Some viewers said it was ‘genius’ while others call it ‘kinda mean’.

Sunday night’s elimination was an emotional one as Laura’s hazelnut gelato failed to come together. Credit: Channel Ten

MasterChef Australia is fast approaching the 2025 finale, where one of the Back to Win contestants will walk away with the grand prize of $250,000. With the end so near, the eliminations are, understandably, feeling more tense than ever as each of the hopefuls is painfully aware of what’s at stake.

Sunday night’s episode saw a “dual duel” take place between Laura Sharrad and Snezana Calic, who had to hero hazelnut in their dishes, and Alana Lowes and Sarah Todd, who had to focus on horseradish. After the first round, Snez and Sarah were deemed safe and sent to the gantry to cheer on Alana and Laura, whose offerings just fell short of keeping them out of round two.

Despite fans complaining all season that Laura is the “favourite” and that there is even some unfair bias towards her, from Andy in particular, the 29-year-old from South Australia had a tough first round.

Hoping to make a hazelnut gelato to complement her hazelnut financier, Laura found herself getting increasingly stressed as she realised that the dessert was way too icy and, therefore, not suitable for serving. Doing her best to think on her feet, Laura pivoted and quickly whipped up a Salted Hazelnut Mascarpone instead.

A visibly upset Laura was forced to think on her feet to save her hazelnut-forward dish. Credit: Channel Ten

MasterChef fans laugh over ‘genius’ editing

Despite the elements coming together fairly well, the pressure got to Laura, resulting in her collapsing into a heap of tears once the cook was over.

As Snez, Sarah and Alana rushed to comfort her, the failed gelato could still be seen churning away on the bench top – a move that did not go unnoticed by viewers.

“Oof, the shot of Laura crying with the gelato churning in the foreground. Editing genius 🤌,” one fan wrote online.

“I’m so sorry….but the final edit of the ice cream machine with Laura in the background.. can’t make this shit up,” another said,

“That shot of the ice cream still churning in the corner while Laura’s breaking down 🤣,” a third fan wrote, to which someone replied, “First good edit in a while 🤣.”

‘Oh lord. The ice cream machine still churning,” said another, while another fan complained that it had felt “forced.”

As Laura sobbed and was comforted by Snez, Sarah and Alana, the failed gelato continued churning in the foreground. Credit: Channel Ten

MasterChef viewers call out ‘cruel’ editing move

While some thought that the move to have the doomed gelato in shot while Laura sobbed was “cinematic”, others thought it bordered on mean-spirited and took to the comments to make their feelings known.

“The gelato still churning in the ice cream maker while Laura is breaking down… that’s kinda sad 😔 why show it still churning, it was kinda mean,” one said.

“Not them turning on the ice cream churner again for added emotional element 😭😭😭😭,” added another.

“That last shot with the ice cream churning is diabolical 😭,” a third wrote.

“The shot of them all on the floor, with the gelato still churning in the foreground, was just a touch on the cruel side,” was the opinion of another viewer.

 

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Who was eliminated on MasterChef Australia?

In the end, Laura was able to pull herself together for the second round and was able to edge out Alana with her fennel and squid noodle dish.

Although Alana made an admirable effort with her burnt fennel seed pavlova and sour cherry ice cream, it was not enough to keep her in the kitchen, and she was sent home.

“Alana absolutely shone tonight. She showed enormous skill in both cook-offs. Very sad to see her go,” one viewer wrote on Instagram.

Added another, “So devastated to see you leave Alana. But what a cook you are! ❤️An OG for sure!”