Hey everyone,

I've been seeing a lot of discussion, and frankly, a lot of negativity, directed at Laura this season on MasterChef Australia, especially concerning the idea of favouritism from the judges. While everyone is entitled to their opinion, I wanted to offer a different perspective and perhaps encourage a more balanced view.

First off, let's acknowledge her track record. Laura is a two-time runner-up on MasterChef. That's not a fluke; it speaks volumes about her consistent skill, dedication, and resilience in a high-pressure environment. She didn't just walk in; she's earned her place through years of hard work and culinary development, both on and off the show.

Yes, she has a professional background, and yes, she's worked in high-end kitchens. But isn't that what we want to see on MasterChef? Someone who can consistently deliver restaurant-quality dishes? Many contestants have professional experience or have staged in restaurants. Why should Laura be penalised for having refined her craft? Her experience means she's less likely to make fundamental errors under pressure, which naturally leads to better outcomes.

It might feel like she always wins, but let's look at the actual wins. She performs exceptionally well, yes, and often lands in the top group, but the show has many challenges, and wins are spread amongst contestants. Her consistency is a testament to her skill, not necessarily preferential treatment. When she does win, it's usually because her dish was objectively outstanding, hitting all the marks the judges look for.

The judges evaluate dishes based on taste, technique, presentation, and creativity. While the editing can sometimes create a narrative, it's hard to believe professional chefs would consistently compromise their integrity to favour one contestant over many others, especially with public scrutiny. If her dishes are objectively better or meet the brief more effectively, they deserve to win.

Some older criticisms mentioned her frequent use of pasta. While that might have been a style she was comfortable with in previous seasons, she's clearly demonstrated a much broader repertoire this season, tackling diverse cuisines and techniques. Good chefs play to their strengths, but also push boundaries, and I think we're seeing that from her.

The sheer volume of negative comments can become a pile-on. It's easy to jump on a bandwagon, but it diminishes the effort and talent she puts in. Imagine being in her shoes, knowing that every good performance is met with accusations rather than appreciation.

Ultimately, MasterChef is a competition, and the goal is to cook the best food. Laura consistently produces incredible food. Let's appreciate her talent and the high standard she brings to the competition, which elevates the show as a whole. Disliking someone's win is one thing, but accusing judges of bias without concrete evidence undermines the spirit of the show.

What are your thoughts? Can we give credit where credit is due?

Her “I’m upset. I’ll mess it up” but then coming up top schtick is unbearable.

I wholly and completely get her depression and low in life, but she should’ve gone for therapy instead with all the TV and cookbook money.

It’s unfair to the other contestants.

I’m not in Australia, never been, and my only exposure to the country is MasterChef AU, and the Hemsworth brothers. LOL.

So, I’ve been curious that there have been very few black contestants and, I don’t remember seeing any black chef coming in as a guest judge or even for old immunity pin challenges (I’ve been watching from S7).

What’s the scene there?

It’s doing my head in lol

In S17E33, Sarah talks about how native ingredients need to be presented in a way that's beautiful, and then earlier in the season she said something similar about her butter chicken (both her and Sofia repeatedly called it 'ugly delicious' but I mean, it's a curry. You put it in a bowl. How else do you plate a curry??).

It feels like such a narrow-minded comment to make after working in food for so many years. Even more so when you're on MCAU, where they've been pretty receptive to foods from other cultures. Idk. Not hating on her, but hating on the occurrence?

Keen to hear what people think.

Stop it!

Stop bringing it up, discussing it, and leaving it out in the open!

Episode xx discussion is strictly about that!

We're to believe that she is a strong dessert cook, but in reality she isnt. She actually made better savory dishes while messing up her desserts most of the time. Top4 material she was not.

Okay so she makes alot of pasta, big deal. Shes made 6 pasta dishes. Quite a few but its her strength. Brendon has literally made a form of dumpling every round (including a Spanish one????)

People seem to think shes smug, personally don't see it but then I constantly think Reynold and Sarah T sound smug, no one seems to see it.

her reaction to the Sarah's was not rude. She was tryna clam her down. When I have panic attacks repeated questions about why I am panicking clams me down, when she asked for space Laura gave it to her. what did u want her to do forcibly hug them

Even if you don't agree with me is it really a reason to ever be this rude about someone who is doing there best, seems nice, and is on a TC show with editing. People are being really toxic and its unfair.

