MasterChef Australia viewers outraged over ‘disgusting’ on-air kitchen faux pas.

It only took a single puff of breath to stir up a storm among fans.

One contestant’s casual act in the heat of competition was enough to leave viewers stunned—and gagging. Then, just as the outrage reached a boil, a top chef did the exact same thing.

During the 22 July episode of MasterChef Australia, contestant Laura Sharrad shocked fans when she was seen blowing on a handful of sizzling wagyu steaks at Melbourne fine-dining restaurant Vue De Monde.

The 29-year-old from Adelaide was participating in the service immunity challenge when she committed what many considered a major kitchen taboo.

‘What’s with Laura blowing all over the steak?’ one viewer complained, while another added, ‘Laura stop blowing on food.’

Laura Sharrad blows on steak, fans outraged. Image source:MasterChef Australia

Although some accepted it might be fine in a private kitchen, viewers were quick to point out that food intended for others should never be cooled in this way.

‘Totally fine if you’re only cooking for yourself, but not if you’re going to serve the food to others,’ one person said.

‘I really don’t want someone else’s saliva in the food I’m going to eat. That’s disgusting and unhygienic.’

The backlash escalated when Executive Chef Hugh Allen, overseeing the challenge, was also seen blowing on food—mirroring Laura’s move.

‘No one told Laura not to, then along comes Hugh and does the same,’ one fan commented.

‘All that saliva Laura is blowing over those Wagyu cubes,’ another viewer added.

Many fans were united in their belief that blowing on food breached hygiene expectations on a show built around professional standards.

‘I’m not eating anything that the chef has continually blown over,’ one person wrote.

‘That’s a no-no, and I’m surprised nothing was said to Laura. But then Hugh blew over it too. Yuck.’

This wasn’t the first time MasterChef Australia has come under fire for questionable kitchen conduct.

Back in May, viewers were left fuming when contestant Theo Loizou tasted his dish using a spoon—then reused the same utensil to stir the saucepan.

‘Anyone else notice Theo tasting his purée and then putting the same spoon back into the pot?’ one Reddit user posted.

‘I mean… don’t tell me I’m the only one! I always catch myself watching out for this and it drives me nuts when contestants do it. Total pet peeve of mine. Yeesh.’

Others suggested hygiene issues were common across the show’s contestants, with complaints about loose hair and general cleanliness.

‘They all do it!! And what’s with the lack of hygiene when it comes to hair being open or in your face? That’s the biggest ick!’ one person noted.

According to 2024 contestant Sumeet Saigal, the rules about hygiene are clear and constantly enforced behind the scenes.

‘You’re always briefed about hygiene and you’re always reminded,’ she told Yahoo Lifestyle in June 2024.

She added that contestants are instructed not to double-dip, reuse spoons, or serve anything that falls to the floor.

Kitchen hygiene isn’t just a hot topic on reality TV—it’s also sparking outrage in real-life food service.

While MasterChef viewers debated whether blowing on food crossed the line, one fast-food chain faced backlash after footage emerged of far worse conditions.

If you thought what happened in the competition kitchen was bad, wait until you see what this video exposed.

Read more: Famous fast-food chain faces filthy store video backlash as response unfolds

Key Takeaways

• Laura Sharrad blew on wagyu steaks during a challenge, sparking online backlash.
• Executive Chef Hugh Allen later did the same, intensifying viewer outrage.
• Fans called the act ‘disgusting and unhygienic’ and questioned the show’s hygiene standards.
• Past episodes also drew criticism for contestants reusing tasting spoons and having loose hair.

If chefs wouldn’t serve food they blew on in a restaurant—why should it fly on national TV?

 

[CristinaV]

If it's true that Laura wins, then her win is/was fixed. Blowing on the food is a no no and she should have been reprimanded. If I were one of the judges I would refuse to try it.

 

[7777]

I have see cooking contestants, cooking under pressure, and then starting to sweat on their foreheads. Rather than getting a cloth or serviette to wipe their face and wash their hands, they just wipe their sweaty foreheads with their hands, and then continuing to cook. This is so off in terms of heigine. If I saw someone cook like that, I would definitely give the meal a miss. The way that Laura Sharrad blew onto the food, was very unprofessional, and I don't think that many would attend her restaurant, if she becomes the winner on the show, and chooses to open a restaurant. Clearly she will allow her staff in the kitchen, to also blow into foods.

 

[Aussie all the Way]

Gave up watching this years ago when it was painfully obvious who was going to win all the time. Really a person like Julie Goodwin who cooked a roast ! beat Pho who did amazing things, come on. Then they call them chefs, NO they are not they have not been to school done all the training, they are just cooks, yes better than a lot but still just cooks.

 

[Vidbri1953]

Maybe these contestants and chefs should be taught the basics of kitchen and food handling before they go on the show. If this chef has been fully trained he should know better than to blow on food.

 

[Mummanew]

My daughter and son-in-law are chefs, they learnt basic food hygiene from the get go. Anyone employed by them not following strict hygiene practice would not be working in their kitchens for long.

 

[Isis]

Chef Hugh Allen apparently did and the food was served. I have a good chef in my family and unless for private serving would never do this.
I have been known to wave a plate over food as a fan rather than blow on it.
Hopefully this backlash will teach some lessons

 

[7777]

Maybe these contestants and chefs should be taught the basics of kitchen and food handling before they go on the show. If this chef has been fully trained he should know better than to blow on food.

Dear member Vidbri1953, thankyou for your post. I agree with you so much. Blowing in food especially on nationwide TV, what is that teaching our young people starting out in the hospitality, food and preparation business. I believe that the Master Chef show should also put emphasis on the hygiene aspect of food preparation and cooking. One has to wander where did these Master Chef judges complete their hospitality and cooking courses, to turn a blind eye to contestants blowing into food. One of the first priorities that should be learnt in preparation to becoming a chef, is everything about hygiene where one is preparing and cooking food. Without knowledge about hygiene when preparing food, people can become ill from the germs passed onto food by the person making the food.