There are now only six contestants left on this season of MasterChef, and fans are invested after watching weeks of challenges and eliminations.
What started with complaints about the judges’ outfits and general hygiene in the kitchen has now firmly landed on the contestants themselves, and one in particular is copping the heat from fans during Heat Week.
Luke — the youngest contestant on the show aged 20 — was a fan favourite at the start, but now, there is online sentiment that he’s survived one too many times, with claims he’s been “too risky” in the kitchen.
WHO spoke to Luke about it, and his response was interesting.
MasterChef fans accuse competition of being rigged
During the latest episode on July 15, Luke and Pat went head-to-head in a dual challenge, tasked with making a dish in 45 minutes.
Ultimately, Pat was sent home, and fans were quick to point the finger at Luke’s “luck”.
“Personally, I think that was a bit rigged to keep Luke in the competition,” one fan said, while another was surprised by his ability to “hang on” despite continuously making mistakes.
Throughout the season, he’s made many mistakes, like forgetting to include flour in his chocolate iris cake during Masters Week and using the wrong part of the pickled palm heart when making a mud crab salad.
He has constantly received feedback from the judges that he’s too ambitious, but then struggles to execute the dish.
“Luke has big ideas and big talks, but no idea how to make it work,” another fan said. “He’s very lucky.”
‘I only have myself to blame’
Despite believing he is often “underestimated” as the youngest contestant, Luke admitted to WHO that he understands the feedback about being “too risky” with his ideas, because he agrees with it.
“I think I have myself to blame as I often try to do too much in a small amount of time, and then fall short because of it!” he admitted.
As for being the youngest, Luke claims it’s both a blessing and a curse, with some people really rallying behind him because of it, and others using it to claim the judges are going easy on him.
“It’s strange being the youngest contestant, as I think people care a bit more. Some people have really gotten behind me and encouraged me, which I really appreciate and has helped push me through. Then at other times I’ve sensed there might be a ‘he doesn’t deserve to be there vibe’, which is honestly just motivation to prove them wrong!”
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