On Sunday’s episode of MasterChef Australia, the first contestant eliminated from the 2024 season was sent home.
James Holmes was voted off the show after his squid dish failed to impress the judges.
The 38-year-old from Western Australia offered up squid with a parsley and tahini sauce and a wattleseed pitta.
Unfortunately, the judges found the squid tough and undercooked with Poh Ling Yeow calling it one of the episode’s ‘least impressive dishes’.
‘James, with conflicting flavours and undercooked squid, your execution just wasn’t there’ Sofia Levin said.

On Sunday’s episode of MasterChef Australia , the first contestant eliminated from the 2024 season was sent home. James Holmes was voted off the show after his squid dish failed to impress the judges. Pictured
‘In the end, one of your dishes missed the mark more than the others. It’s for that reason, James, I’m sorry, you’re going home.’
James, who originally hails from England, took the loss well.
‘It’s been a wonderful experience. It’s been a privilege to be with these guys and to be cooking in front of your kind of watchful eyes’ he said.
‘And I’d like to thank you all for the opportunity, but also the compassion in which you kind of deliver not so good news.’
James added: ‘I’m proud of myself. It’s that weird feeling of being proud of yourself, but also quite disappointed.

The 38-year-old from Western Australia offered up squid with a parsley and tahini sauce and a wattleseed pitta

Unfortunately, the judges found the squid tough and undercooked with Poh Ling Yeow calling it one of the episode’s ‘least impressive dishes’
‘But, you know, it’s not, “Be the best.” It’s just, “Try your best and enjoy it.” So, yeah, I’m proud of that.’
He had earlier shared his aspirations of becoming a chef in his adopted hometown of Murray River.
‘I’m originally from London, England and now I live in Perth, Western Australia. If I were to follow my food dream, I’d open a café down in Yunderup’ James said.
‘There’s a closed-down café down there, and I just think it would be the most beautiful place to try and do some interesting food.’
He continued: ‘You’ve got this amazing farmland. You’re right on the river. Then, you know, I’ll be doing a service to a place I love.’

James, who originally hails from England, took the loss well. ‘It’s been a wonderful experience. It’s been a privilege to be with these guys and to be cooking in front of your kind of watchful eyes’ he said