While MasterChef UK presenters Gregg Wallace and John Torode seemed impressed by his Szechuan steak tartare, viewers were far from happy.
The four remaining cooks had just one more challenge standing between them and a quarter-final place and had to cook two courses that would excite John and Gregg along with 2016’s MasterChef finalists Jack Layer and Billy Wright and 2016 MasterChef champion Jane Devonshire.
After the four hopefuls cooked, John and Gregg decided that Simon was one of the three contestants who deserved to take the next step in the competition and go through to Friday’s quarter-final.
Serving his steak tartare, Simon said: “So we’ve got a Szechaun steak tartare with a pickled cucumber, smoked egg yolk and sesame cracker.”
Fans of the show instantly took to social media following the broadcast.
One viewer complained: “Just raw everything basically #MasterChefUK.”
“That food with the egg on top looks disgusting. With her raw starter I doubt she’s through… #MasterChefUK #MasterChef,” posted another.
A third added: “Raw meat, with salt and pepper! When you say it like that, it’s not very impressive #MasterChefUK.”
“Mmmmm. .. raw meat…. Raw egg…. Lovely….. NOT!!! #masterchefuk,” said another.
A fifth wrote: “No raw meat and eggs for me thanks #MasterChefUK.”
“Simon has served raw mince and raw eggs #MasterChefUK,” noted another.
It’s not the first time raw food has been served on the show and viewers pointed out that the programme seems to let through some raw food without saying a word, while complaining about others.
One viewer tweeted: “They moaned about Rebecca’s undercooked salmon & he serves raw steak & they like it ……… make your mind up #MasterchefUK.”
“Quote of the night for me @JohnTorode1 ‘You can’t serve raw duck can you? There’s rare and then there’s quacking’ #MasterChefUK,” posted another.
MasterChef UK continues next Monday on BBC One at 9pm.
