When a cook dissected a crab live on TV, MasterChef UK fans recoiled in terror.
Terri, Chariya, Anurag, and Omar were fighting tooth and nail for a position in the final on Wednesday’s last show when the ‘barbaric’ scene occurred.
Judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace challenged the four exceptional chefs with cooking a special lunch for a small group of legendary chefs, including Tom Kitchin and Jonny Lake, at Clare Smyth’s three-Michelin-starred Core.
In order to wow the top chefs, Anurag prepared a variety of crab dishes, including a fresh crab salad with sabayon.
Anurag said he was cooking crab for the first time in his life as he twisted and ‘pulled’ the crustacean’s legs and claws off before placing it in the oven to steam.
However, some BBC viewers were not pleased, with one observing that the crab was ‘clearly moving’ before being grilled, dubbing it ‘barbaric.’
Another shocked viewer commented: ‘D-did they just rip a crab alive?? disgusting #masterchef,’ while a third added: ‘#MasterChef @BBC did I really just see one of the chefs rip the claws and legs off a live crab? Please tell me I’m wrong..’
A particularly irritated audience member stated that they had protested to the Line of Duty broadcaster about the incident citing ‘animal cruelty’.
The crab in the metal tray is definitely moving! #barbaric @BBCOne @MasterChefUK #masterchef pic.twitter.com/3xlEpohhWE
— Ihatetwitt-er (@er_ihatetwitt) June 1, 2023
Watching #MasterChef on iPlayer, looked very much like a crab was still moving when a contestant ripped its claws and legs off.
Have complained to @BBCOne , don't expect to see animal cruelty on prime time TV.
— Phil (@thedicemechanic) May 31, 2023
#MasterChef @BBC did I really just see one of the chefs rip the claws and legs off a live crab? Please tell me I’m wrong..
— Amanda bell (@amandabell1964) May 31, 2023
I rewound it a couple of times and I’m certain they ripped the legs off a live crab! @bbc #masterchef https://t.co/116IyCYHIt
— Ihatetwitt-er (@er_ihatetwitt) May 31, 2023
d-did they just rip a crab alive?? disgusting #masterchef
— 𓍊𓋼trash 𓋼𓍊 (@Trashmacaron) May 31, 2023
Despite offending some fans, Anurag advanced to the final, while Terri exited the competition after failing to impress with her steak and chips.
Terri said she was ‘gutted’ to be returning home, but she was optimistic.
‘Without this competition, I wouldn’t have reached the level of cook I am now for years to come. It pushes you to be the best.’
She added: ‘I’m really proud of myself.’
MasterChef airs tonight at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
Source My Celebrity Life.