Surprising star MasterChef Australia viewers want as judge in 2025: ‘He’s better than all of them’

By A. James For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 12:23 BST, 12 July 2024 | Updated: 12:24 BST, 12 July 2024

MasterChef Australia fans have delivered a verdict on the cooking shows new line up of judges featured on the current season.

And many appear to want to dump the food gurus for a new cast.

The surprising top choice from fans for the prized gig on the ratings hit is former MasterChef judge Shannon Bennett.

Sharing their thoughts on a MasterChef Australia Facebook fan site, viewers suggested that the celebrity chef and restaurateur, 48, would be ‘better’ than one of the current line-up including MasterChef veteran Andy Allen.   

Shannon is known for running Melbourne’s renowned Vue de monde restaurant.

Andy was the only judge to return to the show this year, after Melissa Leong was dropped and Jock Zonfrillo tragically died in April last year.

He was joined on the 2024 panel by MasterChef season one runner-up Poh Ling Yeow, food writer Sofia Levin and French chef Jean-Christophe Novelli.

‘Ok. I’m going to put it out there. After a long enough time to analyse, I still think that Shannon Bennett would have made a better judge than any of those current,’ suggested one fan.

MasterChef Australia viewers took to a Facebook fan site this week to declare celebrity chef Shannon Bennett (pictured) as their preferred judge on the cooking show for 2025

They continued: ‘And (I’m sorry – I know there will be haters) I don’t think that Sofia makes a great food critic. 

‘Mel [Leong] would describe the food to the point that I could almost taste the texture and flavour! 

‘Anyone can taste food and say it’s delicious – or not – but (in my opinion only) some better ”explanation words” should be expressed for someone critiquing food at this level.’

The provocative post created a lengthy discussion among the cooking competitions fans, with many backing up for Shannon who was a one time regular on the cooking competition. 

Fans appear to still be struggling with the new line up after the sudden death of  MasterChef favourite Jock Zonfrillo (pictured) last year

Andy was joined on the 2024 panel by MasterChef season one runner-up Poh Ling Yeow, food writer Sofia Levin and French chef Jean-Christophe Novelli (all pictured)

Andy was the only judge to return to the show this year, after Melissa Leong was dropped and Jock Zonfrillo’s tragic death

‘Shannon Bennet was my first choice,’ messaged one fan and added:

‘But looks like he’s not included at all now. What a shame.’

‘Andy could have gone and Shannon put in his place,’ suggested another viewer, while another fan agreed: ‘I would have loved to see Shannon Bennett as a judge.’ 

Others were equally enthusiastic for the well-known chef: ‘I would of [sic] preferred Shannon.’

Still, a number of MasterChef Australia fans felt that the current judges had done a terrific job this season.

‘Okay guys it’s the first year with the new judges, they’re finding their feet in the kitchen and feeling their way around Andy. 

‘Of course it’s not going to be the same show without Jock BUT then the show must go on,’ wrote one viewer on the post.

Added another fan: ‘I wish people would stop complaining, I’m enjoying the show and love the judges.’

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Surprising star MasterChef Australia viewers want as judge in 2025: ‘He’s better than all of them’

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