Fans questioned whether blind judging could have changed the MasterChef Grand Finale result. But runner-up Petro Papathomas has now offered a very different perspective — defending the format despite missing out on the $250,000 prize.
MasterChef Runner-Up Petro Responds to “Unfair” Finale Claims — and Says One Major Change Wouldn’t Have Altered the Result
The MasterChef Australia 2026 Grand Finale may be over, but discussion surrounding the way the winner was decided has continued among viewers.
While many fans celebrated Vinnie’s victory, others questioned whether the final challenge should have been judged differently, with calls growing online for the return of blind tasting.
Now runner-up Petro Papathomas has addressed the debate — and he appears far less concerned about the judging format than some viewers.
Fans call for blind judging in the finale
Following the Grand Finale, a number of viewers argued that judges should not know which contestant prepared each dish.
One fan suggested:
“They should do blind tasting in all parts of the final and should not be in the room during the cook.”
Another viewer questioned whether such a change would ever happen, suggesting producers may be reluctant to give up control over how the competition unfolds.
Blind judging had already been a talking point throughout the season and returned during an immunity challenge in Nostalgia Week, making its absence from the finale particularly noticeable to some fans.
Some viewers wanted different judges altogether
For others, blind tasting alone would not have gone far enough.
One fan proposed replacing regular judges Poh, Sofia and Andy for the final $250,000 decision with three internationally recognised guest chefs who had no involvement in watching the contestants prepare their dishes.
The idea attracted support from some viewers who believed independent guest judges could provide a more impartial assessment.
Others strongly disagreed.
One long-time fan argued that the existing judging panel remains part of what makes MasterChef work, particularly because the judges understand the pressure contestants experience throughout the competition.
Another viewer summed up the result more simply:
“It would have made no difference last night. It was just Vinnie’s night.”
Petro defends the finale format
Despite the post-finale criticism, Petro has defended the competition’s judging format and the ability of the judges.
Speaking to WHO after finishing runner-up, Petro pushed back against the suggestion that introducing blind judging would necessarily have produced a different outcome.
His position adds an interesting perspective to the debate: the contestant who ultimately missed out on the $250,000 prize does not appear to believe the judging system denied him the title.
And while fans may continue debating whether future MasterChef finales should adopt blind tasting or independent guest judges, Petro’s response suggests that, as far as this year’s result is concerned, he sees little reason to believe it would have changed the ending.
