MasterChef fans are not thrilled with Season 11 casting

It would appear that MasterChef Legends, which was meant to be a celebration of the show and take it to another level, is having the opposite effect. Fans are thus far not that thrilled with much of the choices made in Season 11 and are not being shy about letting the world know.

As reported by Mashed, first came the revelations about how the contestants are treated and the fact their “look” for the season is chosen for them. Then it was revealed that all the dishes are served cold since they have to be filmed while they look fresh. But the biggest WTF reveal was that some contestants are offered cooking lessons for items they aren’t familiar with in order to make for better television.

Cooking lessons! For contestants on a show that is supposed to be celebrating the home cook. I mean, I know reality television isn’t real but that’s ridiculous and borderline dishonest to the viewers.

It’s no wonder I really feel that MasterChef has completely jumped the shark. And from what I can tell, so far Season 11 is doing everything to convince fans that I’m right.

MasterChef Legends has been a mess and the fans know it.

Season 11 started off on a sour note for me with three friggin hours of filler as the judges handed out white aprons. We weren’t even at the actual competition yet, just picking who got to take part. Then there was the appearance of Paula Deen, which according to Today divided many viewers with some wondering why the show would bring her on given what her reputation has become.

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Now according to Mashed, fans are taking to Reddit to wonder what was going through the mind of the judges when they took all that time to hand out white aprons. Because the disparity in skill level for some of the contestants is truly baffling.

You have some who are actual home cooks, making meals on a budget and feeding their families. The you have others who went to culinary school and still others who have worked extensively in restaurants.

How exactly is that a level playing field? How is it fair to ask a parent of three who only cooks in their cramped kitchen and learns from YouTube videos to compete against a single 23-year-old who lives with their parents, went to culinary school and has worked in a restaurant kitchen?

It’s no wonder fans are heading to social media to cry foul and taking MasterChef to task.

There needs to be some kind of baseline when it comes to who qualifies as a home cook and who is more a chef who cooks at home. Because there is a big difference, one that could greatly affect who wins and who gets sent home.

MasterChef used to be about true home cooks, their style and how they can create great things with few resources. Now it’s just a not very good imitation of Top Chef. The producers need to fix this next season or, to paraphrase Top Chef, they will be asked to pack up their white aprons and go home.

What do you think Guilty Eaters? Do you think the playing field on MasterChef has gotten completely out of whack? Leave a comment below and let us know or join the conversation on our Twitter and Facebook pages.