On Tuesday night, MasterChef watchers were distracted by a little change in the structure of the long-running culinary competition, when the first audition round episode for season 19 aired.
Judges and newly appointed MBEs John Torode and Gregg Wallace returned with their tongues in hand to select the most promising of nine aspiring amateur cooks.
When the participants were told before their first challenge, which was to cook a family favourite food in a controlled atmosphere, they disclosed they would not be in the room when it was being made.
Instead, they’d be waiting to sample each dish in a separate dining area, with nothing to criticise but the cuisine in front of them.
‘You’ll have one hour and 20 minutes to cook your meal, and our MasterChef floor manager will be keeping you on schedule,’ John explained as the camera went across to the member of the staff in charge of the assignment.
As the chefs began to prepare, the show’s floor manager would appear to let them know how much time was left or when they needed to move away due to time constraints.
When it came to contestant Matthew’s Caribbean salt fish dish, he was informed, ‘Matthew, you’ve got five minutes until you need to serve up,’ to which Matthew answered, ‘Perfect. ‘Well, not perfect!’ he said as he rapidly finished his last touches.
Woi, the supermarket manager, was observed cutting things a bit tighter with his time when the floor manager gave him his five-minute warning, to which Woi answered, ‘Under control, don’t worry.’
He then later chivvied the contestant along, explaining: ‘Woi mate, you’ve got 30 seconds, we need to move please’ as Woi quickly plated up his deconstructed chicken curry dish.’
Many MasterChef watchers, particularly those who follow the celebrity or professional editions of the program, will be aware that the competitors being informed of their remaining time is an important component of the competition, as well as useful for them to promote faster decision-making.
It had previously been done by Gregg and John, as well as a disembodied voice, but handing the duty to a member of the show’s crew – who handled it with the exact significance necessary as a vital component of MasterChef – seemed to irritate some fans.
‘Who is the bossy timer?’ asked one audience member on Twitter, while another added: ‘Why do we need to see the guy telling them how much time is left? So unnecessary.’
‘Who’s that random man telling them times up??,’ wondered a third, despite Jon’s explanation at the top of the show.
Another fumed: ‘Why do they always d**k around with the format on this show….
Why do they always dick around with the format on this show…. The old pair should be in there looking at them cooking and who is this Mr Timer figure they’re introducing #Masterchef
— ludicrously capacious handbag (@very_foof) April 10, 2023
‘The old pair should be in there looking at them cooking and who is this Mr Timer figure they’re introducing.’
However, others were supportive of the change, with some labelling it a ‘relief’ as one pointed out it meant ‘far less faffing about by John and Greg and much more focus on the signature dish of the competitors’.
‘I suppose the timer guy makes it consistent and fair for all contestants,’ chimed in another.
‘Love how people were confused by the disembodied voice last year and are now confused by the embodied voice this year,’ joked a third.
Gregg and John themselves had previously performed the job, as well as an inanimate voice, but something about assigning it to a member of the cast who handled it with the significance necessary as a crucial component of MasterChef appeared to irritate some viewers.
MasterChef continues at 9pm on Tuesday on BBC One.
Source My Celebrity Life.