Manu Feildel admits last season of MKR ‘didn’t work as well as we thought’ after deliberately trying to cut drama from show
My Kitchen Rules judge Manu Feildel has condemned the latest season of the popular Channel Seven cooking competition after producers tried to ‘sweeten’ the show.
For most of its history, MKR has been known for contestant infighting, and no season would be complete without a handful of outrageous “villains.”
But Manu, 49, says the “makeover” of last year’s reboot was not a success.
“We used to have a lot of drama in the old way of doing MKR and last year we tried to get rid of all the drama,” the fan favorite said in an interview with Who magazine this week.
“And that didn’t work as well as we thought,” he continued.
My Kitchen Rules judge Manu Feildel (pictured) has condemned the latest season of Channel Seven’s hit cooking competition after producers tried to ‘sweeten’ the show
For most of its history, MKR has been known for contestant infighting, and no season would be complete without a handful of outrageous “villains.” But Manu, 49, told Who magazine this week that the “makeover” for last year’s reboot wasn’t a success. Pictured: 2022 MKR contestants Kate and Mary (Queensland) and Janelle and Monzir (NSW)
Pictured: Manu and MKR guest judge Nigella Lawson
Ahead of season 13’s debut on Monday, Manu said fans can expect this season: “Lots of love, a little drama, and good food. Definitely, better food this time.
“And the hosts are great,” he joked.
Manu will once again be joined in the kitchen by judge Colin Fassnidge, 49. Renowned celebrity chef Nigella Lawson, meanwhile, will return for a guest spot in judging finals week.
Meanwhile, he took a moment to remember MKR judge Jock Zonfrillo, who died suddenly on April 30, after filming on the new series had begun.
Manu revealed that upon hearing the news, he and Colin made a toast in Jock’s honor.
“We were all so shocked at the time. There was a very special moment in our caravan at the end of the day when we poured him a whiskey,” he said.
It comes after Manu shared a cheeky opinionn on this year’s cast members.
The celebrity chef did not hesitate when he admitted that he would have liked to see more experienced contestants in this year’s competition.
In 2023, Manu says fans can expect a ‘better mix’ of food, drama and ‘love’ in MKR
“Without being an asshole, I think we could have had better cooks,” he told the paper Daily telegram.
‘People need to have more experience, real foodies.’
MKR returned to Channel Seven in 2022 after a two-year absence. The show debuted to just 500,000 viewers and continued to lose fans in metro centers.
Still, according to figures from Total TV – which combines regional viewing figures, missed TV and BVOD (broadcast video on demand) – MKT had an average of no fewer than 900,000 fans per episode by 2022.
MKR returned to Channel Seven in 2022 after a two-year absence. The show debuted to just 500,000 viewers and continued to lure fans into metro centers. Pictured: MKR 2022 winners Janelle Halil and Monzir Hamdin