Would these unhygienic acts fly in your kitchen? MasterChef fans are calling them out
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MasterChef Australia viewers weren’t just dishing out compliments this week—they were dishing out complaints.
Fans of the hit series have taken aim at what they described as ‘repulsive’ kitchen hygiene, after spotting jewellery, loose hair and even contestants blowing on food.
Despite the show’s polished appearance, some eagle-eyed viewers said they were shocked by what they saw behind the scenes.
During recent episodes of MasterChef Australia, fans noticed contestants wearing jewellery while preparing food, a move many deemed unhygienic.
Social media discussions lit up with criticism, with one user writing: ‘I have noticed that a lot of contestants wear jewellery when cooking. I thought that was a big no no in the hospitality industry?’
Another pointed the finger at returning contestant Jamie Fleming for wearing caps in the kitchen.
Photos from recent episodes showed fan favourites including Laura Sharrad and Sarah Todd wearing rings and necklaces while handling meat and other ingredients.
‘Wearing rings while handling meat/poultry/seafood and/or working dough etc, is genuinely repulsive,’ one viewer wrote, adding: ‘I don’t care how many times they wash their hands in between each step. Why on earth can’t they take off their jewellery for their cooks??!!’
Hair hygiene was another sore point, with fans calling out contestants like Snezana Calic for wearing her long hair loose.
‘Surely there shouldn’t be fringes and loose strands of hair free across the face—should have to tuck it under a cap or something?’ one fan said.
Another added: ‘I don’t think we need or will ever see hair nets but at least tidy, pulled back hair, and no hanging jewellery or bracelets/rings.’
But what really fired up viewers was footage of contestants—and even the executive chef—blowing on food.
As contestants prepared dishes for a service immunity challenge at Melbourne’s Vue De Monde, Laura Sharrad was seen flaming Wagyu steaks before blowing on them to cool them down.
‘What’s with Laura blowing all over the steak?’ one viewer asked, while another added, ‘Laura stop blowing on food.’
Executive Chef Hugh Allen was later spotted doing the same, drawing even more criticism from fans.
‘Totally fine if you’re only cooking for yourself, but not if you’re going to serve the food to others,’ said one viewer.
‘All that saliva Laura is blowing over those Wagyu cubes,’ another remarked.
‘I'm not eating anything that the chef has continually blown over. That's a no-no, and I'm surprised nothing was said to Laura. But then Hugh blew over it too. Yuck,’ one fan added.
A spokesperson for Endemol Shine Australia, the show’s production company, responded to the backlash by assuring fans that strict hygiene standards were in place.
‘Hygiene, health and safety are paramount in the MasterChef Australia kitchen. Contestants are briefed on protocols before they begin each cook and our Food Team provide reminders throughout,’ they said.
2024 contestant Sumeet Saigal supported this claim, saying last June: ‘You’re always briefed about hygiene and you’re always reminded.’
Despite the official reassurances, fans appear unconvinced—especially when the footage suggests otherwise.
If jewellery and blowing on food weren’t enough to raise eyebrows, this wasn’t the only time MasterChef Australia has faced backlash over questionable kitchen practices.
A different episode saw fans lose their appetite after spotting another hygiene slip that many called ‘disgusting’.
It’s a stark reminder that even televised kitchens aren't immune to basic food safety concerns.
Read more: Is Your Favorite MasterChef Contestant Putting Your Health at Risk? Fans Outraged Over ‘Disgusting’ Act
Would you still eat the dish if the chef blew on it first?
Fans of the hit series have taken aim at what they described as ‘repulsive’ kitchen hygiene, after spotting jewellery, loose hair and even contestants blowing on food.
Despite the show’s polished appearance, some eagle-eyed viewers said they were shocked by what they saw behind the scenes.
During recent episodes of MasterChef Australia, fans noticed contestants wearing jewellery while preparing food, a move many deemed unhygienic.
Social media discussions lit up with criticism, with one user writing: ‘I have noticed that a lot of contestants wear jewellery when cooking. I thought that was a big no no in the hospitality industry?’
Another pointed the finger at returning contestant Jamie Fleming for wearing caps in the kitchen.
Fans question MasterChef kitchen hygiene standards. Image source: MasterChef Australia
Photos from recent episodes showed fan favourites including Laura Sharrad and Sarah Todd wearing rings and necklaces while handling meat and other ingredients.
‘Wearing rings while handling meat/poultry/seafood and/or working dough etc, is genuinely repulsive,’ one viewer wrote, adding: ‘I don’t care how many times they wash their hands in between each step. Why on earth can’t they take off their jewellery for their cooks??!!’
Hair hygiene was another sore point, with fans calling out contestants like Snezana Calic for wearing her long hair loose.
‘Surely there shouldn’t be fringes and loose strands of hair free across the face—should have to tuck it under a cap or something?’ one fan said.
Another added: ‘I don’t think we need or will ever see hair nets but at least tidy, pulled back hair, and no hanging jewellery or bracelets/rings.’
But what really fired up viewers was footage of contestants—and even the executive chef—blowing on food.
As contestants prepared dishes for a service immunity challenge at Melbourne’s Vue De Monde, Laura Sharrad was seen flaming Wagyu steaks before blowing on them to cool them down.
‘What’s with Laura blowing all over the steak?’ one viewer asked, while another added, ‘Laura stop blowing on food.’
Executive Chef Hugh Allen was later spotted doing the same, drawing even more criticism from fans.
‘Totally fine if you’re only cooking for yourself, but not if you’re going to serve the food to others,’ said one viewer.
‘All that saliva Laura is blowing over those Wagyu cubes,’ another remarked.
‘I'm not eating anything that the chef has continually blown over. That's a no-no, and I'm surprised nothing was said to Laura. But then Hugh blew over it too. Yuck,’ one fan added.
A spokesperson for Endemol Shine Australia, the show’s production company, responded to the backlash by assuring fans that strict hygiene standards were in place.
‘Hygiene, health and safety are paramount in the MasterChef Australia kitchen. Contestants are briefed on protocols before they begin each cook and our Food Team provide reminders throughout,’ they said.
2024 contestant Sumeet Saigal supported this claim, saying last June: ‘You’re always briefed about hygiene and you’re always reminded.’
Despite the official reassurances, fans appear unconvinced—especially when the footage suggests otherwise.
If jewellery and blowing on food weren’t enough to raise eyebrows, this wasn’t the only time MasterChef Australia has faced backlash over questionable kitchen practices.
A different episode saw fans lose their appetite after spotting another hygiene slip that many called ‘disgusting’.
It’s a stark reminder that even televised kitchens aren't immune to basic food safety concerns.
Read more: Is Your Favorite MasterChef Contestant Putting Your Health at Risk? Fans Outraged Over ‘Disgusting’ Act
Would you still eat the dish if the chef blew on it first?
