MasterChef Australia’s new judges Jock Zonfrillo, Melissa Leong and Andy Allens have hosted just two episodes of the new season.
But during Tuesday’s second episode, many viewers turned on the judges, branding them ‘boring’ and ‘vanilla’.
On Twitter, critical viewers shared their opinions about the new lineup, with some saying they were being outshined by the celebrity guest judge Gordon Ramsay.
‘Thank goodness for Gordon Ramsay!’ MasterChef viewers brand the new judges Jock Zonfrillo, Melissa Leong and Andy Allen as ‘boring’ and ‘vanilla’…. while others sing their praises. Pictured: Guest judge Gordon Ramsay and permanent panel Andy, Melissa and Jock
Harsh: On Twitter, critical viewers shared their opinions about the new lineup, with some saying they were being outshined by the celebrity guest judge Gordon Ramsay
‘The Masterchef AU judges were so dull and boring, thank goodness for Gordon Ramsey being there,’ one wrote.
‘So having Gordon here this week is basically the new judges with training wheels? He’s doing all the hosting!’ another person agreed.
Meanwhile one person said: ‘These judges feel a little bit reluctant to offer a different opinion from the others.’
‘The new judges saying “forget we’re in the room” was really not necessary,’ one person bluntly wrote.
‘These three new judges seem like the kind of boring vanilla wafers who wouldn’t underpay their workers and I don’t like it,’ another person wrote, referencing George Calombaris’ wage underpayment scandal.
Star power: Gordon was brought in to lead the contestants in the kitchen, providing much of the entertainment throughout the episode
Ouch! Many viewers turned on the new judges, branding them ‘boring’ and ‘vanilla’
But some Masterchef Australia viewers enjoyed the new judges and rushed to their defense on Twitter.
‘The criticism of the new judges? WTF?! Complaints that they’re not “mentoring” the contestants enough. They are returning contestants. Established cooks. They know their way around a kitchen. New judging lineup has performed GREAT,’ one person wrote.
Another person wrote: ‘I look at the cast of Masterchef, from the contestants to the judges and now see a show that accurately reflects our multicultural society. What a wonderful thing to see.’
‘Really enjoying the new judges. They’re very watchable, and THANK THE GODS we finally have some that can use cutlery,’ another person cheekily said, referencing the questionable eating habits of previous judges.
Credentials: Jock is a estaurant owner and chef, Melissa is a food writer and Andy won Masterchef in season four
Supporters: Some Masterchef Australia viewers enjoyed the new judges and rushed to their defence on Twitter
During Tuesday’s episode of MasterChef Australia: Back To Win, the contestants were tasked with cooking food for a restaurant.
At one point, Gordon shouted at the Blue Team’s Chris Badenoch for cutting pork belly too early before plating.
Surprisingly, the show’s new judges Jock, Andy and Melissa disagreed with the celebrity chef when the finished dish was plated, saying it was ‘really yummy’.
‘I think that pork is really, really yummy’: Surprisingly, the show’s new judges Jock Zonfrillo, Andy Allen, Melissa Leong disagreed when the finished dish was plated
But the Blue Team’s potato puree and inconsistent serving sizes let them down, so the judges gave the Green Team the win.
Jock, Andy and Melissa replaced George Calombaris, Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan, who hosted the show for the first 11 seasons.
At the time of the old judges’ departure, George was found to have underpaid his restaurant staff by $7.83 million in wages.
Matt and Gary are reportedly in talks with Channel Seven to start a new cooking show while George posts cooking videos to Instagram.
The old guard: Jock, Andy and Melissa replaced George Calombaris (right), Matt Preston (centre) and Gary Mehigan (left), who hosted the show for the first 11 seasons