Fans of MasterChef Australia have cast their votes on the cooking show’s new judges for the current season.
And many seem to want to ditch the food gurus for a new cast.
The surprise fan favourite for the critically acclaimed performance in the ratings hit is former MasterChef judge Shannon Bennett.
Viewers shared their thoughts on MasterChef Australia’s Facebook fansite, suggesting the 48-year-old chef and restaurateur would be “better” than anyone from the current team, which includes MasterChef veteran Andy Allen.
Schnauzer is known for running the famous Melbourne restaurant Vue de monde.
Andy was the only judge to return to the show this year, after Melissa Leong was ousted and Jock Zonfrillo tragically passed away in April last year.
Joining him on the 2024 panel were Poh Ling Yeow, runner-up in the first season of MasterChef, food writer Sofia Levin and French chef Jean-Christophe Novelli.
“Okay. I’m gonna throw it out there. After a long time of analyzing, I still think Shannon Bennett would have been a better judge than any of the current ones,” one fan suggested.
Viewers of MasterChef Australia took to a Facebook fansite this week to vote celebrity chef Shannon Bennett (pictured) as their favourite judge for the 2025 cooking show
They continued, “And (I’m sorry, I know there will be haters) I don’t think Sofia is a great food critic.
‘Mel [Leong] would describe the food in such a way that I could almost taste the texture and flavor!
“Anyone can taste food and say it is good – or not – but (in my opinion) better ‘explanatory words’ should be used for someone who criticizes food at this level.”
The provocative post sparked a lengthy conversation among fans of the cooking competition, with many supporting Shannon, who was once a regular contestant on the cooking competition.
Fans still seem to 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 ousted and Jock Zonfrillo tragically passed away
“Shannon Bennet was my first choice,” one fan wrote in a post, adding:
“But it seems like he’s not there at all now. What a shame.”
“Andy could have gone and Shannon took his place,” another viewer suggested, while another fan agreed: “I would have liked to see Shannon Bennett as a judge.”
Others were equally enthusiastic about the famous chef: ‘I had [sic] preferred Shannon.
Still, some MasterChef Australia fans felt the current judges had done a fantastic job this season.
‘Okay guys, this is the first year with the new judges. They’re finding their way around the kitchen and getting to know Andy.
“Of course it won’t be the same show without Jock, BUT the show must go on,” one viewer wrote on the post.
Another fan added: ‘I wish people would stop complaining, I enjoy the show and love the judges.’