Michael Weldon

This season, contestants compete in teams in the ultimate David vs Goliath battle. In the first challenge, they must cook a dish which recognises their strengths.

On day two, the room is set up for a massive service challenge. One team are at a clear advantage, with most of them well-versed in operating in commercial kitchens.

The contestants have a good old-fashioned lucky dip, where each row of cloches has a different theme - fruit & vegetables, herbs & spices, pantry items, and a curve cloche.

The two teams must use the MasterChef food pyramid as their pantry - with different layers for fruits, grains, proteins, and sweets.

The teams' next challenge is to prepare a three-course lunch service at the Merivale Felix restaurant in Sydney.

Today's guest chef is Adriano Zumbo and his Polly Wanna Waffle is more difficult than any other dish he has presented in the kitchen.