MasterChef Australia viewers are threatening a boycott after a controversial elimination saw a fan favourite sent home in what many are calling an unjust decision. The backlash erupted during Sunday's episode, which featured a head-to-head duel challenge that left one contestant packing their knives.
The challenge saw contestants paired off, with each cooking a dish behind a 'spite fence' dividing the kitchen. The timer was set at 90 minutes, with remaining time carried into a second round. While most contestants impressed the judges, the elimination of Maja—whose parmesan panna cotta initially failed to set—sparked outrage. Despite judges praising her resilience, she was sent home after losing her duel to Sabina.
Fans took to social media to vent, with many accusing the show of favouritism and poor judging. 'Maja was robbed! She showed so much heart and her dish was beautiful in the end,' one viewer wrote. Another added, 'I'm done with MasterChef if they keep eliminating the best cooks.' The hashtag #BoycottMasterChef trended briefly on Twitter.
The episode also highlighted the emotional toll on contestants, with Brent openly struggling with homesickness. 'The amount of pressure is so crazy,' he said, as he missed his family. Meanwhile, the judges praised dishes from Depinder, Kishwar, and Minoli, but the focus remained on the contentious elimination.
MasterChef Australia has not commented on the backlash, but the incident has reignited debates about the show's format and judging criteria. With the competition heating up, fans are demanding fairer treatment for all contestants.
