It’s Viral Wonders Week on MasterChef, and Sunday night’s episode with celebrity judge and dessert icon Catherine Zhang started the week strong. However, this new wave of guest judges — despite their obvious talent and impact in the ever-changing industry — has left some fans pretty unimpressed.
While the usual complaints about kitchen hygiene were brought up again as contestants were shown “spitting out cherry pips in the kitchen along with some of the judges”, fans were also questioning the direction that the show is going — notably, that’s it’s all about going viral on social media.
“[I’m] disappointed in MasterChef this year… I love MasterChef, but too many media wannabe chef trends,” one fan wrote online, pointing out that the show has notably started to include many food content creators on the show rather than industry chefs.
Another fan said “half the time” they have no idea who the content creators are.
“[It] looks like a desperate attempt by the makers to ‘keep up with the times’,” they continued, while another said the ‘viral’ theme was “simply terrible”.
The sentiment has been echoed online since the season started, with judge Andy Allen and 2024 alumni Juan De La Cruz stepping in to defend the show’s decision.
MasterChef fans are divided over inclusion of ‘wannabes’
While the world of cooking has certainly changed from when MasterChef first aired in Australia in 2009, fans are still divided over the direction it’s heading, with many disappointed with the selection of celebrity judges this year.
However, not everyone had a problem with the new format, many defending the show for keeping its finger on the pulse.
“This is the modern world and how it’s done now, including in the food world,” one fan responded to the backlash. “These influencers are extremely successful, have revolutionised the food world and are extremely creative as well.”
“Couldn’t disagree more,” another chimed in. “There are some really talented people out there and it’s great to see what they can create. Nothing wannabe about them,” another fan wrote.
Why is MasterChef Australia spotlighting ‘viral’ chefs this year?
Andy Allen previously explained to WHO why the show is taking this direction.
“Last year, we had Sooshi Mango come on, and it was a massive gamble for us because at that time, they didn’t have their sandwich shop and they weren’t kind of known for loving food,” Andy told The WHO Group Chat vodcast, referencing the inclusion of the highly popular Australian comedy trio known for their viral online sketches.
“And, it was our highest rating show of the whole season.”
“It’s not just your three Michelin star chefs that come in to create a six hour pressure test.
“Yes, there’s still those amazing Australian chefs that come in and really test out our contestants, but we’ve kind of lent in to this undeniable thing that is social media, which is where a lot of people view their content, especially food content from these days.”
MasterChef alumni calls it a ‘smart’ decision
Juan De La Cruz, who was a contestant on the show in 2024, also spoke to WHO about this shift towards spotlighting more social media chefs this year, calling it a smart move.
“I actually think it makes a lot of sense,” he told WHO. “Social media has completely changed food culture and the way people learn to cook, so I think MasterChef reflecting that shift is a smart move.
“Some incredible cooks and food personalities have come from platforms like Instagram and TikTok. And, those followers will jump to watch them on TV, bringing a new generation to watch the show.”
While Juan admits that “cooking for social media and cooking in the MasterChef kitchen are very different things”, as nothing can quite compare to the highly pressurised environment of the MasterChef kitchen, for him, “it doesn’t really matter where someone started.”
“If they can cook, they can cook,” he told WHO.
As Viral Wonders Week continues this week, fans are going to be seeing a lot more social media personalities and get a taste (no pun intended) for the new direction of the food industry.
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