MasterChef Australia staged a single‑elimination Heat Week pressure test that forced contestants to build dishes around chillies, with judges pressing cooks on spice technique and timing. Judges Luke and Poh interrogated competitors on how they used heat; Luke admitted he put no chilli into his own dish and instead told a childhood story about eating a birdseye. Viewers and posts noted the chillies stocked by contestants included Birds Eye, jalapeño, red and green cayenne, and offered safety tips such as wearing gloves to avoid eye irritation. Contestants named in posts included Vinnie, who attempted an Italian dish, and Aaron, whom some hoped would win immunity; Pat and Petro were praised as consistent performers. Several posts said judging airtime sometimes exceeded cooking footage during the episode. The single‑elimination format meant the chilli‑focused pressure test directly determined who advanced and who left the competition that night.
