A surprise twist and 3 new teams: Everything going down on My Kitchen Rules 2024.

Is there anything more therapeutic than a cooking competition? Apparently so, because after the shock revelations in the most recent My Kitchen Rules episode, our stress levels could not be higher.

This year promised the best of the best when it came to the contestants, who were expected to serve up some of the most incredible home-cooked meals in the competition's history. And so far, things are heating up.

This last episode saw a dramatic double elimination and… dun dun dun… new teams being introduced.

In the lead up to this revelation, celebrity chef judges and co-hosts, Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge had warned everyone that the show was going to mix things up.

"We have said all along on MKR to expect the unexpected. There's a twist coming. Every place on the leaderboard matters, and at the end of the night you will find out why."

Sadly, we had to say goodbye to siblings Danny and Sonia, as well as mum duo Ash and Cassie.

On the other hand, we also welcomed three new gatecrasher teams who are sure to shake up the competition.

So, who are the 2024 My Kitchen Rules contestants? Which teams are still around, and who are the new gatecrashers?

Meet the My Kitchen Rules 2024 contestants.

Ash and Cassie - eliminated

Ash and Cassie on MKR 2024. Image: Channel 7

Unfortunately for these two talented ladies, they have been eliminated from MKR 2024, scoring the second-lowest with 60 points. But that doesn't mean we won't miss their unique approach to food.

These two young mums and self-professed "food science nerds" have health on their mind.

Ash is a former Pilates instructor who loves the outdoors, as well as anything health and fitness related.

Cassie, a beach-lover and author of her own book, Meet the Macros, is a lover of food and the science that backs it up. As an Austrian/Filipino cook, she hopes to use this platform to pay homage to her roots.

The two were excited to bring their take on 'Mediterr-asian' cuisine, using healthy ingredients.

"As a fertility, pregnancy and postpartum dietitian, my mission is to inspire Australians to get into the kitchen and cook with tasty and nutritious whole foods to influence the health of future generations," Ash said.

Cassie continued, "I believe I have what it takes to win with Ash by my side while utilising healthier alternatives. I want to show Australia that tasty meals can also be healthy."

Danny and Sonia - eliminated

Danny and Sonia on MKR 2024. Image: Channel 7

Sad but maybe not so much a surprise, these fan-favourite siblings have also been eliminated from MKR. A disappointing filet mignon from the duo prompted Manu to refer to the dish as "wet cardboard."

Danny and Sonia are a larger-than-life brother/sister duo, and they will certainly be missed.

If there's something these two have in common, it's the fact that they are hard-working and love their families. As a father of two (and even grandad!), Danny works as a butcher. Sonia, also a mum of two herself, owns her own cleaning business as her day job. At the end of the day, both Danny and Sonia shared that their life's ambition is to make enough money to be able to work less and spend more time with family.

The siblings learnt homestyle cooking and hard yakka work ethic from their Nonna and are believers in the phrase, "food is home and home is where their heart is."

When it comes to their team dynamic, Danny described it as "fast and furious with passion."

"Me and my bro. We're a bit crazy. We go off the cuff a bit. We're a ball of energy and good times," said Sonia.

Janey and Maddie - newcomer

Gatecrashers Caz and Fergus, Janey and Maddie, Andrea and Robert. Image; Channel 7

These newbies are a fabulous mother-daughter duo from Victoria. They are two glamorous city gals who enjoy all things fine food and fine dining.

Mother Janey is notorious for her style, and wouldn't be caught anywhere without a blow-dry, lippy and good pair of heels, and she brings the same meticulous approach to her cooking.

Meanwhile, her daughter Maddie is trendy and fashionable — just like her mum — and always has health at the front of her mind.

"I used to watch MKR with my mum. I love food and love being competitive, so it's a perfect match for me. To be with my daughter Maddie on this journey is an experienceof a lifetime. Cooking on MKR is a dream, but winning the crown would be the icing on the cake," Janey said about joining the competition.

Caz and Fergus - newcomer

Next of the gatecrashers are this mother and son pairing who are just too sweet for words.

As a pair, they love to drink wine and have a little banter together. Aside from being a fantastic cook, Fergus is also a musician and his mum is his biggest fan.

