Manu Feildel admits last season of MKR 'didn't work as well as we thought' after they deliberately tried to strip out the drama from the show

My Kitchen Rules judge Manu Feildel has slammed the last season of the hit Channel Seven cooking competition after producers tried to ‘sweeten’ the show.

For most of its history, MKR was known for the infighting among the contestants, and no season would be complete without a handful of outrageous ‘villains’.

But Manu, 49, says the ‘make-over’ for last year’s reboot was not a success.

‘We used to have a lot of drama in the old way of doing MKR and last year, we tried to get rid of all the drama,’ the fan favourite said in an interview with Who magazine this week.

‘And that didn’t work as well as we thought,’ he continued.

For most of its history, MKR was known for the infighting among the contestants, and no season would be complete without a handful of outrageous ‘villains’. But Manu, 49, told Who magazine this week the ‘make-over’ for last year’s reboot was not a success Pictured: MKR contestants Kate and Mary (Queensland) and Janelle and Monzir (NSW) from 2022

Pictured: Manu and MKR guest judge Nigella Lawson

Speaking ahead of the season 13’s debut on Monday, Manu said fans this season can expect: ‘A lot of love, a little bit of drama and great food. Absolutely, better food this time around. 

‘And the hosts are amazing,’ he joked.

Manu will once again be joined in the kitchen by judge Colin Fassnidge, 49. Famed celebrity chef Nigella Lawson meanwhile, will return for a guest spot judging finals week.

Meanwhile, he took a moment to remember MKR judge Jock Zonfrillo, who died suddenly on April 30, after filming of the new series had begun.

Manu revealed that on learning the news he and Colin shared a toast in honour of Jock.

‘We were all so shocked at the time. There was a really special moment in our caravan at the end of the day when we poured ourselves a whisky for him,’ he said.

It comes after Manu shared a brutal opinion on this year’s cast members.

The celebrity chef didn’t hold back when he admitted that he would liked to have seen contestants with more experience in this year’s competition.

In 2023 Manu says fans can expect a ‘better mix’ of food, drama and ‘love’ in MKR

‘Without being an a**hole, I think we could’ve had some better cooks,’ he told the Daily Telegraph.

‘People have got to be more experienced – real foodies.’

MKR returned to Channel Seven in 2022 after a two year absence. Debuting to just 500,000 viewers, the show continued to shed fans in the metro centres.

Still, according to Total TV figures – which combines regional viewing numbers, catch-up TV and BVOD (broadcaster video on demand) – MKT averaged a whopping 900,000 fans an episode in 2022.

MKR returned to Channel Seven in 2022 after a two year absence. Debuting to just 500,000 viewers, the show continued to shed fans in the metro centres Pictured: MKR 2022 winners Janelle Halil and Monzir Hamdin