(Photography: Network Ten)
Matt Hopcraft was eliminated from the MasterChef kitchen on Sunday night after biting off more than he could chew.
“You can’t underestimate the power of being match fit in the MasterChef kitchen,” Matt told us in an interview.
“There was some unfinished business,” he added, explaining why he decided to come back. “I was 6th last time, and I’m pretty competitive so when the chance came up to have another go, it was pretty easy to say yes. Plus, the chance to compete against some of the biggest names that MasterChef has ever had. There is something magical, almost magnetic or hypnotic, about that kitchen that draws you back in.”
The challenge that sadly sent Matt home had the contestants create a dish with an element of tableside theatre. Think of something you’d take your phone out to film at a restaurant because it’s oh-so-fancy! Matt had the perfect idea, a little theatre, a popular, well-loved dish, combining a few things everyone loves: ice cream, cake and a delicious, torched meringue.
Bombe(d) Alaska
Matt’s inspiration behind choosing to create a Bombe Alaska with a twist was the Anzacs and his own experiences in the army, having spent 7 years serving. His delicious twist? It’s Anzac biscuit flavoured. But it wasn’t a matter of knowledge, concept or the flavour that let him down – it was his time management. He started on the meringue too late and didn’t have enough time to let it to cool down before piping it over the ice cream.
Instead of presenting an impressive flambe in front of the judges, it failed due to the split meringue.
If he could go back in time, Matt said he would “practice more. That’s it. Jean-Christophe was always encouraging me to be more creative and to push the boundaries a bit more. I think in the kitchen I have a tendency to play it a bit safe.”
Top 3 MasterChef moments
While his time has come to an end, Matt shared a few memories in the kitchen that took the top 3 spots.
“Cooking along with Gordon Ramsay [in the Keeping Up With Gordon challenge in Episode 2] – it was chaotic, frantic and mind-bogglingly difficult. But trying to keep up with the legendary Gordon Ramsay – it doesn’t get more fun that that,” he said.
“As a healthcare professional myself, with a daughter who is a nurse and from a family full of teachers, cooking for first responders and teachers for two of the challenges was very special for me. And I have always loved working as a team in a service challenge.
[Lastly], meeting all of the other contestants – MasterChef is like a big extended family that just keeps growing each year. It’s hard to explain what being in MasterChef is like to other people, so being around people who have that shared lived experience is a lot of fun.”
Matt’s go-to easy recipes
There’s always a fast recipe up his sleeve if he can’t be bothered to cook up a storm.
“If it’s just me – eggs. Scrambled, with lots of butter and a touch of cheese,” he shared. “Or if it’s for the family – there will always be a packet of pasta in the pantry, and it’s easy to throw together a simple sauce that is tasty and filling without too much effort.”
MasterChef Australia: Back to Win continues Sunday at 7pm, and Monday to Wednesday at 7:30pm on 10 and 10 Play.
