Viewers have erupted after Lol and Lil’s My Kitchen Rules cook-off drew criticism for inconsistent scoring and alleged store-bought shortcuts.

Monday night’s episode of My Kitchen Rules delivered one of the most divisive cook-offs of the season, as Lol and Lil from Logan took on their Ultimate Instant Restaurant — and walked away with a mixed bag of praise, criticism and online backlash.

The Queensland duo faced mounting backlash as MKR fans accused judges of bias following their controversial Ultimate Instant Restaurant. (image – Channel 7)

The pair’s night was billed as a “rollercoaster” of highs and lows, and that’s exactly how it played out. The friends’ total of 68 out of 100 left them clinging to a precarious leaderboard spot behind Justin and Will, who remain on top with 75 points.

Their ambitious menu promised strong flavours and bold ideas, but the execution didn’t always land. Despite the hiccups, the Queensland duo stayed determined to prove they belonged in the competition.

A feast of frustration

Lol and Lil’s three-course spread began with French Onion Soup and Fried Chicken Bao Buns, which were followed by Rotisserie Chicken Gyros with Pickled Red Onions and Tzatziki, and Beef Bulgogi Egg Net. Dessert was a Chai Poached Pear with Salted Caramel and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, alongside a Raspberry and Chocolate Tart with Raspberry Coulis.

The early promise of the entrées gave way to mounting tension as the mains hit the table. Both dishes drew criticism for uneven execution — and the night descended into a battle for redemption at dessert.

Strategy and scandal at the dinner table

Drama struck when Will confronted Maria and Bailey over their earlier scoring of Justin and Will’s restaurant.

“There were dishes that were 10s, you guys gave a six – it just seems suss,” Will said.

Bailey pushed back, saying “Nothing changed, we are super honest in the way we score.”

When Mark pressed the point about strategic scoring, Maria dropped a bombshell:

“Only for the last one.

Round two, we were on the bottom of the leaderboard and scared we were going to go home.

So just to be certain, we are going to make it to HQ, we scored a point less. It was either them or us, so you do whatever you can to go back to Kitchen HQ. Anyone would do it.”

Will wasn’t convinced.

“If something’s going to be the difference between someone going home and we lowball, we are not going to be able to sleep.”

The open scoring format, which allows teams to reveal their ratings in front of everyone, only heightened the tension as suspicions of “strategic scoring” simmered across the table.

Chaos in the kitchen

Behind the scenes, pressure mounted as the duo’s first batch of Bao Buns deflated, forcing them to start over. Concerns grew over whether their Rotisserie Chicken Gyros would satisfy Maria’s Greek expectations, while the Beef Bulgogi drew scrutiny for its lack of attention.

A cracked tart base added to the chaos, forcing Lil to make new pastry from scratch — though their Vanilla Bean Ice Cream earned praise from the judges.

MKR’s open scoring format intensified tensions as contestants accused each other of strategic voting to stay in the competition. (Stills Photography By Paul A. Broben)

Judges divided on flavour vs execution

The dishes drew wildly different scores from Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge.

The French Onion Soup split opinions: Manu scored it an 8, saying:

“Flavour tick, only thing they haven’t delivered is enough stock, apart from that, absolutely delicious.”

Colin was thrilled with the Bao Buns, handing over a 10, adding:

“I would pay for them in any restaurant.”

Things took a turn with the mains. Colin gave the Gyros a 5, calling it a “half-half chicken dish” that should have used thigh meat. Manu didn’t hold back on the Beef Bulgogi, describing it as “a sticky mess that’s not flavoursome,” and scoring it a 2. Mark piled on, calling it “one of the worst dishes I’ve had in the competition.”

Dessert brought the pair back from the brink. Manu awarded the Chai Poached Pear a 10, calling it “magical,” while Colin scored the Raspberry Tart a 7, suggesting it needed cream to balance the richness.

Final judges’ tally:

Manu Feildel: 8 + 2 + 10 = 20/30
Colin Fassnidge: 10 + 5 + 7 = 22/30
Total Judges Score: 42/60

The MKR teams awarded an additional 26/50, leading to the overall total of 68/100.

Viewers slam the scoring and suspect “store-bought” shortcuts

While the judges handed out 10s, many viewers were far less forgiving. Online reaction exploded after the episode aired, with fans accusing the show of bias and inconsistency.

Several fans claimed that giving a perfect 10 for the Bao Buns and high marks for the thick French Onion Soup didn’t match the judges’ critiques. Others mocked the soup’s texture, questioning how “a soup you could eat with a fork” could earn an eight.

The biggest talking point of the night was whether the pair made their Bao Buns from scratch. Many believed the buns were store-bought, calling it “a stupid move” for a competition at this level. Some insisted the judges overlooked it, describing the scoring as “rigged” and “unbelievable.”

Others also questioned Manu’s and Colin’s scoring consistency, with one viewer saying that “if this had been any other team, those scores would’ve been half that.”

However, after closer rewatching, some fans later admitted they may have been mistaken. Several pointed out that Lol and Lil were shown purchasing potato starch during their shop, suggesting they may have made the buns from scratch after all.

A night that split the fanbase

Whether the Logan friends’ scores were deserved or not, Monday’s MKR episode kept audiences glued to their screens — from the tense kitchen moments to the heated debate over “strategic scoring” and the ongoing “bao bun mystery.”

As Lol and Lil hang on to their place in the competition, it’s clear this episode will go down as one of the season’s most hotly contested dinner parties.