A former winner tells Yahoo Lifestyle about a confusing rule on the reality show.

MKR’s Manu Feildel / Michael.

MKR’s Manu Feildel clapped back at a contestant in Wednesday night’s episode. Photos: Channel 9

Manu Feildel has established quite a friendly persona in recent seasons of My Kitchen Rules, joking with his co-host Colin Fassnidge and staying out of the drama. However, tensions reached a boiling point in Wednesday night’s episode when the French chef called out one of this year’s contestants in front of the entire cast.

‘Meat Master’ Michael, who has repeatedly stirred the pot this season, accused his co-star Amy of breaking the rules because her social media states that she is a ‘private cook’. MKR contestants aren’t allowed to have any professional experience, with last year’s winner, Simone Prest, telling Yahoo Lifestyle that he was able to compete because he works “front of house” at his two Brisbane restaurants and is not a trained chef.

“So basically, you can own a food business as long as you don’t work as a chef in it. You’re not allowed to have a chef certificate or a cheffing diploma,” he shared.

While Amy asserted that she doesn’t have any professional qualifications and is a cook, not a chef, Michael persisted, pointing out that she had cooked for Chris Hemsworth and Lorna Jane.

Manu speaks out

Manu, who typically remains silent during squabbles at the dinner table, then interrupted Michael to clarify that the rule is “you shouldn’t have any professional qualifications”.

“You could be brought up with a mother who’s an amazing cook and taught you how to cook since you were five years old, or you could have a couple of years of experience in the kitchen, or you could have a family that owns a restaurant and you’ve been washing pots and pans since you were 12 years old,” he said.

“That’s why we have to draw that line about professionalism.”

Michael doubles down

Despite being called out by Manu, Michael continued to accuse his co-stars of breaking the rules. After Mark and Tan served Chicken Khao Soi as the main, he interrupted Manu’s mid-critique to question whether the dish is on the menu at Tan’s family restaurant, which it is.

Manu clearly had had enough, telling Michael: “Listen, you either accept the rules and you play with everyone, or you don’t accept the rules and goodbye.”

The table fell silent as Michael continued to argue, saying it was “completely unfair”, as Manu asserted that he was “not going to go back to this rule again”.

“You’re either a professional and you don’t belong here, or you are an amateur and you belong here. That is it. Done. Move on,” he said, later giving the dish a perfect 10.

MKR’s Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge.

Manu fired up at Michael and said he either had to accept the rules or leave the competition. Photo: Channel 7

Viewers divided over essential rule

Comments on social media were divided following Manu and Michael’s confrontation, with some viewers saying they “totally agree” with the judge.

“Good on you, Manu,” one person wrote, while another added, “Manu knows what he’s talking about”.

However, others thought that Michael “definitely has a point” and it’s “completely unfair” for the other home cooks in the competition.

“Michael definitely has a point, cooking a meal you learnt straight from a restaurant is not really fair in a home cooking show,” someone commented, while another replied, “Maybe Tan should’ve signed up for MasterChef instead”.

“The fact that a restaurant owner was selected for MKR is why I will never watch this season, a different user remarked. “You have missed the point again Channel 7, it was supposed to be home cooks.”