challenge of the season; the judges select the top 12 who then have the opportunity to cook off in a nail-biting chal
Mornington Peninsula Farms
May 8, 2012
The top 12 contestants from last night's Mystery Box are divided into pairs to forage for their own ingredients at various farms in Mornington Peninsula to cook a sweet or savoury
Knife Skills
May 9, 2012
MasterChef mentor Matt Moran arrives at the Royal Exhibition Building to put the contestants through their knife skills paces. They must fillet, pin bone and cook a beautiful piece
Sweet Pressure Test
May 10, 2012
Thirty three contestants compete in a Sweet Pressure Test created by superstar chef Shannon Bennett. With six more aprons up for grabs, his Peach Melba dessert is a challenge to sa
Masterclass
May 11, 2012
The top 18 contestants head to Daylesford for a MasterClass. Later, Matt Moran and George teach the contestants some classic French cooking techniques.
French Pressure Test
May 13, 2012
After a long week of hard fought challenges the remaining twelve contestants compete in a French Pressure test to claim the last remaining spots in the Top 24. But whose dish will
Mystery Box
May 14, 2012
Arriving at the MasterChef kitchen, the top 24 quickly learn it's 'Mystery Box' time! They raise the lid but it's not food that they find.
Beat the Chef!
May 15, 2012
The Immunity Challenge sees the winner of the Pressure Test try and 'Beat the Chef!' It's a battle royale as our contestant takes on superstar chef Dan Hong from the Lotus Restaura
Restaurant Team Challenge
May 16, 2012
Ever dreamed of running your own restaurant? The contestants are divided into two teams: they must take over a restaurant service in opposing restaurants in Sydney's Kings Cross.
Pasta Elimination
May 17, 2012
The losing team head to the MasterChef kitchen for the first elimination challenge of the season. It's all about pasta and the contestants are challenged to either 'make or break'
Masterclass
May 18, 2012
Gary and George host a seafood-inspired MasterClass, while Phillipa Grogan from Phillipa's bakery in Melbourne teaches the contestants the art of breadmaking.
Mystery and Invention
May 20, 2012
This Mystery Box is a cracker - literally. Then later, the winner of this challenge gets to pick the key ingredient for the following Invention Test.
Pressure Test
May 21, 2012
Superstar chef Peter Gilmore returns with an eight layer textured chocolate cake. Talk about Pressure Test! The bottom three from the Invention Test must replicate this cake.
Immunity Challenge
May 22, 2012
The lucky winner from the Invention Test returns to the kitchen tonight to face off against former head chef of Tetsuya restaurant, Darren Roberston.
Yum Cha Team Challenge
May 23, 2012
The top 22 contestants head to Sydney's Chinese Gardens to compete in a yum cha challenge. Divided into teams, they must plan a menu, shop and cook a tasty yum cha feast.
Elimination Challenge
May 24, 2012
Yesterday's losing 11 contestants compete in tonight's elimination challenge. It's a taste test and cook off so this challenge is tough! After a hard fought fight one contestant is
Masterclass
May 25, 2012
It's a mega MasterClass tonight as Gary and Matt Moran teach the top 21 contestants about raw foods, herbs, and oils. Later Gary whips up a mushroom gnocchi and his 'Mum's Lamb Ste
Biscuit Mystery Box
May 27, 2012
The remaining 21 contestants return to the MasterChef kitchen to compete in a biscuit inspired Mystery Box challenge. Later it's an Invention Test Mexican style. Cactus anyone?
Pressure Test
May 28, 2012
The bottom three contestants from the last show arrive at the kitchen to face off in the Pressure Test. Later, three lucky contestants attend a very special private Master Class.
Raw Food Immunity Challenge
May 29, 2012
Sake head chef Shaun Presland takes on the winner of Sunday's Invention Test in a Raw Food Immunity Challenge. With no cooking, no heat and no gas bench tops they need to be super
Leftover Team Challenge
May 30, 2012
The contestants split into two teams to cook for a restaurant full of discerning diners, all with leftover ingredients collected from top Sydney restaurants.
Poultry Elimination
May 31, 2012
We say goodbye to another contestant after a hard fought poultry elimination challenge. They must name that bird then cook that bird. Quail, duck, chicken and turkey are served up.
