When celebrity culinary competitions air on primetime television, audiences expect a blend of high-pressure cooking, impressive plating, and strict adherence to fundamental kitchen protocols. However, during a recent broadcast of ITV’s popular series Cooking with the Stars, sharp-eyed viewers found themselves distracted from the dishes on screen by an undeniable lapse in basic food hygiene.

The episode challenged celebrity contestants Zara McDermott and Scarlett Moffatt to whip up a budget-friendly meal within a tight 50-minute deadline, with a strict cost restriction of no more than £3 per serving.

While both stars threw themselves into their culinary tasks with enthusiasm, their choice of hairstyle quickly overshadowed their cooking techniques, sparking a wave of criticism across social media.

The £3 Budget Challenge: Ramen vs. Flatbreads

Determined to impress the judging panel, Zara McDermott aimed high by crafting a gorgeous bowl of ramen featuring custom hand-pulled egg noodles.

Simultaneously, Scarlett Moffatt stepped well outside her comfort zone—moving past her usual basic seasoning of salt and pepper—to bake homemade flatbreads and season chicken for her budget-friendly entry.

Joining them in the kitchen was Happy Mondays legend Bez, who visibly struggled with his own aubergine curry assignment. The watching professional chefs expressed concern from the sidelines as Bez repeatedly made basic errors, including burning his onions and failing to rinse the starch from his rice.

The Hygiene Rule That Left Viewers Disgusted

Despite the impressive efforts put into preparing food for nine taste testers, fans tuning in at home could not look past a glaring hygiene oversight: neither contestant properly secured her hair away from the food prep areas.

Scarlett wore her long hair entirely down while kneading dough and handling ingredients, while Zara tied her hair back in a loose pony that still dangled dangerously close to her dishes.

Frustrated fans immediately turned to X (formerly Twitter) to call out the production team and the stars for ignoring standard kitchen safety practices.

“Why do contestants not have their hair tied back… Scarlett Moffatt’s hair all over the place while making bread,” one viewer pointed out.

Another added: “I love Cooking With The Stars but my lord Zara & Scarlett need to tie their hair back properly in a bun.”

A third fan quipped: “These celebrities have clearly forgot what they learnt when they did their ‘Basic Food Hygiene’ certificate at Secondary School.”

The Cook-Off Verdict and Elimination

Despite the social media backlash regarding kitchen etiquette, the judges praised the flavors of all three dishes upon tasting.

Zara’s handmade ramen ultimately secured the top spot, earning her a victory in the budget challenge and advancing her directly to the next round of the competition.

That left Scarlett and Bez facing off in a high-stakes elimination cook-off. After another intense round of cooking, Bez was officially eliminated and sent home, leaving Zara and Scarlett to cook another day.

Source: Compiled from various sources