How coronavirus panic buying ruined MasterChef: Judge Melissa Leong reveals why one of Australia’s favourite foods was left out of ‘pimp my noodle’ challenge
It’s a common staple in shopping trolleys around Australia each week.
And fans were left outraged when Indomie Mi Goreng noodles were left out of MasterChef’s ‘pimp my noodle’ challenge on Thursday, and Maggi 2 Minutes Noodles were used instead.
Shortly after the episode aired judge Melissa Leong explained that the episode was filmed at the start of the coronavirus pandemic when shoppers flooded supermarkets and stripped shelves bare of essential goods.
‘Y’all bulk bought them out of circulation’: MasterChef judge Melissa Leong (pictured) was forced to explain how panic buying nearly ruined the ‘pimp my noodle’ challenge on Thursday’s episode after viewers complained that Mi Goreng wasn’t included
‘Before anyone asks, there are no IndoMie Mi Goreng noodles on the table because: a) it was the very early stages of COVID and y’all bulk bought them out of circulation,’ she wrote on Twitter.
She added: ‘We needed to challenge these talented contestants a little further than the OG’.
Following her explanation, sheepish viewers admitted that they had contributed to the crisis.
Sorry! Following her explanation, sheepish viewers admitted that they had contributed to the crisis
‘Considering I still have 18 packets of them in my cupboard… It’s my fault,’ one admitted.
Another added: ‘I have seven packets and two rolls of toilet paper. I know where my priorities lie’.
‘Haha, I ate four packets this morning,’ confessed one.
That’s different! Thursdays’ episode of the hit Channel 10 cooking show swept aside it’s usual array of elaborate and complicated dishes to make way for whipping up meals using instant noodles (Pictured are judges Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo)
Thursdays’ episode of the hit Channel 10 cooking show swept aside it’s usual array of elaborate and complicated dishes to make way for whipping up meals using instant noodles.
Contestants were given 15 minutes to ‘pimp’ up their chosen packet noodle.
Despite the humble ingredients, fan favourite Poh Ling Yeow still managed to pull an impressive gourmet lobster infused meal out of her hat.
Yum! Contestants were given 15 minutes to ‘pimp’ up their chosen packet noodle
Fellow contestant Jess Liemantara was the big winner on the night, amazing judges with her spicy pork and noodle soup.
‘In 15 minutes you have managed to get an amazing amount of layered flavouring in that bowl mouth,’ judge Jock Zonfrillo praise her.
‘My mouth is tingling,’ he added.
MasterChef: Back to Win continues on Sunday at 7.30pm on Channel 10
‘In 15 minutes you have managed to get an amazing amount of layered flavouring in that bowl. My mouth is tingling’: Jess Liemantara’s spicy soup was the big winner on the night, earning high praise from judge Jock