Yahoo Lifestyle 
The real story behind the MasterChef 'cheating' controversy
MasterChef judge Matt Preston was scolded by viewers on social media for taking a sneaky taste of a contestant’s dish on Sunday night’s show.
Viewers accused the judge of “cheating” after he chowed down on Jess Liemantara’s Indonesian fried sandwich well before judging took place.
However, it seems Matt may not have not broken the rules, as one former contestant has revealed the truth behind the incident.
Hayden Quinn, a contestant from season three of the show, admitted the judges actually do taste dishes before the judging session because they get cold by the time they film the official tasting.
“It’s a huge process to go from uncooked produce, to cooked produce, to then be tasted,” he explained on the PopSugar Podcast.
“If you’re tasting 24 dishes, they’ve got to cool it, get it in the fridge and store it and then they have to shoot it,” Hayden continued. “It’s cold food basically.”
The 32-year-old confirmed the judges walk around tasting the dishes whilst they’re hot.
“And then you have three food techs, plus two chefs that work in the production team… plus everyone in the control room,” he added. “A lot of eyes on food and then the tasting.”
Hayden insisted the judges have an idea of what the dish is going to taste like “before it gets to” the final tasting.
Well, there’s that rumour put to rest.
Matt Preston was not cheating everyone. He was simply enjoying a sneaky taste that went to air.
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