Viewers praise Nigella Lawson as My Kitchen Rules returns with new look

My Kitchen Rules finally returned to screens after a two-year hiatus last night, with new judge Nigella Lawson winning over viewers.

Nigella Lawson has completely charmed viewers with her My Kitchen Rules debut, as fans declared she will “save the series”.

The British home cooking queen, who was earlier announced as Pete Evans’ replacement for the 2022 season, appeared alongside French chef Manu Feildel on Sunday night for the struggling cooking show’s much-anticipated return to screens.

And her star-power could prove to be the winning ingredient to bolster MKR’s ratings, with viewers rushing to social media to give the 62-year-old their tick of approval.

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Nigella is the vital ingredient this show has been missing! Not only is she a bona fide food-lover & relatable to all us home cooks but it’s her personable nature, positive energy, insightfulness & unique way with words that makes her so endearing @Nigella_Lawson we love you #MKR

— Archie Bañez (@Aussie_Arch) August 7, 2022

Thoroughly enjoying @Nigella_Lawson ‘s warmth and charisma amongst the contestants! #MKR

— Ms Mansk (@msmansk) August 7, 2022

Nigella is certainly a massive upgrade on the previous judge! #MKR

— 𝔻𝕒𝕫 🐯🐅 (@dcpchiu) August 7, 2022

I’m giving #MKR another chance-I hope the love really is back. Also, Nigella

— Michelle 🐿💨💉x3 (@MichelleMackey1) August 7, 2022

Nigella will single-handedly save this show #MKR

— TVgeek (@_TVgeek) August 7, 2022

No seriously, the vibes for the season are SO GOOD. I’m so glad #MKR is back to its home cooking roots. And @Nigella_Lawson is so wonderful, knowledgeable, and kind. What a perfect choice ❤️ I can’t wait to see more 😊

(Someone pls bring me some lemon delicious now. Thank you.)

— Aya #MonsoonSeason ✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 (@AyaReina) August 7, 2022

Loving the Manu and Nigella combo. #MKR

— FPL Manager “MAD Souvles” (@FPL_MADSouvles) August 7, 2022

Nigella is worth every cent they paid for her. #MKR

— Deng Nguyen (@deng_nguyen) August 7, 2022

At one stage during the premiere episode, which saw Victorian father-and-daughter duo Peter and Alice cooking first, Lawson ditched her cutlery to chomp into a lamb cutlet, much to the delight of people watching from home.

Rawrrr! @ManuFeildel@Nigella_Lawson#MKRpic.twitter.com/YB5DjZe6ql

— MKR (@mykitchenrules) August 7, 2022

My god I just love @Nigella_Lawson
You chomp that bone girl#MKR

— I'm42 (@TheCraigles60) August 7, 2022

Prior to the show airing, Lawson took to Twitter to say she was “excited and nervous in equal measure”, as she urged her followers to tune in with a “glass of wine or mug of tea”.

At the start of @mykitchenrules I was excited and nervous in equal measure. Less than half an hour till it airs and I’m very excited and very nervous in equal measure!! Friends in Oz, get your glass of wine or mug of tea ready (and any snacks needed, of course) for 7pm! pic.twitter.com/QxiFloLEWl

— Nigella Lawson (@Nigella_Lawson) August 7, 2022

The 12th season of the Channel 7 cooking show follows a two-year hiatus for MKR, which suffered declining ratings in 2019 and 2020.

Presumably in a bid to compete with its rival prime-time show, Channel 9’s Married At First Sight, the series was copping criticism for overdoing it on the dramatics and straying from its humble roots.

In an effort to reinvigorate the franchise, the network parted ways with original judge Evans following a slew of controversies, and promised the series would be bouncing back to its core values of “real food and real people” in 2022.

Meanwhile Evans, 49, responded to the news of Lawson’s appointment back in April, wishing his “dear mate Manu” the best for the future of the series.

Manu was previously joined by controversial chef Pete Evans, who parted ways with Seven in 2020.

“I wish Channel 7, the crew and my dear mate Manu ️all the very best on their upcoming series,” he wrote on social media at the time.

“I will always cherish the many years we spent together, creating so many wonderful memories.”

It’s understood Lawson will only feature in half of the season, with former MasterChef judge Matt Preston joining Feildel for the back half.

Celebrity chefs Colin Fassnidge and Curtis Stone are also set to return as guest judges.

Originally published as Viewers praise Nigella Lawson as My Kitchen Rules returns with new look