MasterChef star in tears after receiving harsh critique for serving 'hairy pork'

12 April 2023 , 09:10

806     0

Jonny left a little extra garnish on his pork that John didn't care for (Image: BBC)

MasterChef contestant Jonny was reduced to tears after receiving a brutal critique from the resident judges for serving up "hairy pork".

Jonny, 31, from County Durham, and the other hopefuls were tasked with a brief by top food critic William Sitwell – to pay tribute to Britain's most popular celebrity chefs.

Jonny, a tech product trainer, who has aspirations of one day opening a food truck, looked to Korean chef Roy Choi to influence his corn tacos filled with marinated pork belly and served with a kimchi salsa, onion and coriander salad.

Things started off well for him on MasterChef as judge John Torode, 57, told him he adored the flavours before brutally lambasting him for leaving hair on the skin.

John Torode shows the contestant the hair (BBC)

He said: "If you're going to keep the skin on, I don't want the hairs left on my pork."

Happy Valley's Clare's death 'confirmed' after tragic final exchange with sister

Co-host Gregg Wallace, 58, also commented: "You ran out of time because it does look like you've chucked it on at the end."

Hearing the criticism, Jonny began welling up before breaking down in tears.

Jonny had created pork belly corn tacos (BBC)

He said: "I am so disappointed in myself, so disappointed."

After tasting the other contestants' dishes, one of which contained apparently undercooked chicken, and another that Gregg and John proclaimed as the “best Ackee and saltfish” they’d ever had on the show, they came to their final decision on who would be leaving the show.

John was not impressed with the hairy pork (BBC)

Announcing that Jonny had to leave the competition following his oversight with the hairy pork, the rejected 31-year-old managed to stay upbeat.

Following his elimination he told the cameras: “It just wasn't meant to be, the dream doesn't die just because I haven't won this.

"It still affirms that some of the ideas I've got are good and there are plenty of good things to work from."

Jonny was left upset with the reaction to his pork (BBC)

Over eight weeks, judges John and Gregg will taste dishes made by the 45 hopefuls, who include a circus performer, a tree surgeon, an NHS Worker, a coffee shop owner, an engineer, a supermarket manager and a delivery driver.

Gregg and John previously dished out advice for budding chefs.

"Don’t pretend. Cook what you know and stay with what you know," Gregg shared.

BBC cancels Autumnwatch after Chris Packham steps down from TV work

John kept it practical and said: "Don’t drink too much coffee before you come through and eat something before you get there."

Masterchef UK continues on BBC One on Friday at 8.30pm.

Eve Wagstaff