MasterChef judge Andy Allen responds to harsh criticism from past contestant

Andy Allen has hit back at a past MasterChef contestant who described the judge’s critiques as a “collection of words that make no sense”.

MasterChef judge Andy Allen has returned fire after a past contestant targeted him with an epic spray.

With a new season of MasterChef Australia kicking off on Channel 10 on May 1, Allen spoke to news.com.au’s podcast, I’ve Got News For You.

During the interview, we asked Allen how he felt about some harsh comments made by past contestant Chris Badenoch in 2020.

Speaking to news.com.au after his elimination from the MasterChef: Back To Win series, Badenoch criticised Allen’s food critiques in the reality show, describing them as “incredibly frustrating”.

“It’s not feedback, it’s just a collection of words that make no sense,” Badenoch said at the time.

“He’s commented on things that I’ve cooked and when he’s walked away it’s like, ‘I have no idea what he said or what he meant.’ You almost need subtitles. I don’t get it!

“Jock [Zonfrillo] or Melissa [Leong] will give you a good critique … [but Andy] it’s not constructive.

“It’s like a Trump speech; a whole lot of words that don’t match,” Badenoch said.

Chris Badenoch has appeared on MasterChef Australia three times. Picture: Network 10

Andy Allen previously won MasterChef and is now a judge. Picture: Jason Edwards

On the I’ve Got News For You podcast, Allen sounded slightly amused by the criticism.

“Wow, first time I’ve been compared to Trump, how good,” he laughed.

“Look, when I was a contestant, it was your job to really be able to understand and piece together the critiques [from the judges]. It’s part of the learning process.

“If Chris just wants to stand there and say that he couldn’t understand it, well, I mean, I’m sorry mate, but that’s your problem.

“Honestly, if there’s one contestant out of all of the contestants that I’ve critiqued over the last four years and everyone else seem to be happy, I think he might be the odd one out,” Allen said.

During the podcast interview, Allen also spoke about celebrity chef Jamie Oliver who appears as a guest judge in the upcoming season of MasterChef.

“He’s literally exactly what you would think he’s like,” Allen said. “There’s no persona that he puts on for television.

“He is the most loving, generous, knowledgeable guy out there and whether he was on camera or off camera, he was the exact same dude.”

Jamie Oliver will appear on the upcoming season of MasterChef Australia.

This year’s season of MasterChef is called “Secrets & Surprises” and will feature 18 contestants battling it out for the $250,000 prize.

“There’s so many relatable characters this year and the food is so relatable as well,” Allen said.

“Food in the hospitality industry right now is simple in its looks, but how it’s put together is really unique, and I think this series of MasterChef definitely follows that trend.”

MasterChef Australia: Secrets & Surprises premieres Monday, May 1 at 7.30pm on 10 and 10 Play