Masterchef fans expose 'cooking ick' that happens every season

"I always catch myself watching out for this, and it drives me nuts when contestants do it"

Viewers are finding so much to love in this season of Masterchef, complete with iconic contestants and delicious food to make drama-free, feel-good TV.

In one of this week’s eps, though, eagle-eyed fans officially got the ick from one contestant’s simple act. And, it seems it’s a recurring thing.

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Image: Channel 10.

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“Total pet peeve of mine”

Eagle-eyed Masterchef fans have officially gotten the ick with the show, after seeing a contestant, Theo Loizou, double dip while cooking.

Theo was making his dish during the Mystery Box Challenge when he was caught red-handed, tasting it with a spoon, and then putting the spoon back into the saucepan to stir.

One fan in particular took to Reddit to share the news.

“Anyone else notice Theo tasting his purée and then putting the same spoon back into the pot?” they wrote.

“I mean… don’t tell I’m the only one! I always catch myself watching out for this, and it drives me nuts when contestants do it. Total pet peeve of mine. Yeesh.”

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“I really don't want someone else's saliva in the food I'm going to eat”

And, it’s clear, everyone is on the same page, with contestants throughout the show’s duration being called out for the act.

Even former judge Gary Mehigan was exposed back in 2018, after double-dipping while tasting a contestant’s dish.

“I think someone posted the same thing every season. I think that a lot of them did this, but got edited out. They might be more careful during team challenges. But I don't know,” said one commenter on Reddit.

“Yes, definitely an ick for me too. Totally fine if you're only cooking for yourself, but not if you're going to serve the food to others. I really don't want someone else's saliva in the food I'm going to eat, that's disgusting and unhygienic and a potential health risk,” another agreed.

"What's with the lack of hygiene?"

Some said that health and safety standards on the show had taken a dive altogether.

“They all do it!! And what’s with the lack of hygiene when it comes to hair being open or in your face? That’s the biggest ick! I don’t know if I am remembering correctly but they all adhered to chef level hygiene standards in the initial years,” one person pointed out.

“Bronk's beard in S15 used to give me hives (not literally). They do follow some basics still, with the full trousers, closed shoes, and no long flowy sleeves bit (Used to get quite worried when Mel would walk around during the cook ). But that's more for safety than hygiene,” another added.

“It’s not just reusing the spoon they’ve put in their mouths though… What about the rings they’re wearing on their hands while they’re handling foodstuffs or their hair flopping around their face while they cook etc etc. Maybe I’m a bit ocd but I get grossed out about these..” a third agreed.

Kidspot has reached out to Masterchef for comment.

Originally published as Masterchef fans expose 'cooking ick' that happens every season