Come Dine With Me Australia Season 2 Episode 18 Episode 18 - Karen

Come Dine With Me Australia is a cooking competition show that features four strangers who take turns hosting dinner parties for each other. Each episode follows one of the contestants as they prepare a three-course meal for the group, in the hopes of winning a cash prize.

Season 2, Episode 18 focuses on Karen, a 50-year-old business owner and mother of two from Melbourne. Karen is known for her love of entertaining and throwing parties, so she's confident that she can impress her fellow contestants with her cooking skills. She's also a bit of a perfectionist, which could work in her favor or against her, depending on how her guests react to her attention to detail.

As the episode begins, we see Karen preparing her home for the dinner party. She's gone all out with the decor, creating a festive atmosphere complete with balloons, streamers, and a giant disco ball. She's also planned a menu that reflects her love of exotic cuisines, including Thai-inspired appetizers, a Moroccan-inspired main course, and a tropical dessert.

When her guests arrive, they're immediately struck by the party atmosphere and Karen's friendly demeanor. She introduces everyone to each other, then serves up her first course – a spicy shrimp appetizer that's a hit with everyone. However, as the night wears on, tensions start to rise as a few of the contestants become increasingly critical of Karen's food and presentation.

One of the main issues seems to be the portion sizes – several guests complain that the portions are too small and that they're still hungry after finishing their main course. Karen, however, defends her decision to serve smaller portions, arguing that it's more elegant and sophisticated than piling everyone's plates high with food.

Despite these minor hiccups, Karen manages to keep the party going and even entertains her guests with a few surprise performances – including a karaoke rendition of ABBA's "Dancing Queen" that gets everyone on their feet.

In the end, it's up to the contestants to vote on who they think should win the cash prize. Although Karen's food and presentation were praised by some, others felt that she was too focused on aesthetics and didn't pay enough attention to the flavor of her dishes. It remains to be seen who will come out on top, but Karen is sure to have a few surprises up her sleeve before the night is over.

Overall, Episode 18 of Come Dine With Me Australia is a fun and entertaining entry in the series. It showcases the ups and downs of hosting a dinner party and highlights the importance of striking a balance between presentation and taste. Fans of the show will enjoy watching Karen navigate the challenges of cooking for strangers and trying to win their approval.