‘Too harsh’: MasterChef winner hits back

MasterChef 2024 crowned its winner earlier this week, and now she’s responded to the controversy surrounding one of the judges.

MasterChef winner Nat Thaipun has hit back at viewers who claimed Andy Allen was “unnecessarily cruel” to her during filming.

Thaipun was crowned the winner during a tense finale this week that saw her walk away with $250,000.

A loud minority of viewers had hit out at judge Allen on social media, suggesting that he had been “too harsh” on the talented chef, especially after she served up overcooked lamb shanks.

MasterChef Australian winner 2024 Nat Thaipun has insisted she’s not bothered by the judges being “harsh” on her. Picture: Supplied.

The dish in particular sparked Allen to suggest that while he had always thought she had so much potential, he may have been wrong about her.

Speaking with Yahoo Lifestyle, Thaipun shared that she never took any of the judges’ criticism to heart and she’s grateful that they pushed her to be her best.

“It’s actually really funny because so many people were messaging me telling me that the judges were a little bit too harsh on me. And I’d look back on those episodes and I’d have to question whether or not that was even the episode they were talking about because I don’t see it in that way,” she shared.

“I look at it as a way to improve and if we didn’t get given constructive criticism, I don’t think I would be here now and Pezza would never be in the finale because the judges were constantly pushing us to make sure that we improved. So I genuinely didn’t feel like that at all. “But that’s also just me as well. Because my parents, the way they talk to me is kind of similar. Even when you do well, it’s like, ‘Well, you can do better’,” she added.

Josh "Pezza" Perry lost out at the final hurdle to Nat Thaipun during the Grand Finale. Picture: Supplied.

Her remarks came after judge Poh Ling Yeow told news.com.au that while she had heard “conspiracies” as a contestant that the judges had favourites, things couldn’t be further from the truth.

“I can honestly tell you, that’s just not the case. There is no room for anything but fairness,” she explained. “It’s a really comprehensive process and in-depth discussion that leads to the final decision. In fact, we are often divided. There is no way favouritism comes into play.”

Originally published as ‘Too harsh’: MasterChef winner hits back