MasterClass
Jun 1, 2012
Gary kicks off the MasterClass with mouth-watering barbecue chicken and is later joined by special guest chef Jason Jones who teaches the contestants how to serve up the perfect Me
Flavour Matching Mysterybox
Jun 3, 2012
19 contestants arrive at the MasterChef Kitchen for a flavour matching 'Mystery Box' challenge. With everyone eager to impress the judges, one contestant pushes himself too far and
Market Stall Competition
Jun 4, 2012
The contestants arrive in Tasmania for a market stall competition, where they are divided into four teams. The teams must run their own take away market stall and create their own
Fishing Boat Salmon Challenge
Jun 5, 2012
With the chance to compete in tonight's immunity challenge, the winning teams from last night's market stall must first compete against each other in a fishing boat salmon challeng
Tea for 100 Team Challenge
Jun 6, 2012
The contestants are divided into two teams, and are challenged to create, make and bake an afternoon tea for 100 guests. It must include four dishes - a scone, a pastry, and two of
Knockout Round Elimination
Jun 7, 2012
The nine contestants cook for their MasterChef lives through a series of three knockout round challenges. A typical Pub lunch is on the menu - steak, onion rings and more.
MasterClass
Jun 8, 2012
Gary goes into chef mode when he puts himself up against the clock in a 30 minute real time challenge. Later Gary is joined by Lorraine Pascale of Ella's Cupcake in Covent Garden.
Mystery and Invention
Jun 10, 2012
After a fun filled week in Tasmania, tonight the contestants head back to the MasterChef kitchen for a classic Mystery Box and Invention Test challenge.
Pressure Test
Jun 11, 2012
Greek salad is not as simple as it seems, particularly when it's been created by George! The three contestants in tonight's elimination challenge have three and a half hours to coo
Immunity Challenge
Jun 12, 2012
MasterChef welcomes iconic chef and culinary legend Jamie Oliver to the kitchen.
24 Hour Cooking Challenge
Jun 13, 2012
Tonight the contestants head to the Shangri La Hotel for a mammoth 24 hour cooking challenge that will push them to their limits. Divided into two teams, they must work shifts to c
Rapid Fire Pressure Test
Jun 14, 2012
The losing team from last night's 24 hour cooking challenge return to the MasterChef kitchen for a 'rapid fire' pressure test.
Masterclass
Jun 15, 2012
Gary and George's MasterClass serves up lamb ribs, apple strudel and quail.
Superstar Mystery Box
Jun 17, 2012
MasterChef winning alumni Julie Goodwin, Adam Liaw and Kate Bracks return to the MasterChef kitchen for a superstar mystery box challenge. Who will win on the night?
Pressure Test
Jun 18, 2012
The pressure test challenges three contestants to cook a perfect quiche Lorraine. All three contestants are determined to stay in the competition so they are quick to get down to b
Immunity Challenge
Jun 19, 2012
The Mystery Box winner is eager to win an immunity pin. To win they must beat former Billy Kwong Chef, Hamish Ingham from Bar H. With a choice of tea or coffee as the core ingredie
Wedding Challenge
Jun 20, 2012
Matt Preston reveals to the contestants that they will be catering for a Sri Lankan wedding! The Bride and Groom have invited 450 guests to their traditional Hindu wedding, which i
Elimination Challenge
Jun 21, 2012
The losing team from the wedding challenge faces off in a cake based elimination challenge, where they are served up 32 cakes, and must taste then name each cake.
Masterclass
Jun 22, 2012
Gary and Matt Moran head up a MasterClass of French onion soup, roast chicken and yummy pork belly with noodles. Later we learn the art of baking classic cakes with chef Philippe M
Mystery Box Challenge
Jun 24, 2012
In a special Mystery Box Challenge the contestants quickly learn that they must warm the cockles of the judges' hearts with a tasty soup.
Elimination Challenge
Jun 25, 2012
The bottom three contestants from the Invention Test must now cook for their lives in the Elimination Challenge, with Christine Manfield's classic smoked trout.
Immunity Challenge
Jun 26, 2012
Rum and raisin is a classic combination, but will it be a perfect match for our contestant in the Immunity Challenge? Chef Daniel Wilson also joins the kitchen.
Team Challenge
Jun 27, 2012
It's time to get back to basics with a homely team cooking challenge. Separated into three teams, they are invited into a suburban home, where they must cook for two neighbours.
Elimination Challenge
Jun 28, 2012
Arriving at the MasterChef kitchen for the immunity challenge, the eight contestants from the losing team quickly learn that they must compete in three quick fire cook-offs.
