The pair scored strategically for an Instant Restaurant round.

Chaos exploded at the My Kitchen Rules’ (MKR) dinner table when Mark goaded Maria and Bailey into admitting they had scored strategically during an earlier Instant Restaurant. The pair scored Amy and Lara lower than usual so they could secure their place in the competition, but in an interview with Chattr, Maria and Bailey say they didn’t “cheat”.

“I think in order for it to be cheating, there has to be some rules, there aren’t [any] rules [about strategic scoring]. So I don’t think you’d call it cheating,” Bailey tells us.

“But I’m sure you know, and everybody else who watches the show, we were the ones that admitted it. Everyone else does it, they just pretend that they don’t.”

Contestant scores haven’t been consistent across the board, and Bailey suggests that the outrage at the dinner table could have been a diversion tactic by the other cooks in the competition.

“[It could be] everybody [put the] blame [on us], and redirect the attention. But everyone is doing it. And then we saw Mark score higher foamr some people to make sure that others, AKA Michael and Rielli, were out of the competition,” he adds. “It goes both ways. You can overscore someone, and that’s still strategic.”

Maria agrees with Bailey, and says she doesn’t regret admitting to scoring strategically for one Instant Restaurant round.

“We have done it, but it never actually cost anyone’s place in the competition. But there are some other things that [other competitors] actually underscore or overscore that [and] their decision of doing that [has] caused someone to be eliminated,” Maria claims.
Maria and Bailey during an Instant Restaurant. Image: Seven

Maria and Bailey reveal how they deal with MKR hate

Maria and Bailey are a polarising pair on MKR 2025. Unlike lovable Marko and Danielle, they’ve been at the centre of a few arguments around the dinner table. Some fans have turned on them, and there are a few nasty comments that have been thrown their way.

However, Bailey tells Chattr he can sometimes see it in a positive light. “It sounds funny, but it’s great to see that people are so interested in the show, and they feel like they’re a part of it,” Bailey explains.

“It’s nice that people are so invested and they try to protect other teams on the show, because they think we’re really mean towards them, when it’s not really the case. We’re just honest.”

He does admit that the hate does “suck a little bit” at times, and he isn’t interested in engaging with their critics.

“I think everyone’s entitled to their own opinion and you can share it however you see fit. And it’s up to me to decide, if… Maria and I want to take it on board,” Bailey adds.

While some fans may not have expected Maria and Bailey to make it this far, they’re competing in the semi-final against Lol and Lil for a place in the grand finale. Could they take out the grand prize? Only time will tell.