There are two people that MasterChef fans are pretty certain could take home the prize this year.

Andre, Callum, Depinder and Laura on MasterChef

While many MasterChef fans think Laura Sharrad will win this year’s season, another person is also in contention. Photo: Ten

While many MasterChef fans have shared that they believe Laura Sharrad will win this year’s season, there’s another person viewers believe could take home first place, based on how the episodes are panning out. Taking to Reddit, a fan wrote, “It feels like one particular contestant is getting the winner’s edit. It’s Depinder [Chhibber].”

They added, “They’re giving her all the sappy music and over-the-top compliments that Emelia [Jackson] was getting in S12. And they are talking about her like she has only just found her stride, even though she has been doing good all season.

“I wonder if she will actually win it… would be cool if she does. She is definitely one of the best contestants to appear on the show… We’ll have to see how it goes.”

They finished by saying, “If she doesn’t win, the edit at the very least means she will go super far. That bodes well because I was worried she would get flustered and bomb out after hitting Top 10 like she did last time.”

Depinder and Andy Allen on MasterChef

Fans are hoping Depinder takes out the crown this year, with some saying she’s getting the winner’s edit. Photo: Ten
Other fans agreed, with one person responding, “I felt the same yesterday when Andy said that she’s starting to get comfortable in her skin, when she has been doing good from day one.”

Another wrote, “They are giving Callum and Alana a sentimental edit too. A Depinder-Callum finale would be sooooo good.”

“I just hope she does win or at least makes it to the finals week, but the thing with these kinda edits is a bit tricky to me,” a third said. “It can also mean that the contestant will be eliminated soon, so they’re showing them too much, or they’ll have a shocking elimination in future… the latter is what exactly happened with her last time.”

Callum and Depinder on MasterChef

Some viewers are hopeful that it will be Callum and Depinder in the final two. Photo: Ten
“I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again, I think Depinder is very much an intuitive cook. Or as Uncle Roger would say, she cooks with feeling,” someone else wrote. “She’s also proven herself to be quite innovative as well, and while she might not have the refinement of some of the more seasoned contestants, she seems to hit the brief at a high level each time.”

Others didn’t agree, with one viewer saying, “It’s still too soon to say this. And I do not think she got a winner’s edit. They always do it to feature the winner of the challenges. That being said, Depinder is killing it so far.”

Many fans have shared that they believe Laura may win because there’s been “so much focus” on her this season.

One viewer asked on Reddit, “Just a curious question, I’ve only been watching [MasterChef Australia] from when Diana won, and I don’t really have much context of the previous seasons, but every episode, she has a considerably longer screen time than almost anyone else.”

One person suggested the reason was that producers are “desperate for her to finally win”.

Laura Sharrad on MasterChef

Many fans think Laura is either being set up to become a judge on the show, or the winner of this year’s season. Photo: Ten
“It’s pretty clear they’re setting her up as the winner,” someone else agreed. “Third time lucky and all that.”

While many people expressed their appreciation for Laura and her obvious culinary talents, others couldn’t help but express frustration that the edit was so heavily focused on her.

“I understand she’s a good chef and one of the oldies, she grew up on the show etc etc but skipping entire dishes made by others just to talk about her dish for so long is kind of frustrating,” one viewer wrote.”

“Some days, there are interesting dishes like Depinder’s or Alana’s and I really wish we could see at least a few steps of it,” another comment reads. “I hope the production reads our thoughts and gets it corrected. I would love to see everyone even if it is for half a minute. Like the relay showed everyone and it was a great episode.”

However, others defended Laura, with one fan saying, “I think she’s charismatic, a great narrator and very versatile chef. I don’t think she only cooks pasta like people often complain here, even if that’s her specialty. She has always gotten a lot of hate.

“Unfortunately, a young woman who is confident, happy, and witty equals smug for a lot of people.”