MasterChef 2020: Simon Toohey sent home after disappointing broccoli dish

A MasterChef favourite has just missed out on a spot in the top 10 after serving up a veggie dish that failed to impress.

Vegetable king Simon Toohey has been sent packing from the MasterChef: Back to Win kitchen after serving up a “naked broccoli” dish that failed to impress the judges.

The Canberra chef from season 11 just missed out on a spot in the top 10, pipped at the post by Sarah Tiong, Reynold Poernomo and Tessa Boersma.

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In a two-pronged elimination that saw the contestants first tasked with serving up an Aussie classic — a pie with sauce — Simon produced a stout beef pie that “didn’t have a lovely flavour,” according to judge Andy Allen, landing him in the group sent to the next round.

Joining him was Sarah T, whose pork pie was “dry”, Tessa, whose sauce was too sweet and beef overcooked, as well as Reynold, whose chicken and leek pie pastry let him down.

But up against Reynold’s ripper second-round dessert, Sarah’s charcoal chicken and Tessa’s pork with sea succulents, Simon’s broccoli dish was far from a hit.

Jock Zonfrillo was clearly not a fan. Picture: Channel 10.

Simon was sent home in tonight’s top 10 episode. Picture: Channel 10.

As he was sent home from his second chance at winning MasterChef, the judges thanked him for his infectious energy and team spirit.

Earlier this season, the affable contestant was left red-faced after fans noticed he made a silly blunder during one episode's taste test challenge.

The fast-paced challenge saw contestants attempt to name popular takeaway dishes as well as their country of origin.

At one stage Simon accidentally wrote that duck's country of origin was ‘pancake’, before quickly managing to scribble out his answer and rewrite the words 'duck pancake' and ‘China’, before it was time to show the judges.

Addressing the gaffe on his Instagram, he wrote: “We need to discuss the elephant/pancake in the room”, along with a screen-grab of the embarrassing moment.

“Obviously (I) corrected this answer promptly after this shot … as last time I checked ‘pancake’ isn’t a country,” Simon wrote.

“But if it is … where? And can I come?” he joked.

As he left the competition on Sunday night, Simon expressed that he’d be pursuing his love of vegetables in his cooking ventures beyond the show.

“I’m really proud of how honest and true I’ve been. I love plant-based cooking I love sustainability. Post MasterChef I’m going to fly with it as far as I can and really focus on making this my goal.”

MasterChef: Back to Win continues Tuesday night from 7.30 on Ten.