Fans of Seven's My Kitchen Rules criticised a lapse in food‑safety practice after a mother and daughter team were shown preparing a meal with their hair down and without gloves in Tuesday’s episode.
Viewers raised concerns on a My Kitchen Rules Facebook thread after Anne and Maree were seen preparing a “Greek Classic” — chicken and lamb souvlakia with pita and tzatziki — while not wearing hair restraints and plating food without gloves. “Both ladies should tie their hair up, too risky,” one user wrote. “Basic hygiene when you're cooking for guests,” another added, while a third asked, “Can't understand why their hair is not tied up!”
The criticism followed similar viewer complaints earlier in the week about other contestants. Fans said Justin and Will were also at fault for wearing rings while kneading dough and handling food in Monday’s episode. One commenter on the same thread questioned the absence of tongs when serving salad.
Daily Mail reported that Channel Seven was contacted for comment. Former contestant Maddie Deveraux, who spoke to Yahoo Lifestyle about hygiene standards on the show, said contestants are granted leeway when cooking in their own homes but that rules change once cooking shifts to the program’s Kitchen HQ. “From that point on, hair must always be tied up for hygiene reasons,” she told the publication.
Contestant practices and staff oversight on reality cooking shows have drawn intermittent attention from viewers and former participants. The most recent wave of criticism for My Kitchen Rules comes amid broader debate about conditions for participants: Daily Mail also reported that chef Colin Fassnidge earned $40,000 for his stint on the series in 2013, a figure that attracted comment when compared with contemporary pay reports from contestants. An unnamed participant from the 2024 season told Daily Mail Australia that contestants were being paid about $1,100 per week, only slightly above the then‑current Australian minimum wage, and that appearing on the show could represent a financial sacrifice for some entrants.
Producers of televised cooking competitions set and enforce hygiene and safety protocols that vary by production and location. On My Kitchen Rules, viewers and past contestants have noted a mix of theatrical elements, personal presentation and food preparation rules, with enforcement sometimes depending on whether cooking takes place in contestants’ homes or in studio kitchens.
The social media reaction underscored fan expectations for visible hygiene standards on food‑focused programming, particularly when contestants are preparing dishes for guest judges and viewers. Channel Seven has previously faced viewer scrutiny over various production choices on My Kitchen Rules, from casting and scoring to on‑screen conduct. Daily Mail reported that a request for comment was sent to Channel Seven in relation to the latest episode.
The network did not immediately publish a response. The episode and the ensuing online discussion add to continuing conversation about production practices, participant compensation and on‑air standards on Australian reality cooking television.