MasterChef Australia winner Laura Sharrad reveals the 'cruel' way she learned of her victory - and you didn't see it on TV

Daily Mail​

a day ago

MasterChef Australia: Back To Win concluded in a thrilling grand finale on Tuesday night.
But winner Laura Sharrad, who beat Callum Hann, found out how she had won in what many viewers have called a 'cruel' process.
The show depicted the chef finding out the good news on camera, but in reality, she was told quietly by producers.
What's more, both Laura and Callum had to film scenes where they gave a winning speech - and a losing one - to keep the outcome secret.
'It's funny because the first time I did this [MasterChef] there were two endings, so I kind of knew what was going to happen,' Sharrad told news.com.au on Wednesday.
'It's like, "One of you will go first, one of you wins first, you do a winning speech, and then the confetti gets picked up, we reload the confetti gun, and then you do round two,"' she continued.
'And then you obviously do a losing speech as well. So a bit of acting is required. My acting skills aren't great. We're cooks, we'll never make it as actors. Let's be real.
'It's a very, very weird thing, but I think it's the best thing to do to protect the show and nothing leaking.'
Instead of learning the result with all the fanfare viewers see on TV, Laura was told the result in a 'very casual conversation' with Callum and a few producers in the room.
Many fans watching at home were less than impressed with the result - with scores of furious viewers taking to social media to slam the result as 'biased' and 'rigged'.
Several viewers have also complained of being blocked by the official MasterChef Australia page on X after sharing their anger over Callum's victory.
'My disappointment levels with this season of MasterChef are beyond rigged from the start. Callum is the most creative and talented chef and was extremely ripped off,' wrote one raging commentator.
'Callum the people's champion,' another said, while one more wrote, 'Hopefully next season will be no more biased judging.'
'Obviously scripted - Callum was the best,' someone else said, with another commenting, 'Callum ROBBED.'
Instead of learning the result with all the fanfare viewers see on TV, Laura learned the result in a 'very casual conversation' with Callum (pictured) and a few producers in the room
A handful of viewers complained that they were 'censored' for trying to share their views on MasterChef Australia's X page.
'Did you get blocked by #masterchefau after tonight's episode?' asked one person, attaching a poll that showed 37 per cent of the 29 respondents taking part had been blocked as of Tuesday night.
'Lollll they blocked me too hahahahhahaha,' wrote someone else.
'Wow, blocked by @masterchefau because of a comment about the final result. A sentiment shared by many. Trying to hide from the negative backlash,' one fan said.
When approached for comment by Daily Mail, an ESA spokesperson said: 'MasterChef Australia is dedicated to creating a safe and respectful space on social media that protects the well-being of contestants.
'Users are welcome to share their opinions, but comments that include bullying, defamatory language, and personal attacks will not be tolerated.'
Laura went up against Callum in a nail-biting final episode that saw two of the show's most beloved contestants duke it out over two courses.
By the end of the episode, Laura emerged as the winner, and walked away with a $250,000 cash prize and the title of MasterChef.