MasterChef’s decision to serve up a ‘twist’ by bringing back failed ex contestants to take part in the latest series of the BBC One cooking show has proved unpalatable for some fans.
Billing the latest episode as ‘Comeback Week’, the show’s bosses have invited ten former contestants to have another bite of the MasterChef cherry – to see if they can improve on their previous performances.
In the latest episode which aired on Tuesday, viewers were re-introduced to five past contestants: circus artist Chris, 44, lecturer Farokh, 38, DJ Lyndsay, 43, company secretary Mary, 60, and project coordinator Matthew, 34.
Characterful Farouk, who was born in Iran but now lives in East London, describes his cooking style as ‘experimental’ and got to the final ten in 2022 – before he ‘destroyed’ a pork tenderloin dish in a panic in the semi-final.
Double trouble? Drama lecturer Farokh was one of ten contestants returning for Comeback Week on MasterChef…but his second outing proved as stressful as his first in 2022
The characterful lecturer, who describes himself as an ‘experimental cook’, said he hoped for redemption upon his return – but judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace showed him the door once more
Farokh cooked a pork and apple dish in 2022 that he burnt in a panic. This time around, his revamped dish was a little more of a hit – although Gregg Wallace said it was undercooked and could have been presented better
He explained to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that he was relishing his chance at foodie redemption, saying: ‘I have been dreaming of this moment to see if I could have done any differently’.
The first time around, in series 18, Farouk was described by Torode as ‘frantic’, and the cook appeared dripping in sweat during his semi-final challenge in which he cooked the pork and apple dish, which he burnt ‘several times’.
Welcome back: John Torode and Gregg Wallace offered a warm welcome to the returning contestants
Left, the cook on the show in 2022, and appearing in this week’s episode, right
Take two? He revamped the tenderloin dish – adding sage, corn and black pudding, and named it ‘Porky Sisyphus rides again’.
However, he didn’t fare much better and was eliminated along with Lyndsay.
Looking dispirited, the drama lecturer told the show the competition was much tougher this time around but said he couldn’t change how he cooked.
He said: ‘I am who I am. I will never be a chef, but I will always be an experimental cook.’
The three winners – Matthew, Chris, and Mary – will get to cook again, this time against new contestants in the quarter-final.
Bringing back ten former contestants hasn’t gone down well with many of the MasterChef faithful
Circus artist Chris, 44, (centre), lecturer Farokh, 38, (left) and company secretary Mary, 60, right, in the latest episode
Many viewers didn’t enjoy the ‘twist’ though, saying it wasn’t fair that cooks who’d failed the first time around could get a second chance.
One wrote: ‘I think #masterchefuk has lost the plot! Very unfair on the current contestants bringing back past contenders! They should have done a standalone series with past contestants!’
Elsewhere, someone penned: ‘#masterchefuk dont see the point of this… why did they bring them back? Think it’s a bit wrong tbh’
Another comeback kid: Former MasterChef The Professionals contestant Matthew Kyle was on hand to help with the judging in the latest episode
Another added: ‘Not sure I get why they brought back past years failed contestants on #MasterChefUK tonight. Think it must be a right old kick in the teeth for this year’s contestants who have been eliminated already.’
And one viewer opined: ‘Didn’t really enjoy Failed Cooks Try Again version of #MasterChefUK tonight. Wonder if next time will be better?’
There were some who appreciated the creativity of the show’s bosses though, including one who wrote: ‘Loved tonights #MasterChefUK and this weeks rounds. Great to see former contestants back and nice touch having Matthew back, was one of my favourites on #MasterChefTheProfessionals.’
Episodes of MasterChef are available on BBC iPlayer
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