MasterChef Australia fans point out major problem with first episode

MasterChef Australia is back for another season of incredible dishes, heart-wrenching backstories and constant reminders that while you struggle not to overcook two-minute noodles, there are people out there who can create edible works of art with a few cups of flour and a blast chiller.

On Monday night, 24 new hopeful home cooks descended upon the iconic MasterChef kitchen and prepared to battle it out for the grand prize in front of the four judges (Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin, and Jean-Christophe Novelli) as well as internationally renowned chef Jamie Oliver.

To make the season premiere as dramatic as possible, the judges announced that not only would the new cast be competing for an immunity pin, it would be the only immunity pin all season. Cue: everyone rushing to the MasterChef pantry and whipping up culinary masterpieces while we all sat at home eating a stale bag of chips for dinner.

As per usual, everyone came to the table with their A-game and a bit of context about why they had chosen the dishes they had. I think it's fairly safe to say that the nation was collectively drooling at the sight of Sav's incredible Sri Lankan breakfast curry, Juan's pao de queijo (and his smile) and Lachlan's green tea smoked duck.

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However, it was Nat who won the coveted immunity pin with her kangaroo larb that she said reflected her personality on a plate.

All five judges were positively floored by her creation with Sofia saying, "This is as good, if not better than any dish I've had in a restaurant in Australia in the last six months."

"This is just perfect," gushed Jean-Christophe while Andy said, "This is the stuff that excites us. You excite us, Nat. That is a restaurant dish and it's day one. It combined so many great things about Australia - and you're one of them so well done."

Social media users were also quick to shower Nat with compliments for her winning dish.

"Tonight you killed it," one fan wrote on Instagram. "The judges, the other contestants and Australia. Who knows maybe the world. Destiny awaits."

"It's not Finals Week yet and this is like Finals calibre cooking oh my gosh stoked to tune in to this season," another enthused.

Said another, "Very impressive, I was salivating and I haven’t even eaten kangaroo before."

Over on X (formerly Twitter) people were just as complimentary with one viewer writing, "My gosh Jock would have loved Nat's kangaroo larb."

"Well deserved win Nat," another said. "Creative and stunning a dish that you’d see in a fine restaurant. Well done."

Added another, "Huge congratulations to Nat for that well-deserved immunity win. What a creative, beautiful, delicious-looking dish. A fabulous fusion of her Thai and Australian heritage. I'm excited to see more of her."

Of course, this is the internet so there were a couple of people who pointed out one big problem with Nat's kangaroo larb - that it wasn't cooked despite MasterChef being a cooking competition.

"With one minute left, Nat suddenly realises she’s forgotten to cook anything," one person quipped.

"I will never accept a cooking competition rewarding people for not cooking," another teased.

In addition to the immunity pin, Nat also won a trip to London and the chance to get work experience in one of Jamie Oliver's restaurants.

Many fans are also already tipping her to make it all the way through to the end where she could have a great shot at winning the $250,000 prize money, although a couple of fans did joke that there is a bit of a problem with that amount.

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"Has the prize money changed since season 1," one person asked. "Did anyone think about inflation?"

"The prize money hasn’t caught up with inflation ha!" someone else quipped.

Chimed in someone else, "As Feras, the winner of #SurvivorAU, said 'Chips are $8 now!' Should definitely be increased."

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