MasterChef viewers in tears as contestant tipped to win gets eliminated: ‘Horrible decision’

Dot McHugh was sent packing on Wednesday’s elimination episode, and people are not happy about it.

MasterChef viewers were devastated after a fan-favourite was sent home during the final cook of Aussie Classics Week.

MasterChef viewers are truly devastated after a contestant everyone thought would go far in the competition was sent packing.

It was a big episode for the Channel 10 cooking show as Robert Irwin was brought in as the guest judge to end Aussie Classics Week.

He challenged the contestants to make a dish featuring native ingredients such as lilly pilly, finger limes, Davidson plums (also known as ooray), lemon myrtle, wattleseed and river mint.

Robert warned the contestants not to overdo some of the ingredients, as they can be potent.

Who was eliminated on MasterChef?

Dot McHugh made river mint doughnuts with an ooray jam, which Robert expressed excitement for during their creation.

Judge Andy Allen said while the ooray was tasty, the river mint was “so out of balance”.

“And that really worries me,” he said.

“Because on a day where we wanted you to feature the native Australian ingredient – and we warned you about the pitfalls you can have when it’s too much – this is a classic example of being heavy-handed with one of those native Australian ingredients.

“And it’s created a dish that could well send you home.”

Poh Ling Yeow said the dish was beautifully made, but called it “uncharacteristic” for Dot to produce something out of balance.

Ultimately, the dish caused her to be sent home.

Viewers stunned over shock elimination

Viewers and fellow contestants were not happy with the call.

“I’m really shocked. I thought Dot was gonna win the whole thing. And no chance of coming back as well. Brutal,” one said.

“I honestly care less about this season now, this was a horrible judging decision from what it looked like to me,” another added.

One said they would “never emotionally recover”, and another said they “cried” over the decision.

“I know it was a rough cook from her, but my god, sometimes I wish MasterChef would go the RuPaul route and just kick off the person who’s been underperforming consistently. I am gobsmacked she wasn’t top 10 at least,” another said.

“I don’t think I want to watch anymore without Dot. All my other favourites are gone,” one viewer said.

Contestants were also shocked, taking to social media to express their feelings.

“Cannot believe you have been eliminated so early, we all had you in our top three. Will miss you so much,” Pat McGarry, who won the Coles challenge, said.

Annabel Lloyd added that it was “insanity” for her to go “so early”

“You are endgame material, my gal. We will miss you so much,” she added.

“Dot, you are incredible and such an amazing cook! You’re so full of energy and humour, and you made every moment so much more fun. We’re going to miss you so much, and I can’t wait to see where you go from here! All the best, Dot,” Aaron Kher said.