Is this simple kitchen habit harmless or unhygienic? MasterChef viewers are divided
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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.’
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
If chefs wouldn’t serve food they blew on in a restaurant—why should it fly on national TV?
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
If chefs wouldn’t serve food they blew on in a restaurant—why should it fly on national TV?
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But then again, maybe it will. 
