MasterChef viewers have once again expressed their concerns after noticing one glaring detail during the new Channel Ten season.
Fans of the cooking competition took to social media this week to complain about the show’s hygeine standards, especially when it comes to participants’ hair.
‘Ok we’re confirming the trend of food and workplace safety going downhill every year,’ wrote one viewer on X (formerly Twitter).
‘Why are we seeing hair in faces?! Why are we seeing HAIR TOUCHING? Why are we seeing bracelets, dangly earrings and RINGS? I know they’re home cooks but we’re not at home!’ the user continued.
Another viewer echoed this sentiment: ‘Whenever the dumplings arrive (if they actually do), I’m assuming the hero ingredient will be hair.’
MasterChef viewers have expressed their concerns with one glaring aspect of the show’s hygiene standards. Pictured: MasterChef contestant Harry Butterfield
Fans of the cooking competition took to social media this week to complain about how loose some of the contestants’ hair was while they prepared food. Pictured: contestant Snezana Calic
‘Hair. Nets,’ wrote another user on X, alongside hand clap emoji.
Concerns about the contestants’ hair were also ventilated on an online fan forum.
‘Please, please, please, somebody take hold of these contestants and put their hair out of the way of the food, I cringe watching it fall all over their faces. Pretty mop caps would be great,’ wrote one fan on the site.
‘That hair all over their faces is very annoying and not a good look around food,’ another forum poster agreed.
‘Ok we’re confirming the trend of food and workplace safety going downhill every year,’ wrote one viewer on X (formerly Twitter ), with many more posting in agreement
‘I have shoulder-length hair and if I forget to tie it back, I can guarantee there will be a hair in the food if I cook,’ another post read.
‘So there must be at least one hair in the food they make.’
Meanwhile, another fan suggested hair on top of the head shouldn’t be the only type that was covered.
‘And beard nets, please!’
‘Have never understood how their hair/beards are not covered,’ another poster agreed.
It’s not the first time fans have raised concerns regarding contestants for being ‘unhygienic’ in the kitchen.
Last season, one viewer started a thread on Reddit about the lack of ‘basic culinary hygiene’ on the series.
Concerns about the contestants’ hair were also ventilated on an online fan forum. ‘Somebody take hold of these contestants and put their hair out of the way of the food, I cringe watching it fall all over their faces’
They wrote: ‘Why does MasterChef make no effort to teach basic culinary hygiene? The contestants must look good I guess … I think it was Malissa kneading away and hand mixing her dough with a massive diamond ring on one hand.’
While some viewers didn’t agree that hairnets are necessary, some had a major issue with contestants using their fingers for tasting.
One person wrote: ‘I’m not calling for hairnets or anything but I do wish contestants would use any of the dozens of spoons provided for tasting, rather than dip their fingers in their sauce/creme anglaise/etc. then shove their fingers in their mouth.
‘Saw Malissa doing this recently and shuddered.’
Contestant Rue Mupedzi was also seen coughing as she was cooking.
Twenty-two contestants took to the screen on Monday to compete for the coveted title and the $250,000 cash prize.
Ten have also teased a mysterious ‘priceless prize’ for the lucky winner as they will be given as yet-unnamed opportunity of a lifetime.
MasterChef continues Sunday at 7:30pm on 10 and 10 Play.
MASTERCHEF 2024: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
Alex Crisp, 27 – Sales Representative, WA
Alex’s passion for cooking was ignited when her dad gifted her a Jamie Oliver cookbook for her ninth birthday.
Since then, Alex – who works in fine food sales – has amassed an impressive collection of more than 70 cookbooks and plans to show off her skills in the MasterChef kitchen.
David Tan, 30 – Pharmacologist, QLD
David grew up in Singapore and told how his family of five would often drive to Malaysia on the weekend for lunch.
The national clinical trials administrator learnt his love of cookery from his grandmother and father and is now putting his profession on hold to try his hand at MasterChef.
Harry Butterfield, 29 – Commercial Property, QLD
Brisbane-based Harry Butterfield has his sights set on being the 2024 season seafood guru and is passionate about sustainably harvesting seafood.
He first got involved in cookery at the age of 12 and has become inspired by his food hero Josh Niland over the years.
Jonathan Hooper, 29 – Carpenter, NSW
Jonathan began cooking at around 10 years old and was always encouraged by his parents to cook for himself if he didn’t like what was for dinner.
He has been inspired by the likes of Morgan Hipworth and Jamie Oliver and hopes to show off his talents with home-style comfort food to make his Nonna proud.
Josh Perry, 43 – Butcher, TAS
Affectionately known as ‘Pezza’, Josh a small-town butcher from Smithton, Tasmania.
Looking up to Rick Stein and Jamie Oliver, Josh hopes to do his family matriarchs proud on MasterChef.
