Emotions were high on Monday night as MasterChef’s Nostalgia Week continued and contestants were reminded of why they love cooking in the first place: their families. Tasked with cooking a dish that reflected their personal stories and heritage, the bottom dish was sent home, and the top dish won themselves $10,000.
So, it’s safe to say, there was a lot on the line.
While each contestant reconnected with their roots- adding that MasterChef spin, of course – some incredible dishes were produced.
However, one dish rose above them all, causing tears to be shed both on the screen and for audiences watching at home.
Olaolu Olorunnimbe became $10,000 richer after preparing a beef efo riro that the judges couldn’t stop thinking about.
Olaolu told WHO about the experience and what exactly he’s planning to spend the prize money on.
“I just could not believe it,” Olaolu told WHO.
“I’m here to push myself and bring Nigerian cuisine more into the mainstream in Australia, so creating the top dish — and it being Nigerian — was already a huge win for me. And, the $10,000 prize made it 10,000 times better. I picked a great day to do my best cooking so far!”
Olaolu is putting the money towards his ‘food dream’
Despite winning the prize money a couple of months ago, Olaolu admitted to WHO that he has yet to spend the cash, but he has big plans!
While hoping to put the money towards getting him one step closer to his dream of sharing “Nigerian food with more people around Australia”, he also confessed that he’ll be using some of the money to “treat” himself (as he should!).
“I haven’t spent the money!” Olaolu said. “I think I’ll put most of it towards my food dream. I’d love to share Nigerian food with more people around Australia, and this’ll help loads.”
“But I’ll definitely also spend some of it on a treat (probably also food related!)”
Olaolu winning this challenge meant a lot to his family
Before the challenge began, the contestants opened up about their family histories and how cooking was a core part of their memories growing up.
Petro opened up about his family’s immigration from Cyprus, Miin about his Chinese-Malaysian heritage, and Olaolu about his Nigerian heritage as well as what being on a show like MasterChef would have meant to his father who recently passed.
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Olaolu explained to us what winning with “one of [his] dad’s favourite dishes” meant to him and his family.
“The dish is beef efo riro,” Olaolu said. “It’s a spicy, savoury, and slightly funky stewed leafy vege dish, with lots of beef… typically served with what we call a “swallow” (named so because it can go down with minimal chewing). I used semolina this time, but it’s good with pounded yam too.
“It was one of my dad’s favourite dishes.”
He explained his family were on cloud nine after his win.
“My family was delighted for me,” Olaolu continued. “They’ve been so supportive in so many ways, and I could not wait to tell them about it. They’re very proud of me, and that’s very cool.”
As the competition continues to unfold and more wins and losses occur, it’s moments like this that remind audiences why MasterChef has been a staple for audiences for years.
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