Over the last week, as more and more contestants have been eliminated from MasterChef Australia, fans have been begging for an age-old twist to be reintroduced this year: the Comeback Cook. And we got exactly what we asked for on Tuesday night, with previously eliminated cooks back in the kitchen fighting for a place back in the competition.
Given how easy it is to get attached to certain cooks throughout the season – particularly as they grow and develop on the show – it’s no wonder MasterChef decided to bring the format back this year during Classics Week so fan-favourites had a chance at redemption.
“I love the comeback concept and congrats to Bella,” one fan said after the show aired.
Fans were certain that only a few contestants would return, with many predicting that Lucy, Lydia and Miin would be among them after their faces were teased in the episode’s promotion; however, fans were surprised that all of the eliminated contestants were invited back, with only Olaolu, Kanika, and Jeff unable to return.
And, Bella impressed the judges the most, earning herself a white apron after being eliminated weeks ago.
While it’s great news for Bella, MasterChef alumni Snezana Calic (who was asked to compete in a comeback episode during her season) told WHO that the remaining cooks aren’t as thrilled about the twist as fans are, and it can often cause tension in the usually wholesome environment.
MasterChef star explains tension sparked by ‘comeback episodes’
While fans loved the Comeback Cook, and were begging for the format to return all season, Snezana explained to WHO how contestants still in the show may approach the twist from a different perspective.
“I think audiences love it because everyone enjoys a second chance story,” Snezana told WHO. “If a fan favourite goes home earlier than expected, people want to see them get another opportunity.
“I’m not sure the contestants still in the competition love it quite as much, because they might have worked their way down to ten contestants and suddenly there’s an extra person back in the mix. But from a viewer’s perspective, I think comeback episodes are always exciting and emotional.”
This “unfair” nature of the twist was commented on by a few fans after Bella’s win.
“I guess Bella deserved the second chance, but it feels weird bringing back someone who got eliminated way back in episode 11,” one fan wrote. “She missed 18 episodes, about 4 solid weeks of competing. While everyone else had to fight to survive.”
“The entire second chance thing feels a little unfair,” another agreed. “Next episode, one of these extremely deserving contestants will be going back home without any opportunity for a second chance, when, if anything, they’d be more deserving of one.”
Snezana added: “It’s incredibly important, but it’s also very stressful. It almost feels like you’re auditioning for the show all over again.”
Given this “stressful” atmosphere, Snezana said that relaxing, enjoying the experience, and backing yourself was the only way to get through it – advice every contestant seemed to put into practice last night.
“Don’t be scared. Trust yourself and go with your instincts,” Snezana said. “In my first season, I was often nervous and overthinking everything, and that can hold you back. If you’re lucky enough to get a second chance, try to relax, enjoy the experience and back yourself. Have a bit more fun with it and just go for it.”
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