MasterChef Australia viewers savage 'cringe' move in challenge episode: 'So fake to the max'

MasterChef Australia fans are reacting to a detail in the most recent challenge episode, which saw yet another challenge set by chef Adriano Zumbo. As part of sweets week, the home cooks were tasked with creating their take on a croquembouche (a tower of cream-filled profiteroles held together with caramel threads or spun sugar).

In a move that viewers have labelled "cringe" the aspiring chefs were sent not to the MasterChef pantry to procure the ingredients they needed...but to an actual Coles store instead. During the (clearly after-hours) shopping expedition Nat is seen asking a Coles employee where she can find raspberries (which are right in front of her) only to be given a spiel about how the berry provides the perfect amount of "tartness" in dishes and also a little history about where the supermarket sources their raspberries.

The blatant brand placement had fans rushing to social media to share their disdain at the lack of subtlety.

"This Coles placement I CAN’T," one viewer wrote on X.

"The interactions with Coles staff is so fake to the max!!," added another while someone else said, Ahhh "The pretend chat with a Coles worker. So awkward."

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"A journey to Coles, seriously," a different viewer chided.

Another questioned, "Does Coles really need MORE advertising time?" as another quipped, " I wonder if Coles has anything to do with MasterChef..."

"Can’t wait to go to Coles and ask the frazzled staff to tell me the story of their raspberries," someone else joked.

Over on Reddit there was more poking fun at the "Coles ad" with a Redditor writing, "They should get the true Coles experience and have to use the self-service and try and get past "unexpected item in the bagging area" before they can cook 😂."

"The irony of having to go shop at Coles instead of using the already fully stocked pantry and garden… the blatant advertisement makes me want to shop at Woolies," another said.

"These Coles segments are cringier than Pezza making boomer jokes," a different fan noticed.

"Does the MasterChef pantry not have enough Coles branding on it already?" someone else questioned.

But perhaps the whole ordeal was most succinctly summed up by the viewer who simply wrote, "Nice subtle advertising."

Once back from their totally unscripted trip to Coles, it was off to the races with the actual challenge. In the end, despite valiant efforts from all of the contestants, it was Mimi who secured herself immunity for the rest of the week.

The teacher from NSW presented a Chocolate-Spiced Choux Au Craquelin filled with Miso Pumpkin Crème Patisserie which the judges unanimously declared a triumph on all fronts.

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The 25-year-old's social media was flooded with congratulations from fans and fellow contestants alike, but one comment stood out among the rest.

"Looked awesome," a viewer wrote. "Not sure about Shrek’s willy on the top though! 😳😂."

Okay then.

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