A fishy exit! Ben Milbourne eliminated from MasterChef over sour salmon – and his best mate judge Andy Allen couldn’t save him
Ben Milbourne was eliminated on Sunday’s episode of MasterChef Australia: Back To Win.
The night’s challenge saw the contestants – including winner of the immunity pin, Dani Venn – up for elimination.
In the end Ben, 38, was undone by his salmon dish which the judges found so acidic, it was deemed inedible.
Out: Ben Milbourne (pictured) was eliminated on Sunday’s episode of MasterChef Australia: Back To Win
Ben made a BBQ salmon fillet with charred spring onions and kale, a walnut cream and sauce vierge, using the difficult-to-cook cut of salmon collars.
Upon leaving, Ben had emotional words for his best mate and judge Andy Allen – who had just voted him off the show.
Ben said: ‘I came back for two reasons, really. I wanted to see, is there any way I could give back to this icon that has given me so much?
Moved: Upon leaving, Ben had emotional words for his best mate and judge Andy Allen (pictured) – who had just voted him off the show
Ben said: ‘I came back for two reasons, really. I wanted to see, is there any way I could give back to this icon that has given me so much? And also… you,’ he said to Andy. ‘To see you do what you’re doing now and to be so proud of you’
Andy replied: ‘I’m giving you the biggest hug, ’cause I don’t think I can do it anymore. Well done, buddy’
‘And also… you,’ he said to Andy. ‘To see you do what you’re doing now and to be so proud of you.’
Andy replied: ‘I’m giving you the biggest hug, ’cause I don’t think I can do it anymore. Well done, buddy.’
After his elimination Ben told Ten Daily that he always expected his best friend to judge him fairly.
Only fair: After his elimination Ben told Ten Daily that he always expected his best friend to judge him fairly
‘One thing I know about [Andy] is he’s one of the most trustworthy, reliable, honest people that you’ll ever meet. He was always going to judge me for the dish I put up.’
‘A lot of people had this perception that, because he knows me so well, Andy was going to go easy on me. I went in with a completely different frame of mind,’ he said.
Earlier this month, it was speculated that the restaurateur might have an ‘unfair advantage’ as he has been ‘best mates’ with judge Andy for the last eight years.
Close! Earlier this month, it was speculated that the restaurateur might have an ‘unfair advantage’ as he has been ‘best mates’ with judge Andy for the last eight years
No issue! MasterChef viewers were worried that Andy could give preferential treatment to Ben when judging, according to New Idea
MasterChef viewers were worried that Andy could give preferential treatment to Ben when judging, according to New Idea.
Andy and Ben met on MasterChef season four in 2012 and the pair have been close friends ever since.
The cooking duo travelled extensively together for SBS Food series Andy and Ben Eat The World in 2016 and Andy and Ben Eat Australia in 2017.
In addition to being friends, Andy and Ben are also business partners as they are both part-owners of TV production company Cultivate Productions.
Mates: Andy and Ben met on MasterChef season four in 2012 and the pair have been close friends ever since