MasterChef viewers notice major difference in Aussie series: 'Was it always like this?'

We are getting to the pointy end of MasterChef Australia, with ten contestants remaining to battle it out for the top prize of $250,000. With Alex, Mimi, Nat and Sumeet all safe after their outstanding work during Sweet Week, this Sunday will see one of the remaining six contestants sent home.

Over the course of the 2024 season, viewers have taken issue with various elements of the competition - from the lack of screen time given to Sue Bazely to the judge's decision to send Lourdes home to the blatant Coles plugging to Andy's pants. However, in a twist that no one saw coming, one viewer has noticed perhaps the most unsettling detail of all.

That detail, you ask? Well, it's that MasterChef Australia is TOO nice!

Yep, in a post uploaded to Reddit, someone suggested that the Aussie cooking series is "too nice and civil" compared to its US counterparts.

"I started watching MasterChef Australia only from this season," they wrote. "My idea of a cooking reality show was formed by watching the US version and Hell's Kitchen. I was quite surprised to see that the judges are so nice and civil with the contestants. Even if the contestants are doing a terrible job, they are not criticized [sic] much. Was it always like this?"

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Fans praise MasterChef Australia: 'Glorious'

In the wholesome thread that followed people explained that this is exactly why they love the 'Down Under' version of the competition and shared past moments from the series that could almost restore some faith in humanity.

"If you think the judges’ behaviour is shockingly nice, the contestants are next level. I remember one FINALE episode pressure test where one contestant was struggling to operate some kind of kitchen tool. The other contestant literally left their bench and went over to show them what to do. I find it really lovely."

"I remember an older contestant bowing out of the competition because it was between him and a younger contestant and the older guy didn't want the younger guy to lose his chance at a culinary career."

"That was Andy’s bestie, Ben in Season 4," someone replied.

"Yes, and that is what makes it glorious. I'm American and I come here specifically to get away from American cooking competitions!" another fan shared. "I work in a Junior High. There is enough rudeness and incivility in my life every day! I watch Masterchef UK and Aus to restore my faith in humanity. I'm also Canadian and unsurprisingly Canadian Masterchef splits the difference between the two."

Australia vs US

Other viewers noted the differences between the US and Australian versions with one theorising that the "US judges want to be respected and glorified" while the Aussie judges "want to be your mentors and friends."

"I live in the US and loathe cooking shows here (except Top Chef). I watch Masterchef Australia specifically because of the supportive hosts/judges and the self-deprecating contestants," another viewer added. "It has always been this way."

A different, but equally glowing review read, "Yes this is what makes the Australian one great. We watch it with our 8-year-old because it celebrates values like hard-work, resilience, fairness, having a growth mindset, healthy competition and being a good sport. The judge's role model and deliver honest and constructive feedback. It’s a very rare oasis of decency in the roll-call of television reality shows."

The praise for the series continued over on Facebook where a viewer took to a fan group to write, "I just love MasterChef Australia. I just watched a few episodes of the US episodes. I simply don’t like seeing the US judges being nasty to the contestants. Thank you MasterChef Australia for always respecting and encouraging the contestants."

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"The Aussie version has a 'warmth' about it that is missing from other countries' versions," someone agreed.

"The best reality show in Australia right now," a third said. "Always encouraging one another. Don’t ever change it."

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