Having lived in rural NSW for most of their lives, these two are passionate about a paddock-to-plate approach to cooking.

"Cooking is a way to bring everyone together and share something delicious over a bottle of wine," Fergus said when asked what the activity means to him.

"Cooking is my way of showing people how much I care for them," Caz echoed.

Robert and Andrea - newcomer

A new couple has also joined the scene as gatecrashers. Married couple Robert and Andrea are here and ready to be the first Germans to win MKR.

As a jewellery business owner by day, Robert is driven and direct in his approach. Meanwhile, Andrea works as a clinical nurse in aged care, and is known for her compassionate and caring nature.

Together, they hope to capture the richness and complexity of German cuisine and showcase their culture pride.

"Cooking is a highlight of the day. I find it relaxing and enjoy sharing food with friends," Robert shared.

Rob and Liam

Rob and Liam on MKR 2024. Images: Channel 7

Brothers Rob and Liam have an 18-month age gap between them, and when they're not competing with one another, they're also the best of friends. 

The two boys learnt to cook by helping their mother in the kitchen. They describe her as an "absolute weapon in the kitchen", and still call on her for cooking tips and tricks. 

Rob is the eldest and, having been a tradie, claims to be much tougher than his little brother. Liam, on the other hand, is cheeky and funny and expects to be keeping the banter alive and well on MKR. 

When asked about what food and cooking means to them, the two boys are aligned.

"It's a way to connect with loved ones and express creativity," Rob said. 

It's clear that family is of great importance to these two brothers, who are confident that their witty banter and easy-going nature will allow them to take their cooking to the next level on MKR. 

Simone and Viviana 

Simone and Viviana on MKR 2024. Image: Channel 7

Describing themselves as "confident, passionate, edgy and honest" these two best friends are ready to serve their opinions and food on MKR. 

The well-dressed pair of friends have known each other for three years and are best known for their "traditional Italian with a twist".

Viviana was originally working for Simone as a barber and now owns her own salon, where she cuts Simone's hair every week. 

Simone, meanwhile, owns a small Italian takeaway business that sells Roman style pizza by the slice. Yum! 

The two are opinionated and are known for speaking their mind, something we're sure we'll see plenty of through the run of MKR this season. 

"Tight knit," Simone answered, when asked about their dynamic. "We trust each other and work well together, always playing to each other 's strengths. We keep the communication flowing and support each other which makes for a great vibe in the kitchen." 

Viviana added jokingly, "Simone is the head chef. I'm pretty much the dishy!"

Hannah and Lawrence 

Hannah and Lawrence on MKR 2024. Image: Channel 7

Hannah and Lawrence are a couple who have been together for 18 months, and they're looking to lock it down if they win MKR this year.

"It's no secret I want to marry Hannah. If we won, we'd put the money towards a wedding and buying a house together. $100,000 is a lot of money and could really kick start our lives together," said Lawrence. 

While the two are inseparable and share many similarities, Lawrence credits Hannah for helping him see the meaning behind food and cooking.

"For a long time, food and cooking didn't mean a lot to me, it was merely a means to stay full. After meeting Hannah that all changed," he said. 

"All my greatest memories in life have been celebrated around food. Food is love, connection and joy," Hannah said. 

Mike and Pete

Mike and Pete on MKR 2024. Image: Channel 7

These two long-time friends share many things, but most importantly, their Italian heritage and their passion for home-style cooking. 

In terms of their unique traits, Pete promises to bring a flair to the plating, while Mike is sure his honest and entertaining banter will take this season's conversations to the next level. 

"I like to try new things. I am adventurous with my cooking and like to push myself, sometimes to my own detriment. I am pretty confident with balancing flavours but also love our traditional Italian cuisine," said Pete. 

Mike, on the other hand, likes to focus on the foundations of his cooking, nailing the basics, and keeping things simple and delicious, as most home-cooking is.

"I think I have all the basic skills and a little more. I would say that I am a great home cook," Mike said. 

My Kitchen Rules airs Tuesday and Wednesday, 7:30pm, on Channel Seven.

Feature Image: Channel Seven.

This article was originally published in September 2024 and has since been updated.