“All the work and she only eats the mashed potatoes!” Masterchef viewers baffled by inclusion of vegetarian judge unable to taste contestants’ starters

Masterchef viewers have called for the inclusion of a vegetarian judge in Friday’s quarter-finals.

2022 contestant Radha Kaushal-Bolland returned to the BBC show with fellow finalists Pookie Tredell and champion Eddie Scott to give her verdict on the delicious dishes prepared by the four contestants.

However, when the trio tried their Goan fish curry seafood dish, Radha revealed that she could not eat the fish as she was vegetarian and proceeded to review the accompanying salad.

And while she did manage to give her thoughts on all the desserts and a variety of side dishes, fans were quick to express their confusion as to why she was invited to the show in the first place, given that she didn’t have most of the dishes. .

With some comments that it is not fair for contestants to “make every effort” not to have their food tasted by one of the guest judges.

Taste test: 2022 contestant Radha Kaushal-Bolland (R) returned to the BBC show with finalist Pookie Tredell (L) and champion Eddie Scott (centre) to give her verdict on the delicious dishes prepared by the four contestants

One viewer said on Twitter: “All the work and the vegetarian just eats the mashed potatoes.”

While a second commented: “Why would they invite a vegetarian to judge a meat dish? Would they invite someone with a peanut allergy to judge a nut roast?”

A third said: “As a pescetarian/vegetarian, even I have to ask, why do you have a vegetarian on the jury and not tell the contestants? Judge a salad and not the main course?”

‘Ah. If one of the judges is a vegetarian, why don’t the contestants cook vegetarian food to allow for fair judging?’ came the reply from a fourth spectator.

‘Hello how. The BBC strikes again. A vegetarian judge on the panel gives her expert analysis (sometimes when appropriate) of side salads, wow!! but not the fish or meat dishes, which the participants try to get as best as possible. Explain this philosophy!!’ said a fifth.

A sixth viewer wondered: “I don’t understand why she’s back. I know she was in the finals last year, but because she’s a vegetarian, she won’t eat anything the contestant brings.”

Another agreed: “Ok at least be a master chef judge but don’t say you’re vegetarian and then refuse to try any of the food BCS THEN YOU CAN’T JUDGE IT.”

After her fellow judges gave their verdict on the fish curry, Radha explained: “I didn’t eat the fish as a vegetarian, but the salad is brilliant!

Uh oh: But when the trio wanted to try their Goan fish curry dish, Radha revealed that she couldn’t eat the fish because she was a vegetarian and proceeded to review the accompanying salad.

Thoughts: Pookie and Eddie were able to share their thoughts on the fish curry and other dishes such as steamed fish, chicken ballotine and squid

Yummy: After her fellow judges gave their verdict on the fish curry, Radha declared: “I didn’t eat the fish as a vegetarian, but the salad is brilliant!”

Spoken: Fans were quick to comment on why she was invited to the show in the first place as she couldn’t taste most of the dishes

“The sauce is so spicy, it has the coolness of the lettuce. I really like Vanessa’s dish, it’s wonderful.”

Radha, who now works as a private chef, also missed other dishes including steamed fish, chicken ballotine and squid.

At the end of the show, head judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace voted to send Matthew home, meaning Vanessa, Terri and Nickolas made it through to the next round.

Masterchef continues on Tuesday at 9pm on BBC One.