In the lead-up to Wednesday night’s elimination, fans were having some strong opinions about who exactly would go home and miss out on the Top 10 contestant status…and they basically hit the nail on the head.
In Wednesday night’s episode, Kirsten Tibballs appeared as a guest judge for the final Masters Week challenge, tasking the bottom four contestants from Tuesday night – Luke, Aaron, Emily and Grace – with recreating her infamous Chocolate Iris, a seven-layer entremets adorned by an intricate chocolate iris flower.
Faced with a recipe involving more than 100 steps and only 3 hours and 45 minutes, the pressure test resulted in a couple of hiccups for the bottom four (as expected!).
Ultimately, it was Grace who was sent home, after a few minor errors resulted in a dish that had a beautiful exterior, but an unformed interior.
What’s surprising is that MasterChef fans had been predicting this result all week, a significant shift in sentiment after Grace received comparisons to the show’s 2025 winner, Laura Sharrad, for getting the “good edit.”
Speaking to WHO about her elimination, Grace discussed how “heartbroken” she felt to leave “right before top 10,” and what factors led to her just missing the mark.
“I never came into the competition thinking I would win, but I had set myself the goal of getting to the top 10, thinking even that was a far-off achievement,” Grace told us. “To leave in 11th place was definitely a sting, but someone had to do it!!”
She added, “It has almost been a good thing in the end because it has given me this incredible drive and determination to prove myself and grow into a better cook.”
Fans predicted Grace’s MasterChef elimination
As the elimination approached, fans were increasingly sceptical of Grace’s future in the competition, swinging between her and Luke as the contestant that would be sent home.
“If you compare the season to a marathon, we’re really at the point where it’s becoming clear where everyone’s at,” one fan explained. “Vinnie, Casper, Petro, and Pat are well ahead without really breaking a sweat, then there’s a number of chasers, and in the back there are stragglers, Luke and Grace, who are so exhausted they’re just barely staying upright.”
“Luke has been terrible all season, like consistently BAD, but I’m especially disappointed with Grace,” a viewer criticised online. “She showed some potential at the start, but it’s been downhill ever since.”
“If Grace doesn’t go home tomorrow I’ll be so mad,” another agreed. “She’s missed the mark all week, like, where was her mind when she did the fish challenge and wanted to make it into sausage meat? And not knowing to room temp meat? That’s basic knowledge.”
While some of this commentary is certainly on the harsher side, their observations pointed to the final outcome, meaning Luke may be next on the chopping block.
Grace’s early success ‘took a toll’
However, Grace told WHO how much her early success in the competition took a toll.
“In the beginning of the competition, it was so completely validating and unbelievable for me to receive the feedback I was especially being so young and green in the kitchen,” she admitted. “I really felt that the judges understood and saw what I was trying to show them through my cooking. Especially Andy who also is a big lover of simple but elevated cooking.”
“It definitely gave me the confidence and drive to continue to chase that feeling.”
Grace added: “I think towards the end, I was putting too much pressure on myself to live up to that standard and deliver perfect dishes day after day.”
At the end of the day, this “pressure” – one that fans have been observing in recent weeks – was the clinch to send her home. Although, I’m certain this is not the last we will see of Grace.
MasterChef Australia Season 18 Sundays at 7pm and Monday – Wednesday at 7.30pm. Watch and Stream on 10.
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