Masterchef Australia made its triumphant return to screens on Monday night.
During the season 16 premiere, twenty-two contestants were introduced and tasked with preparing their first dish of the season.
One contestant, Nat Thaipun, stole the show by making a “kangaroo larb with soy-cured egg yolk and toasted rice wafer.”
“This is as good, if not better, than any dish I’ve had in a restaurant in Australia in the last six months,” judge Sofia Levin told Nat.
The dish earned him the coveted immunity badge and the opportunity to work with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver in London.
Masterchef Australia fans criticized Nat Thaipun for winning the season premiere task with a dish that wasn’t cooked. (Pictured: the MasterChef Australia judges)
Fans flooded social media with praise for the contestant.
‘Many congratulations to Nat for that well-deserved immunity. What a creative, beautiful and delicious dish. A fabulous fusion of her Thai and Australian heritage. “I’m excited to see more of her,” one fan wrote.
‘Woohoo, well done Nat!!!…I’d pay good money to eat Nat’s dish!’
However, some fans were quick to point out one problem: the food wasn’t cooked.
Nat Thaipun stole the show by preparing a ‘kangaroo larb with soy-cured egg yolk and toasted rice wafer’
“I will never accept a cooking contest that rewards people for not cooking,” one fan commented.
“With one minute left, Nat suddenly realizes she’s forgotten to cook something,” wrote another.
‘It looked beautiful but the dish also looked raw!? Is it safe to eat wild kangaroo cooked that way? one user questioned.
It comes as Andy Allen has returned to the Channel Ten cooking show alongside some new faces in a panel shake-up.
Some fans were quick to point out one problem: the food wasn’t cooked.
He is joined by celebrity French chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, Melbourne-based food critic Sofia Levin and MasterChef season one runner-up Poh Ling Yeow.
Celebrity chef and restaurateur Jamie Oliver will also join the 2024 series as a guest judge for some episodes in an exciting twist.
His two-week stint on the upcoming season will be the longest appearance of any guest judge in the show’s 14-year history.
Jamie first appeared as a guest judge on MasterChef during the fourth season in 2012.
“This is as good, if not better, than any dish I’ve had in a restaurant in Australia in the last six months,” judge Sofia Levin (pictured) told Nat.
Poh replaced Melissa Leong on the 2024 series of MasterChef in a major shake-up as the former judge plans to focus on her Dessert Masters show.
Twenty-two contestants will appear on screen Monday to compete for the coveted title and $250,000 cash prize.
Ten have also teased a mysterious “priceless prize” for the lucky winner as they will be given the as-yet-unnamed opportunity of a lifetime.
MasterChef Australia continues Wednesday at 7.30pm on 10 and 10 Play.