In the high-stakes world of My Kitchen Rules 2025, the kitchen battlefield has already claimed its share of casualties—dreams dashed, aprons abandoned, and epic feasts forgotten. But here's where it gets controversial: are the judges' scores really fair, or just a subjective gut reaction? Stick around as we unpack every elimination so far, keeping you on the edge of your seat for the next showdown at Kitchen HQ.
Seasons like this one on My Kitchen Rules are all about pushing culinary boundaries, and the 2025 edition is no exception. Contestants face off in thrilling challenges, from the high-pressure Instant Restaurant rounds—where teams transform eateries into their own themed dining spaces in just one day—to the intense eliminations at Kitchen HQ, judged by culinary titans Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnider. For beginners tuning in, think of it as a speed test: imagine whipping up a full meal service for strangers while cameras roll and critics wait. It's not just cooking; it's a test of nerves, creativity, and that elusive perfect dish. And this year, some teams nailed it with flawless scores of 10, while others faced harsh critiques that sank as low as 2. Who flopped and who flew high? Let's break it down, round by round, with all the juicy details on who got voted off the island—and who emerged victorious.
And this is the part most people miss: the eliminations aren't always about outright disasters; sometimes, it's the smallest slip-up that seals the fate. Let's start at the top with the most recent send-off.
Who Got the Boot Tonight from My Kitchen Rules?
Discover the latest casualty from the Ultimate Instant Restaurant round in Episode 21.
Mark & Tan from South Australia
This dynamic duo from SA had their sights set on a stellar score in the 90s, but the relentless kitchen chaos overwhelmed them. Sure, parts of their meal were executed well, but the flavors often clashed in bewildering ways. As a result, they plummeted to the bottom of the standings and became the fifth team to exit My Kitchen Rules 2025.
For a full rundown of how they stacked up against the competition, check out the MKR leaderboard breakdown here (https://www.bhg.com.au/lifestyle/mkr-leaderboard-2025/).
Kitchen HQ Round 2: Heartbreak and Triumph
In Episode 16, the stakes were sky-high as teams battled it out in the second Kitchen HQ elimination challenge.
Eliminated: Michael & Rielli from Queensland
Michael and Rielli poured every ounce of passion into their performance, convinced they'd ace it. And they nearly did—they missed the top spot by a mere single point, making this a truly gut-wrenching exit. Their main event was an all-out pork extravaganza: succulent pulled pork, smoky baby back ribs, crisp apple slaw, and pillowy soft rolls. Manu praised the ribs as "a little bit like Rielli, sweet," appreciating their tenderness, though he suggested adding more salt to balance the sweetness. Colin concurred on the ribs' melt-in-your-mouth quality but noted the pulled pork could use extra seasoning to amp up the flavor.
For dessert, they dazzled with crème brûlée donuts. Manu was effusive, declaring, "I think I’m going to steal that recipe." He even playfully quipped he'd tweak it for perfection by darkening the caramel to eliminate chewiness. The donut itself was airy and light, stuffed with a velvety, rich cream— the star of the show. Colin chimed in, saying, "When you open your patisserie shop, I will be buying those donuts… when you’ve perfected the recipe." It was a close call, but not close enough.
- Team Score: 7/10
- Colin's Score: 7/10
- Manu's Score: 7/10
- Total: 21/30
Winners: Danielle & Marco
Danielle and Marco stole the show in Round 2 with their irresistible eye fillet feast that had the crowd cheering. The spread featured juicy eye fillet steaks paired with indulgent duck fat potatoes, creamed spinach, earthy mushrooms, zesty chimichurri, and a robust peppercorn sauce. Those duck fat potatoes? Absolute perfection—crispy, golden, and bursting with flavor. The chimichurri added a vibrant kick that unified the plate masterfully.
Dessert brought a nostalgic twist with a traditional banoffee pie. Manu called it "delicious, not too sweet," while Colin reminisced, "This dish was a real crowd pleaser, the glass bowl brought me back to being 12 in my house." It was a masterpiece they'd gladly reorder, capping off a flawless victory.
