MasterChef Australia viewers divided over 'disappointing' guest judge Curtis Stone: 'Harsh'

MasterChef Australia welcomed Aussie chef turned international star Curtis Stone back for a second episode on Thursday, but not everyone was happy about it. The Coles ambassador, who lives in LA with his wife and kids, set another challenge, this time to create a fusion sauce that could be bottled and sold at the Aussie supermarket chain.

Sumeet Saigal won the challenge - securing her spot in the top 10 and ensuring her InTALIAN Simmer Sauce made it onto Coles shelves around the country. Sadly, Sumeet's bestie, Sue Bazely, went home the previous night after struggling to keep up in Curtis' pork challenge.

As per usual, social media was ablaze with chatter during both episodes featuring Curtis, with many noticing that he seemed kind of...mean.

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"Tonight’s episode just showcased what a jerk Curtis Stone is…disappointing. Contestants deserved better," one viewer wrote on X.

"Maybe Curtis is trying to edge into Gordon Ramsay’s territory," another suggested.

And the displeasure kept coming with one viewer remarking, "I'm betting Curtis has to do this as part of his deal with Coles. Doesn't look happy to be here at all."

"Curtis is a lot more harsh than Jamie was...," said another while someone else said, "Somehow I don’t like this “tough love” Curtis stone. At least Jamie Oliver helps and answers questions."

"I don't recall Curtis being this unpleasant in past seasons...," wrote a third.

One viewer was especially harsh writing: "Well I think regardless of who the judges decide to eliminate after this challenge the real big takeaway from the whole this is that Curtis Stone is a bit of a pr*ck."

Others seemed to be hopeful that perhaps his apparent crankiness would merely be a one-off with someone writing, "I hope Curtis is in a better mood tomorrow."

As Thursday's episode began, a fan pondered, "Do we get nasty Curtis or nice Curtis tonight?"

Apparently, he was in a slightly better mood - at least according to this fan who wrote, "Curtis definitely seemed a bit happier today."

Phew! What a nail-biter.

However, there was one person who didn't seem to mind Curtis's alleged 'tude, as they were concerned with a far more pressing infraction on the chef's record.

"For all the promoting he does, I’ve never seen Curtis in Coles once!" they said.

And you know what? Now that they mention it...

MasterChef star slams Curtis Stone after controversial move

The viewer reactions to Curtis come after Sue Bazely opened up about her elimination from MasterChef Australia 2024, sharing a video to Instagram that she filmed the morning after her exit from the cooking competition.

In the video, Sue shares her disappointment at how her final cook went and her feelings toward Stone as well as offering words of encouragement and advice to anyone who wants to chase their dreams.

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Sue says in the video, "It's been a wild ride and I loved all of it except the cook with Curtis. It's going to take me a long time to forgive him for that but um yeah it's a brilliant, brilliant experience so go for it if you in the slightest feel that burning ambition it's well well worth it."

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