Justin and Will have secured their place in the grand final of *My Kitchen Rules* after a thrilling semi-final on Sunday night. The duo triumphed over Western Australian couple Danielle and Marko, who faced elimination despite showcasing their culinary talents. The competition heated up as both teams prepared standout dishes, but it was the bold decisions of the New South Wales fathers that ultimately led them to victory.
High-Stakes Cooking Challenge
The semi-final was a test of creativity and skill, with each team given two hours to prepare their main dishes and one hour for dessert. Justin and Will opted for a daring Sri Lankan tripe curry accompanied by carrot sambal and paratha, followed by a challenging chocolate soufflé. Manu Feildel described their main dish as “a very ballsy dish,” while Colin Fassnidge praised their ambition.
In contrast, Danielle and Marko decided to lean into their strengths with an Asian-inspired main course featuring miso-glazed salmon, soba noodles, and a smashed cucumber salad. After the mains were served, the judges announced that Justin and Will were narrowly in the lead, setting the stage for a tense dessert round.
Reflections on the Competition
Despite their exit, Danielle and Marko expressed pride in their performance. “We were really proud and happy with what we cooked,” Danielle stated. “We just weren’t the better cooks on the night. The boys did better and made it through to the grand final.” Marko echoed her sentiments, noting that their focus had shifted to enjoying the competition experience rather than solely winning.
“We were underdogs in the situation, so we wanted to make sure we had fun and were present,” Marko said.
Upon hearing the news of their elimination, Danielle described the moment as “bittersweet.” “We’re so proud of how far we made it, but it’s also sad to get so close and just miss out,” she remarked. Both have emphasized how the competition has deepened their relationship, revealing that they balance each other out well under pressure.
Since filming concluded, Danielle has decided to leave her full-time job as a disability support worker to pursue her passion for travel and food writing through her Instagram account, Dining with Danz. Meanwhile, Marko is focused on their future home, with their relationship remaining strong after seven years together.
As for the possibility of an engagement following the show, Marko lightheartedly responded, “We’re currently building a house and have a lot going on… so ask me again in 10 years.”
The competition continues on Monday at 19:30, with the final grand final spot up for grabs between contestants Lol and Lil, and friends Maria and Bailey.
With the excitement building, viewers can expect more culinary creativity and dramatic moments as *My Kitchen Rules* edges closer to its grand finale.
