MKR 2026 Episode 16 recap: Tiffany and Giancarlo eliminated by one point – Tiffany and Giancarlo’s My Kitchen Rules journey has ended after the Victorian couple lost the final Kitchen HQ elimination by the narrowest possible margin.
The pair finished on 26 points, just one point behind Zoe and Zac on 27. The result secured Zoe and Zac a place in the top five and sent the engaged Victorians home after an ambitious two-course banquet unravelled at dessert.
The episode’s strategic guest scoring also mattered. With Angus unwell, Simon represented the South Australian mates alone and openly planned to score Tiffany and Giancarlo down while lifting Zoe and Zac’s average.
“I want to make sure that my scores are really low for Giancarlo and Tiffany to drag that average down, and for Zac and Zoe, I’m going to inflate it a bit to drag their team average up.”
Simon
Tiffany and Giancarlo take on an ambitious Italian menu
Tiffany and Giancarlo served fresh tagliatelle with ragu, braciole di cotica and meatballs, accompanied by focaccia and a radicchio salad. Judges Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge praised the pasta and sauce, while the range of meats showed the couple’s ambition.
However, the dish needed more seasoning and flavour, and the scale of the menu left them under pressure. Their dessert preparation had not begun before the main course was served, creating a costly race against the clock.
Their strawberry tiramisu hit a major setback when Tiffany realised the savoiardi mixture had been made without flour.
“This is an elimination cook-off, and I’ve forgotten the flour.”
Tiffany
The couple recovered enough to plate the dessert, but the judges found that it lacked the structure expected of a tiramisu.
“It’s a piece of flat sugar in the cream with some strawberries.”
Colin Fassnidge
Zoe and Zac survive with a seafood spread
Zoe and Zac countered with lobster rolls, salt-and-pepper squid, grilled prawns, oysters, chunky chips, pear and rocket salad, and tartare sauce. Their lobster and miso prawns impressed the judges, and the team showed that it had listened to feedback from earlier cooks.
The tartare sauce did not deliver the same impact, but the seafood main kept them in contention. Their rhubarb and strawberry crumble with custard and rhubarb shards was less successful: the strawberries, undercooked topping and bland custard drew criticism.
“Crumble is nice, but is it competition-worthy at this time in the competition?”
Manu Feildel
MKR Episode 16 scores
Both teams received identical dessert scores from the judges, leaving the guest-team scores to decide the elimination.
| Dessert scores | Tiffany and Giancarlo | Zoe and Zac |
|---|---|---|
| Colin Fassnidge | 4 | 4 |
| Manu Feildel | 3 | 3 |
| Total | 7 | 7 |
| Guest team | Tiffany and Giancarlo | Zoe and Zac |
|---|---|---|
| Mary and Golden | 7 | 7 |
| Sheridan and Ted | 5 | 7 |
| Harrison and Oliver | 4 | 7 |
| Simon | 3 | 8 |
| Guest average | 5 | 7 |
| Final result | Tiffany and Giancarlo | Zoe and Zac |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 26/50 | 27/50 |
| Outcome | Eliminated | Top five |
Simon made no secret of the impact he believed his scores had made.
“Zac and Zoe, you’re welcome.”
Simon
Tiffany and Giancarlo farewell MKR
Despite the disappointment, Tiffany and Giancarlo said the competition had strengthened their plans to keep cooking together.
“We’re just so sad to be out of the competition, but we’re absolutely going to continue our food dream.”
Tiffany
Manu encouraged the couple to continue their culinary journey beyond the competition.
“Tiffany and Giancarlo, my little lovebirds, your food story together will continue. Au revoir and good luck.”
Manu Feildel
Who made the MKR top five?
The confirmed top five teams are Zoe and Zac, Mary and Golden, Sheridan and Ted, Harrison and Oliver, and Angus and Simon.
The competition now moves into the Ultimate Instant Restaurants. Each team must prepare two entrees, two mains and two desserts, with Harrison and Oliver hosting first. The new round also introduces open critiques at the table, while Angus and Simon face added attention after Simon’s strategic scoring in the elimination.
My Kitchen Rules continues Monday at 7.30pm on Channel 7 and 7plus.
For more TV Central MKR news and recaps, head here, and stream episodes on the official 7plus MKR page.