Khristian Walker, 26 – Insurance Services, VIC
Khristian’s mother sparked his passion for cooking, and he started helping in the kitchen at 10 years old.
He hopes his big flavours and ability to stay calm in the kitchen will help him on his MasterChef journey.
Lily Davies, 30 – Former Nurse, NSW
Lily’s mother was a chef who trained at Le Cordon Bleu and became one of the youngest chefs to teach there at age 18.
Lily is now hoping to pursue her own dream of running a deli-style eatery through MasterChef.
Mimi Wong, 25 – High School Teacher, NSW
Mimi is passionate about Asian fusion cookery and feels she has exceed the boundaries of home cooking, and hopes to show off her talents on MasterChef.
Savindri Perera, 30 – Banking Consultant, SA
Savindri found her love of cooking at the age of 12 when she discovered Nigella.
She is now hoping her baking expertise and use of spices will give her an edge and help her pursue her dream of opening a brunch cafe in Adelaide.
Steph Griffin, 28 – Events Manager, QLD
From the Sunshine State, Steph is hoping to make huge strides in her career on MasterChef.
Inspired by Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson, Steph wants to host exclusive pop-up dining experiences in the future.
Sue Bazely, 58 – Customer Manager, VIC
Sue has been a MasterChef fan for many years and is raring to take on the challenge herself.
Having worked on her own handwritten cookbook for 42 years, Sue dreams of getting the epic collection of upwards of 170 recipes published.
Darrsh Clarke, 31 – Management Consultant, WA
Darrsh’s love of food and his culinary journey has been inspired by his late father, who was a chef in an Indian restaurant.
Darrsh has represented Western on the basketball and volleyball courts, which he hopes will give him an edge in the MasterChef kitchen as he plans to pursue his dreams of opening a fusion bar and restaurant.
Gillian Dinh, 31 – Lettering Artist, NSW
Gill’s cookery has been influenced by her mother Doreen and her beloved late Nonna Lina, as well as her late father Tommy, who taught her to trust her palate.
Inspired by great chefs including Luke Nguyen, Josh Niland and Dan Hong, Gill hopes to bring big flavours to MasterChef.
James Holmes, 38 – Primary School Teacher, WA
Having grown up in England, James love of cookery has long been inspired by his travels around the globe.
He is a father to kids Benji, aged seven, and Goldie, three, and is determined to show his kids how to embrace a new challenge.
Josh Clarke, 27 – Coffee Roaster, QLD
Josh, who grew up in New York, credits his Irish mother Caroline and Jamaican father Jason for inspiring his love of cookery.
After backpacking around the globe, Josh has sampled food from all over the globe, and also met his now-wife Laura in Byron Bay on his travels.
Taking inspiration from Roy Choi, Andy Hearnden and Matty Matheson, Josh hopes to impress with his Spanish-influenced food.
Juan De La Cruz Torales Villarreal, 39 – Board Game Designer, NSW
Born in Argentina, Juan hopes to impress the judges with his Latin American flavours.
Looking up to Argentinian chef Francis Mallmann, Juan will bring his signature energy to the show.
Lachlan Whittle, 34 – Landscape Gardener, VIC
A doting father, Lachlan hopes to leave his mark on the competition for his daughter Lily, two.
Lachlan sadly lost his mother Jan to cancer late last year and recently discovered that he has the genetic, degenerative brain condition Huntington’s Disease and is determined to live life to the fullest.
Lourdes Leschen, 22 – Marketing Coordinator, VIC
With her mother Laly and Yiayia Ana Maria hailing from Catalonia, Lourdes has heavy Spanish influences in her cooking.
She always explores new cookbooks and hopes her broad palate will be an asset on the show.
Nat Thaipun, 28 – Barista, Vic
Nat, an n-born Thai woman, grew up around food as her mother Nutsiree ran a Thai restaurant in Melbourne.
She has worked as a barista in Switzerland, Japan and New Zealand over the past seven years, and is now ready for a new challenge.
Snezana Calic, 40 – Financial Services, VIC
Snezana was born in Croatia and moved to Serbia as a child and is influenced by Mediterranean and Serbian flavours.
Hoping to change her career path with the show, Snezana dreams of running her own rural, home-style café.
Stephen Dennis, 62 – Tour Guide, QLD
Stephen has dreamt of joining MasterChef for 16 years and is the oldest contender of the 2024 series.
A self-taught cook, Stephen’s favourite cuisines are Japanese and French and he hopes to impress in the MasterChef kitchen.
Sumeet Saigal, 46 – NSW
Growing up in Bangalore, India, Sumeet has fond memories of watching her parents host dinner parties for their friends.
Her biggest influence was her paternal grandfather Darji, and she hopes to show how versatile Indian food can be on MasterChef.