This week’s episode of MasterChef had more than just culinary drama—it sparked a heated discussion online about what’s appropriate to wear in the kitchen.
Viewers were left “uncomfortable and distracted” by contestant Francesca’s outfit, raising questions about kitchen hygiene and style.
Five Chefs Battle for a Quarter-Final Spot
In the latest episode, five chefs—Paddy, Francesca, Fareeda, Keith, and Kayleigh—competed for a place in the quarter finals.
Their challenge was to take an everyday dish and elevate it, with a single ingredient taking center stage.
Francesca, a 26-year-old estate agent, chose lemons and presented a deconstructed lemon meringue pie, including lemon curd, pie, and a biscuit base.
Judge John Torode praised the concept but expressed concern about execution.
“Deconstructing it, I think that becomes a style over substance,” he said. “It might look great, but food should taste delicious first and foremost.”
Francesca also admitted she had accidentally used whole eggs instead of just yolks in the curd, complicating her dish further.
Fans Focus on the Outfit
While the judges worried about her messy station, viewers were distracted by Francesca’s black one-shoulder long-sleeved top.
Many took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their discomfort.
Comments ranged from calling the top “inappropriate for the kitchen” to saying it looked “unhygienic” with exposed skin in a cooking environment.
One viewer wrote, “Francesca dressed like she’s going for a night out,” while another said, “I’m uncomfortably distracted.”
Who Advanced in the Competition
Despite the distraction, the competition moved on.
Kayleigh, Fareeda, and Paddy were put through to the quarter finals, leaving Francesca and Keith behind.
Hygiene Concerns Continue
This isn’t the first time MasterChef viewers have noticed hygiene issues.
Last week, a contestant named Gabi had sleeves dragging through flour and dough, prompting social media outrage about messy and unsafe cooking practices.
Controversial Edits and Past Host Scandals
The current series has been controversial beyond the kitchen.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace, who hosted for nearly 20 years, were sacked last month after allegations about their conduct were upheld.
Wallace faced multiple complaints, including inappropriate behavior on set, while Torode was criticized for a past racist remark.
Despite the firings, the final series featuring both hosts was filmed before the investigation concluded.
BBC producers have edited the show to minimize their on-screen presence, but some contestants reportedly asked to be edited out entirely to avoid appearing with them.
Awkward and Repetitive Footage Sparks Backlash
Viewers have also criticized the show’s editing, pointing out repeated shots of Wallace making the same facial expressions.
Clips where his semi-gurning smile appears multiple times in a conversation went viral on TikTok, with fans suggesting the edits were intended to make him look “demented” or awkward.
One user, Gingernat Design, commented, “Clever editing from MasterChef,” highlighting the unusual repetition.
The clips sparked lively debates online about whether the editing was intentional or simply a byproduct of the post-production process.