Knockout Week has just begun on MasterChef Australia, which will see the weakest cooks from each challenge sent into the end-of-week elimination. Bit stressful, hey!
Monday’s episode kicked off with a Knock-Knock Fridge Challenge: each judge stocked a fridge with their favourite ingredients, and the eight remaining contestants had to pick a fridge before seeing what was inside.
However, this wasn’t a regular everyday fridge stacked with butter, milk and an untouched bag of spinach stuffed in the corner of the crisper. Andy’s fridge had lobster, quail and crab; Poh’s had pork belly and Southeast Asian delicacies; Sofia’s had lamb backstrap, Turkish sausage and oysters; and Jean-Christophe’s had fancy French ingredients, including pig’s feet.
But is it time that contestants actually made dishes with more relatable ingredients? In a popular MasterChef Reddit thread, a fan suggested the contestants should be asked to do a challenge that reflects the everyday cost of living for Australians.
“Given the times we’re living in, it would be great to see them set a challenge for a three-course meal on a budget. Let’s say $30/40,” wrote the Reddit user.
They continued, “Contestants have to actually go to Coles to shop and show receipts. Lots of us would love some cheap creative ideas, even for just one course. Maybe winter staples like stews and casseroles. Show us top-level MC cooking on a budget.”
MasterChef Australia fans rally around a ‘budget-themed’ challenge
The idea was a huge hit with fans of MasterChef. “I would love this! They could even stretch it out over a week. Call it budget week or something. I’m sure many of the contestants are used to going on a weekly shop, and I’d love to see that side of them,” said one.
“Budget week would be an appropriate and relevant theme,” added another viewer. “It would also be helpful to those wishing to start restaurants and cafes to figure out how to turn affordable ingredients into spectacular food.”
Overall, MasterChef viewers want to see more relatable food spending on their screens. “I care way less about ‘what can you make in 36 minutes?’ than I do with ‘what can you make on the average Aussie weekly salary?’,” shared another.
Channel 10 responds to criticism against ‘boring’ challenges on MasterChef Australia
As the 2026 season of MasterChef heads towards the finish line, some vocal online viewers have been levelling criticism at the show’s repetitive format, ‘boring’ challenges and lack of off-site episodes.
“I’ve loved MasterChef Australia for many years, but it just feels really boring this year,” one fan admitted online. “I understand budget cuts, but I wish some of the older challenges would at least come back. The Pressure Tests and Invention Tests were my favourite, or the ones where they’re limited to a set of ingredients, no pantry, no garden.”
In response to some claiming “budget cuts” had ruined the show, a Channel 10 spokesperson explained the long-running show’s changes.
“MasterChef Australia has served up success again this year, with Season 18 reaching its biggest total national audience since 2022,” the spokesperson told WHO.
“In addition to welcoming worldclass guest judges like Robert Irwin, Jimmy and Jane Barnes, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, this season of MasterChef brings back some fan favourite formats, including a return to Top 40 on-camera auditions, Invention Tests, and Beat The Chef.”
The spokesperson did note that “there are fewer team challenges this season, with four episodes per week.”
“The format is mostly as follows, but does vary across the season: Sunday nights are Mystery Box; Monday nights, elimination; Tuesday nights, Invention Test or Team Challenge; Wednesday nights, Pressure Test or Immunity,” they said.
“As a result, there is less room for off-site challenges.”
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