Masterclass
Jun 29, 2012
George, Matt Moran and Gary showcase the best food Kangaroo Island has to offer. Expect tips on cooking with lamb, marron and chicken. Then we end the night with a taste of honey.
Invention Test
Jul 1, 2012
After a trip to Kangaroo Island the contestants get back into the kitchen & discover there is no Mystery Box. Instead they find themselves in an Invention Test with guest chef Hest
Pressure Test
Jul 2, 2012
Three contestants from the Invention Test must face a Pressure Test like no other. The contestants have two hours to make a cake specially created by renowned Pastry Chef Vincent G
Immunity Challenge
Jul 3, 2012
The winner of this week's Heston Mega Invention Test, gets the added reward of competing in an immunity challenge. Up against the winning contestant is a 1-hat chef Tomislav Martin
Pop Up Restaurant Challenge
Jul 4, 2012
The remaining amateur chefs get to live out what most professional chefs only dream of doing in their careers. The contestants need to create two pop up restaurants from scratch.
Double Elimination Challenge
Jul 5, 2012
The losing team face elimination. But this is not just any elimination - five contestants must get ready for a double elimination. Only three will survive and become part of the To
Masterclass
Jul 6, 2012
Gary and Matt kick off this special MasterClass by officially welcoming and congratulating this season's Top 10. Topping off the week with an amazing Italian feast.
Roman Dish Challenge
Jul 8, 2012
Buongiorno, from Italy! Tonight our top 10 contestants join the judges in Rome for a week of challenges! But this is no Roman holiday, tonight they must cook a Roman dish that has
Super-Sized Challenge
Jul 9, 2012
Celebrate pizza and pasta with a super-sized challenge. The four best cooks from the previous challenge compete against each other for the chance to cook off for an Immunity Pin.
Immunity Challenge
Jul 10, 2012
Heads to beautiful Tuscany, Florence, for a nail-biting Immunity Challenge where judges Matt Preston and George Calombaris are joined by guest judge chef Antonio Carluccio.
Risotto Challenge
Jul 11, 2012
The ten contestants head to Parma where they cook off in a risotto challenge. Maestro Gualtiero Marchesi challenges the contestants to cook the 'Death Dish' - his very own saffron
Elimination Challenge
Jul 12, 2012
The elimination challenge takes the five losing contestants to Tuscany to cook a feast for local villagers in the ancient and quaint town of Monticchelo.
Masterclass
Jul 13, 2012
Superstar chef Neil Perry joins Gary and George for an Italian-inspired MasterClass.
Mystery Fridge Challenge
Jul 15, 2012
Tonight in the MasterChef Mystery Box challenge each contestant has been given the task of creating a dish from the ingredients in the fridge, which include one tasty left-over.
Pressure Test
Jul 16, 2012
The bottom 3 dishes from yesterday's Invention Test face a Pressure Test where someone will go home! The contestants attempt to make guest chef Grant King's highly technical dish.
Elimination Challenge
Jul 17, 2012
The remaining eight contestants face the second elimination of the week, a situation only made sweeter with the news that celeb chef Kylie Kwong has entered the building.
Mini Challenge
Jul 18, 2012
A mini challenge designed to determine who will cook in the team challenge ahead, sees the contestants cook a French inspired dessert.
Family Team Challenge
Jul 19, 2012
Tonight's challenge is an emotional one as one family member for each contestant is brought in. The four contestants will have to cook the meal their loved ones have missed the mos
Masterclass
Jul 20, 2012
In the MasterClass, Anthony Puharich from Victor Churchill shares his expert opinion with our contestants on selecting the right cut of beef for the right meal.
Lunch Service
Jul 22, 2012
The judges announce to the top six contestants that they must run lunch service for 60 guests at Guillaume at Bennelong under the watchful eye of head chef Guillaume Brahini.
The Perfect Steak Sauce
Jul 23, 2012
The five top contestants are greeted by Legendary British chef and MasterChef UK judge, John Torode, and a live cow. Torode announces that they must cook the perfect sauce to accom
Recreate Signature Dish
Jul 24, 2012
The final four MasterChef contestants each have 90 minutes to cook one of Australia's best chef's signature dishes, and only 15 minutes with their chef so they need to make the mos
Grand Final
Jul 25, 2012
It all comes down to this. The MasterChef finale. The final three are hoping they have saved their best for last, as they step into the MasterChef kitchen for the last time.