With favourites faltering and fresh energy crashing into the mix, MKR’s next chapter promises fireworks both in and out of the kitchen.

My Kitchen Rules took a dramatic turn on Monday night as three bold new teams crashed the competition, while one of the original duos waved goodbye.

The arrival of the so-called “Gatecrashers” turned up the heat in kitchens across the country, setting the stage for an unpredictable second round of Instant Restaurants.

My Kitchen Rules saw its competition dynamic shift dramatically, as late arrivals tested the patience of original teams. (image – Channel 7)

The evening began with the fallout from last week’s scoreboard shake-up. Justin and Will, the self-proclaimed best mates from New South Wales, secured top spot with a combined score of 79, closely followed by Victorian mother-and-daughter duo Anne and Maree with 78.

Both teams were fast-tracked to Kitchen HQ, leaving the others to battle it out on the road. At the other end of the ladder, cousins Mel and Jacinta were sent home, finishing on a disappointing 50.

That left Maria and Bailey (68), Michael and Rielli (65), and Lol and Lil (64) to regroup for another round of Instant Restaurants. But before they could sharpen their knives, three fresh faces stepped in to shake up the game.

My Kitchen Rules introduced a trio of Gatecrashers who immediately raised tensions, leaving the original teams scrambling to hold their ground. (image – Channel 7)

Danielle and Marko – The Happy Couple

From Perth, Danielle (26) and Marko (26) radiated positivity as they joined the competition. The bubbly couple first met at a music festival seven years ago and have been inseparable since. Danielle works as a project officer for a specialist employment company while also running a side hustle reviewing Perth’s restaurants and bars on social media. Marko, a truck driving instructor in his family’s business, is known for his upbeat outlook and Serbian-inspired cooking.

Danielle’s signature desserts include a banoffee pie and miso brownies, while Marko takes pride in cooking whole lamb on the spit. Together, they claim their strength lies in balancing her technical precision with his instinct for flavours.

As Marko cheekily put it: “The only thing I love more than winning is not losing.”

Mark and Tan – The Competitive Mates

Next through the door were Mark (35) and Tan (27) from South Australia. The pair first bonded five years ago at a martial arts event and quickly became firm friends.

Mark, a country boy turned gym consultant, describes his cooking style as modern Australian and Italian-inspired. He’s self-taught in the kitchen but isn’t shy about showing off his skills, whether with food or the occasional magic trick. Tan, meanwhile, grew up in a Thai household and now owns three bars in Adelaide. Outgoing and fiercely competitive, he aims to bring the energy of martial arts discipline to the MKR kitchen.

Together, they plan to showcase the vibrancy of Thai food while keeping the competition on its toes. Mark’s warning was clear: “The OGs should definitely be intimidated.”

Amy and Lara – The Divorcees

Queensland’s Amy (45) and Lara (36) came armed with brash humour and confidence. Both are single mums navigating life after divorce, and though they’ve only been friends for two years, their bond is tight.

Amy is a stay-at-home mum and self-taught cook with dreams of being a baker since childhood. Raised on a farm, she loves creating flavour-packed sharing feasts. Lara, a tech consultant, combines her dry wit with a love of food as a creative escape from the office. She describes herself as a hybrid of her parents’ cooking styles – her mum’s precise recipes and her dad’s freestyle approach.

They’re not afraid to ruffle feathers. Lara summed up their approach bluntly: “We’re here to crash the party. We like to cook; we like to have fun.”

The Original Teams Bite Back

While the newcomers strutted in with confidence, not everyone was impressed. Michael, one half of the opinionated Queensland couple, fired the first shot.

“These Gatecrashers have no idea what they’re in for and they need to be put in their place.”

With tensions simmering, the stage was set for a fiery round of Instant Restaurants. Would the late arrivals prove their worth, or would the established teams defend their ground?

One thing’s certain – with personalities this big and dishes this bold, the competition is about to get spicier than ever.