- Team Score: 7/10
- Colin's Score: 7/10
- Manu's Score: 7/10
- Total: 22/30
Kitchen HQ Round 1: Slip-Ups and Standouts
Episode 14 saw the inaugural Kitchen HQ elimination test the teams' mettle.
Eliminated: Anne & Maree from Victoria
Anne and Maree invested their souls into this challenge, delivering heartfelt cuisine. Their centerpiece was a bountiful Greek spread: lamb shoulder, zesty lemon potatoes, dolmades, fresh Greek salad, and creamy tzatziki. It radiated authentic taste and homespun warmth, but a minor error tipped the scales. The lamb was unevenly sliced, leading to inconsistent doneness—some parts juicy and tender, others chewy. This hiccup dragged their rating down, yet they redeemed themselves with a timeless Greek treat, Ekmek kataifi. The flavors hit the mark, even if the base was a tad firm, leaving them in a tight race to the end.
- Team Score: 7/10
- Colin's Score: 6/10
- Manu's Score: 6/10
- Total: 19/30
Winners: Lol & Lil
Lol and Lil clinched Round 1 with a soul-soothing Sunday roast that felt like comfort food heaven. The lineup included impeccably roasted chicken, charred veggies, airy Yorkshire puddings, and luscious gravy. Their dessert, an ambitious profiterole tower, fell short—the choux pastry came out petite and skimpy on filling—but it didn't derail their win.
- Team Score: 7/10
- Colin's Score: 7/10
- Manu's Score: 7/10
- Total: 21/30
Instant Restaurant Rounds: Early Exits
The competition kicked off with these lightning-fast challenges, where teams had just one day to conceptualize and execute a themed restaurant pop-up. It’s a beginner’s nightmare—planning menus, sourcing ingredients, and serving under scrutiny. Scores soared to perfect 10s for brilliance, but plummeted for flops.
Episode 12: Amy & Lara from Queensland
Amy and Lara aimed for the ultimate 110/110, but the kitchen heat led to chaos, relegating them to last place and an early exit after their debut cook. They were the second team ousted from My Kitchen Rules 2025.
Dive deeper into their performance with the MKR leaderboard here (https://www.bhg.com.au/lifestyle/mkr-leaderboard-2025/).
Episode 6: Mel & Jacinta from New South Wales
Mel and Jacinta were the pioneers of elimination in 2025, the first to bid farewell. After boasting big at the table, they were humbled by serving a three-course meal to teams and judges. Their pop-up, Beverly Social, vowed LA-inspired "delicious and nutritious" fare, but it couldn't sustain their run.
For more on their scores, visit the MKR leaderboard breakdown (https://www.bhg.com.au/lifestyle/mkr-leaderboard-2025/).
But here's where it gets controversial: Do the judges' critiques sometimes overlook cultural authenticity in favor of technical perfection? For instance, Anne & Maree's Greek feast was praised for heart, yet penalized for uneven lamb—could this be bias toward uniformity over soul? What do you think—should Manu and Colin weigh flavor innovation higher? Share your thoughts in the comments below; we'd love to hear if you agree or disagree!
Want the full scoop on My Kitchen Rules 2025? Learn everything we've uncovered about the new season here (https://www.bhg.com.au/lifestyle/my-kitchen-rules-2025/), including where past MKR champions are now (https://www.bhg.com.au/lifestyle/mkr-where-are-they-now/), and a closer look at the contestants shaking things up (https://www.bhg.com.au/lifestyle/my-kitchen-rules-contestants-2025/). Plus, see who's dominating the MKR leaderboard so far (https://www.bhg.com.au/lifestyle/mkr-leaderboard-2025/).
Writer: Jade Coull (https://www.bhg.com.au/author/jade-coull/) Senior Content Producer
After earning her Journalism degree from UTS, Jade has thrived in radio, print, and broadcast worlds, recently at Paramount crafting content for beloved shows like MasterChef and Australian Survivor. Today, she weaves her passions for food, design, and nature into compelling stories, and she's the creative force behind BHG's Instagram and TikTok videos. Off-duty, you'll catch her whipping up meals with her spouse, nurturing her plant collection, diving into a great novel, or penning her own tales.
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