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'MasterChef: Back to Win': Rivals Emily and Shanika both get aprons, fans slam show for milking drama

Emily and Shanika's rivalry on the show is being dubbed as 'all about tv drama instead of the actual cooking'

'MasterChef' Season 12 is all about atonement, with All-Star contestants from the previous 11 seasons returning to see if they have learned from their mistakes. For the first time, 'MasterChef' is reintroducing some of the most memorable and skilled chefs from the show's history.

Only 20 of the 40 cooks who audition are chosen to wear the coveted white apron. The returning chefs fight in audition bouts in groups of four. The two chefs who prepare the most amazing comeback dish in each round will be placed in the Top 20. One of the most intriguing battles was most likely between the chefs from Season 9, specifically Emily Hallock and Shanika Patterson. During the previous season, the latter sent the former home when they head to head in an elimination task.

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Emily committed a mistake that landed her in 10th place at the end of Season 9. Instead of saving herself, she offered to compete in an elimination round with Shanika and succumbed. Ouch! Shanika could be seen giving Emily the side-eye, which makes viewers guess they both progress simply to keep this rivalry alive.

In the latest episode, Emily served Crab & Mascarpone Tortellini with Seasoned Crab Salad in a Lemon Beurre Blanc. Gordon Ramsay called it aesthetically appealing, and the spaghetti 'well manipulated'. Aarón Sánchez felt it was "elegant," while Joe Bastianich believed the meal was up to par with the finest of the greatest. Shanika, who came in last, served Strawberry Arancini with Honey Goat Cheese Filling and Strawberry Balsamic Reduction. Gordon did not find it palatable. Joe refers to it as a "curveball". He even asked Shanika if she thinks he liked it. Shanika crossed her fingers hoping he did. “This dish is incredible,” Joe told her. Aaron, however, believed it was too sweet. Gordon wasn't sure whether it's as excellent as Joe claimed, but it was a pleasant surprise. The judges debated and selected which two Season 9 home cooks will be given another chance: Shanika and Emily! So it seems that this war is far from done!

While Shanika and Emily are pleased with the judges' decision and don't mind competing against each other again, viewers suspected foul play on the show's side. Some believe the program purposefully brought those two in to milk more drama. Some fans took to Twitter and wrote: "What a crock, you knew before they started to cook that Emily & Shanika would through. All about tv drama instead of the actual cooking. Lindsay's dish looked miles ahead. What a shame or what a sham. Either way.#MasterChef"

Another fan cheekily suggested the network redo their title by changing it to: "@ChefShanika @EmilyTheEpicure @GordonRamsay @AaronSanchez @Jbastianich @MASTERCHEFonFOX "Shanika vs. Emily: This Time It's Personal" should be the subtitle of this season of #MasterChef."

According to one Twitter user, it was a no-brainer for the network to bring in the archrivals so that their "beef" would make for fantastic coverage: "Once they called Emily, I knew they would call Shanika cuz they really want this "beef" or whatever. I wanted Shanika and Lindsay though #MasterChef"

However, another fan claimed that the two deserved to make it through based on their dishes, but that they hope the show does not focus solely on their conflict throughout the season: "#MasterChef Emily and Shanika deserved to get through, but I don't want all the focus to be on them butting heads all season. It's gonna be a whole-ass top 20."

Another fan was quick to notice the look exchanged between Shanika and Emily and wrote: "Shanika eyeing Emily's being judged from behind with that judgemental auntie look on her face lool #masterchef"

'MasterChef: Back to Win' is now airing on Fox every Wednesday at 8 p.m.

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