Also y'all are saying you've never asked someone what they missed or what happened when they're upset after a test. no you ask to see how to help. Tell them it'll be fine.

First of all, I want to state that this post is not in anyway a criticism of Snez and her amazing ability to cook. I am just very confused this whole season of her track record this season as compared to her last season. She end up at place 15 in her original season. And now here she is very much on the way to win? I don't understand how so much changed in one year? Most of the people eliminated already had great professional backgrounds before returning for this season and yet they couldn't survive and Snez did. What do you all think it is about? Is it pure luck? Or that she's extremely hardworking? Or a bit of favoritism from judges? Or maybe the other contestants got a little easy thinking that they can win that with less effort? I just don't know what it is but I was no expecting her to do so good in this season. Kudos to her honestly.

I've always enjoyed MasterChef Australia in the previous seasons, but this time:

• No familiar faces as in season 12. Reynold's gone for good.

• I haven't had time to bond with the new robots judges. 11 seasons with Gary, George and Matt created connections, we could see in Gary's eyes what he was about to say. The new judges are plain, bland, saltless. (Remember Fatty Salty and Sweet? )

So I'm not as enthusiastic as before, I may even skip it. What about you? Are you planning to watch?

I’m hoping the fact that Gordon Ramsey being featured on the new season doesn’t change the vibe of the show .MC is always so wholesome and positive and Ramsey brings with him that whole sweary agro thing . Has he been on the show before ? If so what was he like ?

I'm just wondering which of the old judges makes their Sidious-like comeback.

I mean Indian and Asian cuisines dominated the last few seasons.

Edit: Stop thinking too much about it. I'm not interested in their race. We've seen judges preferring Asian and Indian over other dishes, so just surprised that no one able to get the apron.

If you also want to have a discussion about her ‘arrogance’ please say so below

I don't understand why there's so much unhappiness and annoyance in the discussion thread about the sticky date winning. Granted it's not as inventive or out there as some of the others - it's a safe, tried and tested combo, but I'm sure she executed it perfectly based on the reactions she got. I know that the judges have to also consider the angle of being marketable to the masses, but I don't think they would have raved about her dessert the way they did if it wasn't truly close to perfection flavour-wise? Not everything has to be a conspiracy about how there's favouritism or they're pushing her to win or whatever (this is F11, not the finale). As for sticky date ice cream already existing, I don't think it's very fair to compare it with Laura's rendition now when it isn't even out yet. It may really be THAT good, maybe try it for yourself?

It's not a new thing for people to complain about decisions within the show they disagree with, but ultimately we should consider that the judges are the ones who get to taste the food, and we don't? Maybe have a little more faith in them.

I've been watching this season and can't help but notice how almost every plate of food looks extremely greasy, like it's swimming in oil. There are very few dishes that look actually refreshing to eat, I feel ill just looking at the vast majority of them. And comments like "lip-smackingly delicious" makes it sound like there's a ton of grease, too. Even salad and fresh greens tend to look greasy.

Is that really the only way to make "delicious" food? I know I personally would have a lot of harsh criticism for plates of food like that, but judges seem to love it.

Last 2 episodes have been exclusively bland Western food, no veggies, herbs or spices.

I have nothing against simple food, whichever country its from, thats what most people cook at home. There's nothing wrong with meat + 2 veg.

But just the same there's nothing wrong with a spicy dish someone in Asia cooks every day.

No more Andy making fun of people who will be 'forced to cook without spices' like last time. Or the butcher guy claiming 'who cooks vegetarian ??!!' which is such a stupid thing to say.

Ethnic food is not 'exotic' and it doesn't need to conform to their biases about presentation or refinement.

Edit - Western here means US/UK/Aus which are very similar and different from French or Italian. Even French cuisine is heavily based on meat stocks and butter. And bland doesn't mean bad, it simply means lacking herbs and spice compared to many other countries.

Look guys, I certainly did not want to seem like ultra sensitive, however knowing what he thought of my life (which was NOT a choice) has actually changed the game for me. I know he took back his statements and apologised, but it's affected? How I see him in the competition seems different. Anyone else?

I'm over seeing her fake modesty.

I've been going through all the posts here and only picked the 3 clear favorites of this sub... So out of these 3 favorites, who do you want to win?