It’s the hit cooking reality show that sees amateur gourmands plate up dishes from around the world.
But the New Zealand version of My Kitchen Rules was marred by some ‘casual racism’ on Monday when one contestant questioned another’s heritage because she ‘couldn’t understand the accent’.
The incident occurred during the series’ first instant restaurant round, hosted by hopefuls Tash and Hera.
Racism rules? The New Zealand version of My Kitchen Rules, was marred by some casual racism on Monday when one contestant questioned another’s heritage as she ‘couldn’t understand the accent’. Pictured are contestants Heather and Mitch
As the teams were enjoying their meals, contestant Heather asked the following of Cambodian-born Teal.
‘So are you a Kiwi or what? You don’t say much so we can’t judge your accent,’ Heather said, which elicited a round of laughter from the table.
The New Zealand Herald reported that Teal was born in Cambodia but had lived most of his life in Wellington.
Awkward: ‘So are you a Kiwi or what? You don’t say much so we can’t judge your accent,’ Heather said to Cambodian-born Teal (r) which elicited a round of laughter from the table.
In a piece to camera, hopefuls Ben and Jaryd were also discussing Teal, with Ben suggesting that he reminded him of someone.
‘He’s reminding me of someone,’ Ben stated, and when his teammate Jarryd asked who, Ben pointed his fingers and declared: ‘Asian Johnny Depp.
The sentiment was also shared on the official page for the show, in Teal and teammate Sophie’s bio.
Insensitive? ‘He’s reminding me of someone,’ contestant Ben Ben stated in a piece to camera and when his teammate Jarryd asked who, Ben pointed his fingers and declared: ‘Asian Johnny Depp.
‘And we agree with Ben, he does look like an “Asian Johnny Depp.”‘
Cutting back to the instant restaurant another competitor was heard off-camera saying: ‘Where are your parents from?’
Teal, looking uncomfortable at the question, nervously adjusted his glasses before replying: ‘Um, Cambodia.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted TVNZ for comment.
Outdated? The sentiment was also shared on the official page for the show in Teal and teammate Sophie’s bio. ‘And we agree with Ben, he does look like an “Asian Johnny Depp,”‘ the bio read