They may have only just bowed out of My Kitchen Rules, but cousins Mel and Jacinta are already making the most of their time in the spotlight.
The reality TV duo were spotted letting their hair down at Belvedere's Exclusive Black Ball at Pelicano in Potts Point on Saturday, where they mingled with a star-studded crowd of former Married At First Sight stars and F Boy Island's Mikey Gelo.
Also among the glamorous guest list was ex-special forces commander Heston Russell and model Charlie Austin, who dazzled partygoers dripping in $70,000 worth of diamonds.
Mel, 36, looked chic in a black off-shoulder mini dress as she sipped on a glass of rosé, while Jacinta, 34, turned heads in an elegant fitted top and patterned trousers, accessorising with a statement belt.
Both women looked a far cry from the drama-filled dinner tables viewers have come to associate them with.
The Sydney cousins have been dubbed the 'Feisty Cousins' during their stint on the cooking competition, often clashing with fellow contestants and dividing fans online.
They may have only just bowed out of My Kitchen Rules, but cousins Mel and Jacinta (both pictured) are already making the most of their time in the spotlight
The reality TV duo were spotted letting their hair down at Belvedere's Exclusive Black Ball at Pelicano in Potts Point on Saturday, just days after their shock elimination
But the pair insist that label doesn't capture who they really are.
'They painted us as being fiery, but honestly, we're just cheeky and love to have a laugh,' Mel told Daily Mail at the event. 'That side of us didn't really get shown.'
Jacinta agreed, adding: 'I thought people would get to see more of the fun we have together, but the edit was more about the conflict. It was definitely a surprise watching it back.'
Fans of MKR will know their playfulness isn't unusual – Mel and Jacinta have always brought a sense of fun to their cooking, blending cousin banter with culinary chops.
'My cooking style is surprisingly healthy and creative, blending bold flavours with wholesome ingredients, always leaving room for a bit of experimentation,' Mel said.
Jacinta, who boasts a background in nutritional medicine, added: 'I want to encourage everyone to give cooking a go and have fun with it.
'It doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. It can be simple, joyful and one of the most powerful ways to care for yourself and others.'
It seems these fiery cousins have found the recipe for success both in and out of the kitchen: a mix of laughter, love and living life to the fullest.
Jacinta turned heads in an elegant fitted top
Jacinta, 34, turned heads in an elegant fitted top and patterned trousers, accessorising with a statement belt
Also among the glamorous guest list was ex-special forces commander Heston Russell
Model Charlie Austin dazzled partygoers dripping in $70,000 worth of diamonds
Australian model and star high jumper Amy Pejkovic looked stunning in a cut-out dress
FBoy Island's Mikey Gelo (right) was also dressed to impress
Big Brother star Johnson Ashak was also in attendance
Last week on MKR, Mel and Jacinta hoped to avoid drama and keep a low profile on the Channel Seven cooking competition - but it did not go to plan.
Mel, visibly upset, left the table mid-dinner following a tense exchange with fellow contestants Maria and Bailey over past business claims and alleged strategic scoring.
Accusations flew, with Bailey calling out Mel and Jacinta's 'temper tantrums' and Maria slamming their 'victim mentality'
While their MKR journey may have ended, the cousins are not ruling out another reality TV comeback.
'We'd definitely be open to doing something else,' Mel revealed. 'We're actually having a lot of fun with all of this.'
