MasterChef Israel Finalists Revealed After Emotional Elimination

The top three contestants for the "MasterChef: Dream Team" competition have been determined after a challenging episode that saw one hopeful eliminated just before the grand finale. The season featured contestants who had previously competed and were given a second chance to win.

Following a previous episode where Haim Cohen secured his spot, Sunday's broadcast focused on determining the remaining two finalists. Contestants Manal, Gal, and Eliyahu were tasked with creating a winning dish incorporating mushrooms, a key ingredient chosen by the judges. After this round, the second finalist was decided.

In a subsequent cook-off between the final two, they were challenged to prepare the ultimate mushroom dish. Eliyahu Sasson impressed the judges with his mushroom soup featuring egg yolk pearls and pasta crisps, earning high praise for its complexity and flavor. Chef Avi Biton described it as "a journey on a plate," while Chef Eyal Shani called it "simply a dream."

Gal Kaspers ultimately secured the second finalist position after a close competition, decided by a single point. She recreated a childhood favorite, mushroom and chestnut anelotti in a creamy mushroom sauce, which Shani noted showed "pure nostalgia, just with more elegance and knowledge."

Manal Ismail, who finished in fourth place, was visibly emotional upon her elimination. Judges commended her for bringing honor to Arab cuisine and for the soul and heart she infused into her dishes. Manal expressed pride in her accomplishments, vowing to open more restaurants and become a competitor in the future.