Mel and Jacinta, cousins and contestants on Channel Seven’s My Kitchen Rules, were photographed enjoying a sunny afternoon at North Bondi on Friday, drawing attention for their beach attire after a week of televised tension on the cooking show.
The pair arrived in leisurewear before stripping down to swimsuits and wading into the shallow surf. Jacinta, 37, wore a chocolate-hued string bikini with a white shirt draped over her shoulders and brown pants earlier in the walk to the sand; Mel, 38, wore a black two-piece with tie-side bottoms and was later seen in a sporty tank and denim cutoffs. The cousins were described as relaxed and smiling as they caught rays, splashed in the water and paused to take in coastal views.
The outing comes after a charged MKR dinner service that aired last week when Mel left the table mid-meal following a heated exchange with fellow contestants Maria and Bailey. During that episode, accusations surfaced about past business dealings and alleged strategic scoring, with Bailey referring to the cousins’ behaviour as "temper tantrums" and Maria accusing them of a "victim mentality." Producers have not issued additional comment beyond what aired on the program.
On screen, Mel has described her cooking style as "surprisingly healthy and creative, blending bold flavours with wholesome ingredients," while Jacinta, who has a background in nutritional medicine, has said she hopes to "encourage everyone to give cooking a go and have fun with it." The cousins’ playful dynamic has been a recurring element of their appearances on the series, combining banter with competitive cooking.
My Kitchen Rules airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. on Channel Seven. The Bondi photographs add a personal, off-camera moment to the contestants' public profiles as the series continues to unfold.