{"id":273477,"date":"2025-11-09T15:28:21","date_gmt":"2025-11-09T15:28:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/273477\/"},"modified":"2025-11-09T15:28:21","modified_gmt":"2025-11-09T15:28:21","slug":"justin-and-will-secure-first-mkr-grand-final-spot-as-danielle-and-marko-leave-the-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/273477\/","title":{"rendered":"Justin and Will secure first MKR grand final spot as Danielle and Marko leave the competition"},"content":{"rendered":"

Justin and Will have claimed the first My Kitchen Rules grand final spot after WA couple Danielle and Marko were eliminated from the competition on Sunday night.<\/p>\n

Despite their elimination, the West Aussies said the show has helped them fall even further in love with cooking with Danielle even leaving behind her career as a disability support worker to focus on food while Marko said his attention remains on building their house.<\/p>\n

The first semi-final saw both teams deliver standout dishes in the kitchen, but it was the NSW dads, who made bold, high-risk decisions, that ultimately scored higher.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt was probably the worst-case scenario in terms of who we had to verse (sic) in the semi-final,\u201d Marko told 7NEWS.com.au.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Justin and Will are the strongest team, but that sort of took the pressure off us a little because we weren\u2019t expected to win.\u201d<\/p>\n

With just two knockout courses to impress the judges, both teams had two hours to prepare their mains and one hour for dessert.<\/p>\n

Justin and Will doubled down with the riskiest dish of the competition \u2014 a daring Sri Lankan tripe curry with carrot sambal and paratha, followed by a technically challenging dessert.<\/p>\n

Manu called it \u201ca very ballsy dish\u201d while Colin praised their ambition.<\/p>\n

\"DanielleDanielle and Marko were eliminated on Sunday night but the team from Perth are proud of what they plated up. Credit: Dylan Coker\/ITV\"JustinJustin and Will took a risk with their tripe curry, which ultimately paid off. Credit: Dylan Coker\/ITV<\/p>\n

Danielle and Marko leaned into their strengths, serving an Asian-inspired main of miso-glazed salmon with soba noodles and a smashed cucumber salad.<\/p>\n

After mains, Manu and Colin announced Justin and Will were narrowly in the lead \u2014 meaning it all came down to dessert.<\/p>\n

Danielle and Marko plated up a pandan meringue, while Justin and Will went all in with a daring chocolate souffl\u00e9 that had them racing against the clock.<\/p>\n

In the end, the judges declared Justin and Will the winners, sending them through to the grand finale.<\/p>\n

\"NSWNSW dads Justin and Will will cook in the grand final. Credit: Dylan Coker\/ITV<\/p>\n

Despite missing out, Danielle said they had no regrets.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were really proud and happy with what we cooked,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe just weren\u2019t the better cooks on the night. The boys did better and made it through to the grand final.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marko added that by this stage of the competition, their focus was on enjoying the experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were underdogs in the situation, so we wanted to make sure we had fun and were present,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I think that was reflected in our food on the night.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hearing they had missed out on the grand final was \u201cbittersweet\u201d Danielle admitted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re so proud of how far we made it, but it\u2019s also sad to get so close and just miss out,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we\u2019re really happy with how we cooked and so happy for the boys.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve been amazing throughout the entire competition \u2014 they deserve it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"DanielleDanielle and Marko left the competition a stronger couple. Credit: Dylan Coker\/ITV\"TheThe couple said leaving the competition was \u201cbittersweet\u201d. Credit: Dylan Coker\/ITV<\/p>\n

Reflecting on their MKR journey, the couple \u2014 who have been together for seven years \u2014 said the competition had brought them closer.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the start, we were so focused on doing a good job that we didn\u2019t realise how the experience was affecting our relationship,\u201d Marko said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m quite laser-focused on one task at a time, while Danielle is trying to get as much done as possible.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe realised we balance each other out. I think we walked out of the competition much stronger.\u201d<\/p>\n

Danielle added cooking for Manu and Colin was \u201cunreal\u201d and their feedback helped her see cooking in a new light.<\/p>\n

While she joked that they\u2019re \u201cback to packaged noodles and not making noodles from scratch every night\u201d she said the MKR experience has only deepened their love of food.<\/p>\n

Since filming wrapped, Danielle has left her full-time job as a disability employment services officer to pursue her passion for travel and food writing through her Instagram Dining with Danz.<\/a><\/p>\n

And after fellow contestants Michael and Rielli got engaged post-show, could another MKR proposal be on the cards?<\/p>\n

Marko laughed: \u201cWe\u2019re currently building a house and have a lot going on\u2026 so ask me again in 10 years.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tomorrow on MKR, the last spot in the grand final is up for grabs, as Logan besties Lol and Lil go head-to-head with boss friends Maria and Bailey.<\/p>\n

My Kitchen Rules continues 7.30pm Monday on Seven and 7plus.<\/p>\n

Eliminated MKR team\u2019s biggest regret after missing out on a semi-final spot<\/p>\n

3 min read<\/p>\n

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How MKR\u2019s most strategic couple are fighting for a final spot: \u2018Table is turning on us\u2019<\/p>\n

2 min read<\/p>\n

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