She elaborated on her personal philosophy regarding food: "Food and cooking to me is a love language. I think it's a great way to connect.
It's something that can feel sentimental and meaningful, and it's how I show my nurturing and love for my friends, family, and my kids."
Contestant Petro, whose celeriac dessert earned immunity and a spot in the final round, recalled his shock upon learning of Markle's guest role: "It was hard to wrap my head around the fact that Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, was in the kitchen, let alone having to cook for her!"
Petro described the atmosphere as "theatrical and electric," adding, "The place lit up."
Fellow competitor Aaron said, "I think my face said it all, I couldn't believe Meghan was coming into the MasterChef kitchen."
Aaron noted that the contestants lost their composure when she walked through the doors: "There was definitely a bit of blushing, and I don't think any of us managed to string a proper sentence together for the first few minutes!"
Audience feedback across social media shifted following the broadcast, with several former critics citing personalized warnings Markle gave contestants during the 30-minute mark as a key highlight.
