‘What about cross-contamination?’ MasterChef fans left shocked as contestants share food, hug and give each other high-fives as show airs amid coronavirus pandemic
MasterChef fans were shocked to see contestants hugging, giving each other high-fives and sharing food on the first week of the new all-stars season, Back To Win.
The popular cooking show was filmed in advance, well before social distancing restrictions were put in place by the Australian government.
‘Honestly I’m spun out by the abandon with which everyone is shaking hands and touching each other. What a time,’ one fan wrote on Wednesday.
‘Remember when we could share food?’ On Wednesday, MasterChef fans enjoyed a pre-coronavirus world before social distancing measures come into play on the hit cooking show
Another added: ‘I’m flinching every time anyone high-fives or touches anything or goes within 1.5 metres of each other.’
‘I’m watching the judges all dig into the food and silently screaming “ALL THE CROSS CONTAMINATION”,’ a third pointed out.
But Endemol Shine and Channel Ten have assured concerned viewers social distancing measures were introduced across ‘every facet of the production’ in future episodes.
According to 10Daily, changes include spacing out contestants’ work benches, the use of gloves and no sharing of food.
‘Remember when we could share food’:While the contestants and judges were in close quarters during this week’s episodes, Network Ten have revealed the strict rules that were put into place while filming in later weeks. Pictured: judge Melissa Leong
As reported in The Daily Telegraph earlier this month, the coronavirus pandemic caused a ‘dire situation’ for producers on MasterChef.
International judges Nigella Lawson and Heston Blumenthal had to cancel their scheduled appearances, while outdoor challenges with crowds have been shelved.
All planned travel for the current season has also had to be cancelled, according to the publication.
Social distancing please! According to 10Daily, future changes include spacing out contestants’ work benches, the use of gloves and no sharing food
Contestants will also reportedly serve up individually sized dishes for judges to sample, as opposed to share plates.
One drawcard for the program however is that show already has segments with Gordon Ramsay, Curtis Stone and American pop star Katy Perry in the can.
MasterChef: Back To Win continues Thursday at 7.30pm on Channel 10
Bon appetit: MasterChef: Back To Win continues Thursday at 7.30pm on Channel 10. Pictured: judges Jock Zonfrillo, Melissa Leong and Andy Allen