MasterChef fans clash over new judges: 'Something is off'

MasterChef fans have been left unsure over the move to bring in four judges following the shock death of former judge Jock Zonfrillo and Melissa Leong, focusing her attention on Dessert Masters.

Andy Allen, former MasterChef winner turned judge, has stayed on this year, while new additions include beloved former contestant Poh Ling Yeow, food critic Sofia Levin, and Michelin Star maestro Jean-Christophe Novelli.

One Reddit user kickstarted a conversation about the judges, saying that felt "something is off" with the new panel.

"Finding a replacement for Jock was never going to be easy, and I love Poh. But does anyone else feel like the current judging panel is a slight overcorrect? Plus a guest judge, it’s too busy," they wrote.

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"Maybe I need time to settle into the new judging panel, but it just feels off. Andy and Poh are great, I just don’t think everyone around them is executing as sharp as they do.

"Just me?" they asked.

Other Redditors were divided on the matter, with one responding, "It felt the same way for me when Andy, Mel and Jock took over...it was hectic and rather awkward.

"I think it’ll settle down in the second or third week, especially once Jamie Oliver is gone, but to be honest, I quite like the positivity and energy that Sofia, JC and Poh bring."

"In general I think it's fairly full-on with so many contestants and five judges. Hopefully once Jamie has gone it'll calm down a bit."

"Give them some time to find their groove. This always happens when there is a new line up of judges," a third added.

"It was weird when the last lot took over, too. They'd found their dynamic by the end of a season," another agreed.

"I don't dislike any of the new judges but I do feel that having 4 judges is just too much and its made even worse having a temporary 5th one (Jamie)," someone else added. "Maybe when Jamie goes it will feel more balanced."

Some described the many judges as "a bit chaotic" and "very crowded", while others described the new judges as 'too positive'.

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"My main thought was that they are hyper-ly positive," one user said. "Like a cheer squad on overdrive. And there are almost no negative comments. How can 6 out of 10 dishes be SSSSOOOO crazy good? I do not dislike them, just want them to calm down."

"TBH the new judges were missing a lot. It’s not their fault or anything but they were too fake 'nice' to me," another said. "Their commentaries when judging always amounted to this food good or this food bad. They never rewarded anyone for taking a risk that didn’t quite pan out and anyone that sat in their comfort zone skates through."

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