A new My Kitchen Rules rivalry is brewing, and this time, it’s not about a dodgy dish or a judge’s score. It’s about what’s on Zoe’s plate.
The Gatecrasher, who is competing alongside her best friend Zac, is a pescatarian. While that’s a normal dietary choice, it’s become a talking point on the show as contestants work out how to cook for someone who can’t eat everything they serve.
On Monday night, Krysten and Lucy adapted their meal for Zoe. Their decision divided viewers. Some praised the pair for being considerate, while others questioned whether Zoe was receiving special treatment.
And the debate continued when fellow Gatecrashers Harrison and Oliver made a separate main for Zoe by leaving her squid out of their ‘Nduja sauce. The pair explained they simply didn’t want anyone going hungry at the table.
But Angus wasn’t impressed. He told the camera that the situation was “getting a bit ridiculous” and joked that he’d rather Zoe go hungry.
Speaking to WHO, Angus and Simon explained why they struggled to sympathise with Zoe.
Angus and Simon aren’t holding back
For Angus and Simon, the issue isn’t simply that Zoe doesn’t eat meat. They believe her dietary requirements, combined with what they see as a relaxed attitude towards the competition, have created an unfair situation for the other teams.
“We’re all participating and she’s not,” they told WHO. “And then kind of being a little bit lackadaisical for me, really, about her approach to the competition, about it being a big holiday kind of.”
They went on to question Zoe’s commitment to winning, adding: “And I also found her conviction to try to win the competition not really good enough for a competition.”
The pair acknowledged that everyone approaches the show differently, but said they struggled to understand why someone would enter a cooking competition without being able to eat everything prepared for them.
“I know that it’s different strokes for different folks, but seriously, like you rock up for a holiday and then don’t eat the food. That doesn’t really ring true to a competition.”
It’s a blunt take as teams try to cater for Zoe and impress the judges.
MKR fans clash over Zoe’s dietary requirements
The debate has also spilled over onto social media, where viewers have been split over whether the other teams are right to make adjustments for Zoe. Krysten and Lucy received praise from some fans for taking care to ensure Zoe could eat their food.
“I find it lovely the care Krysten and Lucy showed to Zoe,” one viewer wrote, pointing to the fish-shaped potatoes and the way the duck was served separately so it wouldn’t touch the other elements.
Another agreed, writing: “Definitely considerate since they knew beforehand. Beautiful ladies.”
Others argued that accommodating dietary requirements was simply part of cooking for guests, rather than special treatment. But not everyone was on board.
“R U kidding? Zoe shouldn’t be on the show. It’s a case of ‘Look at me’. Ridiculous,” one viewer commented.
Another sided with Angus and Simon, asking: “If you can’t (won’t) taste the food, why on earth are you on a cooking show?”
The reaction shows just how divisive the issue has become.
The pescatarian debate isn’t going anywhere
This isn’t the first time Zoe’s diet has become a talking point on My Kitchen Rules. Some contestants have questioned how she can judge dishes she can’t eat.
Zoe and Zac have previously told WHO they were surprised by how much attention the subject received, with Zoe saying some of the online comments had been particularly extreme.
It remains to be seen whether the teams keep accommodating Zoe. But the debate over consideration versus special treatment is far from over.
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