NEED TO KNOW
- Aaron Kher has been eliminated from MasterChef Australia 2026, just missing out on the Top 2.
- Judge Jean-Christophe Novelli accidentally ruined the outcome of the elimination on Facebook.
- Petro Papathomas and Vinnie Gibaldi will now battle it out for the $250,000 grand prize.
It’s not every day that one of the MasterChef judges accidentally shares a spoiler, but unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened ahead of Aaron Kher’s elimination on August 3, 2026.
Before the episode aired, Jean-Christophe Novelli slipped up by sharing a spoiler on his Facebook page, revealing Aaron would be the one sent home that night.
“Did anyone else see the spoiler today from Jean Christophe?” one fan asked others online. “It was so bizarre I thought he’d been hacked but turned out to be true.”
“JC’s Facebook post at just before 4pm today was right – it had photos – seemed to be removed when I looked again,” another said. “Guess he got confused by time zones and delayed episodes. I assume he’ll be banned from FB comments next week.”
A third revealed what was in the post, sharing, “JC posted announcing the finalists and he was sad to see Aaron leave. Lots of photos from the semi-final in advance of it being broadcast.”
Aaron was knocked out during the season’s semi-final, leaving Petro Papathomas and Vinnie Gibaldi as the top two.
The top three battled it out in a nail-biting challenge that saw them having to prepare a two-course dining experience for the three judges and 20 diners.
Unfortunately for Aaron, while his dessert was incredible, the flavours of his main course clashed and didn’t quite hit the spot for the judges.
MasterChef’s Aaron responds to Jean-Christophe’s major spoiler
Speaking to WHO, Aaron revealed he was sent Jean-Christophe’s post by another MasterChef contestant.
“We have a MasterChef [group] chat and someone had sent it in there and gone, ‘I think he’s pushing this a bit early.’
“I think it was okay,” he added. “I think it didn’t really spoil the episode, because there’s still so much in there to watch and everything that’s playing out, all the ups and downs.
“The episode itself was still unreal.”
MasterChef fans heartbroken over Aaron’s elimination
MasterChef fans took to Aaron’s Instagram account to commiserate with him.
“Just think – some of the most successful MasterChef contestants – never actually won,” one fan pointed out, referencing Poh Ling Yeow, Marion Grasby and Reynold Poernomo. “The world is now ready for you and your next adventure.”
“Feel proud! It’s been wonderful watching your journey, can’t wait to see the next part,” wrote another.
“Stand tall and proud Aaron you did an amazing cook and it was sooooo close!” a third added. “You are an incredibly talented cook and the food industry is calling.”
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