MasterChef Australia contestant Laura Sharrad has broken her silence about hygiene practices on the show, after fans voiced their concerns this season.
Each season, fans have discussions on social media platforms, to voice their frustrations with contestants, whether it be saying contestants should wear hair nets, or have spotted someone double-dipping.
When asked about the topic, the 2025 winner shed more light on what happens during each cook, and the moments that might not be shown on camera.
“They’re not going to show on screen in the one hour of the show that we’re washing our hands probably six or seven times during the cook,” she tells us. “Everyone’s always washing their hands.
“We have big buckets of tasting spoons. So, you taste something something once, you throw the spoon into the dish bay. You taste something again, it’s a fresh spoon.”
She explained that double-dipping rarely happens, and that the contestants are trained onsite, and the teams are present to make sure things don’t go awry.
When approached for a comment, an Endemol Shine spokesperson also exclusively told New Idea that “Hygiene, health and safety are paramount in the MasterChef Australia kitchen”.
“Contestants are briefed on protocols before they begin each cook and our Food Team provide reminders throughout,” they added.
During the competition, the contestants share benches, especially earlier in the season when there are more people cooking.
While they might send each other words of encouragement as they’re whipping up their own dishes, Laura explains that the contestants are not allowed to try elements from other contestants’ meals.
She found competing with Depinder Chhibber particularly difficult because all of her food smelled delicious.
“That’s a hard one not being able to taste each other’s food because some people cook amazing and you just wanna learn,” she shared.
