The MasterChef judges were forced to send home an exceptional cook who had “a bad day in the office”.

MasterChef fans have shared their disappointment after one of their favourites left the competition on Sunday night. Photo: Ten

We’re approaching the final stages of this year’s MasterChef season, and with that, the eliminations become a little more emotional for both the contestants and the viewers at home. On Sunday night, it was Sarah Todd who left the competition after failing to impress the show’s four judges, as well as guest judges and former winners Julie Goodwin and Nat Thaipun.

Sarah was up against Jamie Fleming for a spot in the Top 5 in a cook-off where they had to use ingredients from Julie and Nat’s winning dishes. Sarah set herself a very hard task of making Pork Assiette, which required her to cook pork three different ways in just 60 minutes.

Jamie, however, kept things classic with “an elevated take on roast chicken and vegetables”, which took him back to the dish that started his MasterChef journey back in season six.

Andy said he was very worried about Sarah’s attempt to make ham in just 60 minutes. Photo: Ten

Sadly, despite the judges loving the sauce that Sarah created, it wasn’t enough to save the whole dish.

“The ham was the thing that I was worried about the most,” Andy Allen said. “You don’t make ham in 60 minutes, it’s not a thing. I think she’s got close in texture, there wasn’t a heap of flavour there. But with that vinaigrette, it’s almost like the ham was just a textural component.”

Sofia Levin agreed that the texture was “spot-on”, but the dish “didn’t taste like much”.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by MasterChef Australia (@masterchefau)

The judges all shared that they were “confused” about how to interpret the dish, meanwhile they loved Jamie’s dish, with Julie describing it as a “masterfully cooked plate of food”.

After they revealed it would be Sarah going home, she congratulated Jamie and said, “I feel like there’s something really magical about being in this kitchen and every single time I step foot into the kitchen, everything changes. I feel like I’ve grown a lot in myself and in my cooking style. And I definitely have made the most of the experience. And it’s been really special.”

“Please do not change, it’s just a bad day in the office,” Jean-Christophe Novelli told her. “You are so incredible, trust me, you are special. I really admire you.”

MasterChef fans share heartbreak over Sarah’s departure

Unfortunately, Sarah’s risk just didn’t pay off and she was sent home. Photo: Ten
Many fans were left shocked that it was Sarah who was leaving this week, with one person writing, “I can’t understand this competition, she is amazing.”

“Sarah one day you will have a Michelin star or two to your name, you are definitely a cut above the rest,” another said.

“I am gutted. Wanted Sarah to win,” a third wrote. “You are a winner to me Sarah. So so creative. Always pushed yourself. Never played it safe. Hold your head high, Toddy.”

“Sarah is a winner in every aspect,” someone else added. “This isn’t about the best cook this is about who can cook the best in the limited amount of time that you are given and it’s definitely not about being creative or technical and no Michelin star chef is put under this pressure to prove themselves.”

“Sarah’s gone, I’m gone,” another said.

“Sarah, this season has seen you so creative and talented, in my mind, you have won!” one other wrote.

“Well like they said a bad day in the office,” someone said. “She did well, unfortunately [made] a few mistakes, sad she is amazing and Handle pressure very well.”

“At least she found something more important on the show,” one person wrote, referencing her finding love with fellow contestant Declan Cleary.

“You don’t need the Masterchef trophy, you ARE a Masterchef already…and the cherry on top…you won the love trophy this season!” another added.