The NSW best friends Zoe and Zac joined My Kitchen Rules for the second Instant Restaurant round. They arrived after Jane and Shane’s first-round elimination. At Sheridan and Ted’s dinner, Zoe explained that she would taste the components she could eat, with Zac assessing the meat.
Speaking to New Idea, Zoe described the welcome as brutal and said the dinner involved far more questioning than viewers saw: “14 hours of being scrutinised”. That is her recollection of the evening.
She understood that her diet raised questions about tasting, but felt she and Zac had become easy targets. Angus and Simon were among the original contestants who challenged her place in the competition, despite vegetarian Jacinta appearing last season.
Zoe believes earlier notice would not have spared her the criticism. She questioned why objections to her eligibility were directed at her rather than production, while Zac said they had completed the same casting requirements as everyone else.
Sheridan And Ted Wanted A Chance To Cater
For Sheridan and Ted, the problem was the timing. The WA mother and son told New Idea they had already served their entrée when they learnt about Zoe’s diet, leaving later hosts with more time to plan.
They adjusted where they could and were relieved to understand why food had gone untouched. Zoe said the pair supported her, and the two teams bonded early.
Entering late already felt difficult for Sheridan and Ted. They were disappointed to be gatecrashers and worried about joining contestants whose friendships were established, but said confidence in their cooking kept them focused.
There Is Still Room For Meat On The Menu
Colin Fassnidge told TV WEEK that tasting and thoughtful feedback were his priorities. He wanted contestants to respect the work behind the meal. In the same article, Manu Feildel’s comments welcoming different diets were identified as coming from the 2025 season.
Zoe and Zac plan to serve a pescatarian menu at their Instant Restaurant, but have not ruled out cooking meat in Kitchen HQ challenges. Zac already cooks it, and Zoe knew those challenges could arise. They want to show what they can make within her dietary preferences.
