Serious siblings Amy and Tyson have been crowned the winners of My Kitchen Rules, wowing the judges with their uber-modern cooking and commitment to weird cuts of meat.
The series eight finale was always going to be a close-call, with Amy and Tyson pulling off three 10s and a total of 57 beating Valerie and Courtney's 52 out of 60.
More Entertainment News Videos
Amy & Tyson win MKR Final
After a tense five-course Final, Brisbane siblings Amy & Tyson are crowned the My Kitchen Rules Champions for 2017.
The episode opens with the all drama one would expect from Channel Seven's top-rating television show. Candles flicker from the corner of the set (akin to something out of Game of Thrones), while the contestants' jaws drop when they learn they have to serve-up 100 meals as part of a five-course menu.
Amy and Tyson had every reason to enter the grand final quietly confident that they would take home the $250,000 cash prize. The Queensland siblings sailed through the challenges, serving up everything from sheep's brains to Pimms and ginger jelly.
"I don't think we could ever be what would be considered normal," Amy said at the start of the episode. "We're always going to have some crazy slants on the food that we do."
The pair's parmesan and truffle mousse ticks all those boxes, however lacked oomph, according to the judges.
"Something a little bit crispy would have elevated this dish," Pete Evans said. "It's very near perfect."
Valerie and Courtney, meanwhile, gain an early advantage with their samosa crisp entree.
![MKR 2107 grand finalists (L-R): Valarie and Courtney v Amy and Tyson.](/web/20170505131514im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/v/v/s/e/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gvul8q.png/1493584506380.jpg)
"My tastebuds are dancing with this little entree," Manu said. "It's a great way to start a five course meal."
But things are once agin neck-and-neck by the second course, with both teams plating up faultless twists on pea soup. Amy and Tyson opt for an ultra-modern version along with pork crackling, while Mumma V and Courtney plate up their pea and coriander soup with spicey salmon skewers.
![Valarie poaching fish until the lat minute during MKR's grand final.](/web/20170505131514im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/v/v/j/d/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gvul8q.png/1493584506380.jpg)
For third course, Amy and Tyson decide to take a risk by serving poached marron with rhubarb. Watching from the sidelines, seafood king Josh isn't impressed.
"I can't see it working with the dish," Josh said. "I hope it's not going to be their let-down."
![Josh and Amy are back on MKR.](/web/20170505131514im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/v/x/x/v/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gvul8q.png/1493584506380.jpg)
But it turns out to be their secret weapon, with the judges describing it as a "quirky" combination. The risk, it seems, has paid off.
Valerie and Courtney, meanwhile, stumble. With just 17 minutes to go before their third course is due in front of the judges, Mumma V still hasn't started cooking the fish.
![Courtney said she was inspired by her mum.](/web/20170505131514im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/v/y/6/v/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gvul8q.png/1493584506380.jpg)
"I'm so stressed," Courtney said. "I don't think it's even going to make the plate. I don't think our family's ever seen us this stressed before."
![Tyson's reaction the moment he found out he and Amy had won MKR.](/web/20170505131514im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/v/y/7/4/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gvul8q.png/1493592687357.jpg)
The girls are fighting back tears. While they got everything on the plate, they're not happy with the presentation. When it comes to tasting, the judges wanted more sauce and less rice.
But the girls have a secret weapon up their sleeve, though.
![Serious siblings Amy and Tyson were the MKR victors.](/web/20170505131514im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/v/y/8/e/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.gvul8q.png/1493617432698.jpg)
"This used to be dad's favourite dish," Mumma V told the camera while explaining how she's going to cook the pork vindaloo. "He's watching over us today."
Meanwhile, Tyson's food processor isn't playing ball.
"This blade is f---ing useless," he said. "We've got bone marrow, veil loins, sweat breads, jus, but it's the breadcrumbs that's slowing me down and stuffing us up."
The crowd on the sidelines start chanting "angry", but he eventually gets the breadcrumbs onto the plate. And without a second to spare.
"We left the plating too late – it was too rushed," Tyson said. "It's not how we wanted to plate up a grand final dish."
But at least the taste is there. "[This is the] best dish for me, hands down, in eight years," judge Karen Martini said.
With just one dish to go, things start getting tense.
"The desserts have always been a bit of a nemesis for us," Valerie admits. "We are absolutely going to make sure that is not the case for us tonight."
Tyson's hands are shaking, making it difficult for him to complete the most delicate parts of his and Amy's dessert. Luckily, everything comes together at the last minute and both teams manage to sail across the finish line.
By the time the judges are eating the desserts, it's still unclear who is ahead. Amy and Tyson's after-dinner mint with a twist is described as "faultless", while Valerie and Courtney's dessert is described as the "perfect" way to finish off all their spicy food.
"This is one of the strongest grand finals we've ever had," Pete Evans said. "Very different menus, but both executed beautifully."
When it comes time for the judge's critiques, Valerie and Courtney are heaped with praise. The one criticism they receive is that the proportions for the seafood course were a little out of whack. As always, Manu wanted more sauce.
Amy and Tyson are also showered with compliments, however their entree is once again critiqued for its lack of texture. But their's was considered the exceptional menu. "To call your menu stunning would be an understatement," said guest judge Karen Martini.
"I want to say a big, huge thank you to my Mum. She's an amazing person. She inspires me every day," said a teary Courtney.
"I think I'm in shock," said Amy.
"I'm just extremely proud of what Amy and I have achieved together," said Tyson. "We couldn't have done it alone and I'm just happy to be sharing it with her.
"...Being crowned the winner makes my dreams of becoming a chef a reality. It's going to happen."
2 comments
New User? Sign up