The current week of Das perfekte Dinner in Bremen is stirring up significant controversy among viewers, primarily focused on contestant Nico Fundt, who is facing heavy criticism from fans and the broader audience.
Each week, Das perfekte Dinner showcases five amateur cooks who compete for the weekly prize of 3,000 euros by preparing delicious meals. This week, hosted by Philip, began with unfortunate incidents, including Philip becoming a victim of theft, setting the stage for heightened tensions among contestants and fans alike.
From the outset, viewers expressed discomfort with Nico, performing as the Malle Buddies' singer. His participation quickly transitioned from entertainment to disdain as fans began speculating whether his presence was merely part of a public relations campaign to boost his sake as a musician. Critiques of Nico bubbled up across social media, with many users lamenting, "You have rarely casted such an unpleasant person," and calling for the show to be canceled, urging the producers to reconsider their casting choices as the week progressed.
Many fans echoed sentiments of disappointment not just at Nico’s attitude but with the lack of basic decorum displayed by contestants as well; one commenter vented, "Everyone has no table manners." It is not just the dishes served but the way contestants carry themselves throughout the competition—a factor of major importance to the audience.
By the third day of the competition, the commentary surrounding Nico escalated, with consistent complaints about his overly judgmental and harsh critiques of fellow participants. Viewers were particularly angered when he rated his competitor Philip just three points during the initial episode, leading to uproar over his perceived unfairness. Comments such as, "It is really unfair for the other participants. He would have to be disqualified," flew across viewer forums. This critique intensified as he openly revealed he couldn't cook, prompting users to question his qualifications to critique others, with one arguing, "He said during the presentation he can't cook. Then he can't rate others either. I guess he wants to make himself known as a singer."
Nico's behavior continued to add fuel to the fire. His chosen menu offered tantalizing options like tomato variations on burrata, tagliatelle with salmon, and the traditional Mallorcan crema catalana. Yet, on the fourth day, he made the surprising decision to forego the intended dessert favoring instead baked apples flambéed with sugar and lemon zest, presenting this last-minute change as something "special" to compete with traditional recipes.
Nevertheless, his behavior on the final day after awarding zero points to contestant Zeynep's lamb dish was the final straw for many, as he dismissed the vegan offering completely, leading viewers to feel dismay at his judgment criteria. Responding to his fellow contestant's scoring of her meal, he remarked, "I stay with my decision. That got me zero points. The taste did not appeal to me; I have evaluated strictly throughout the week." The uproar from viewers was palpable with one fan decrying, "What this Nico is doing has left me speechless, his behavior and evaluations are absolutely the lowest of the low!"
With such tumultuous reception, discussions quickly turned to the future of Das perfekte Dinner, with one viewer poignantly stating, "Maybe it is time to cancel the show. If this is what we have to look forward to, it is certainly not enjoyable anymore." Another user suggested reducing the prize money to 500 euros and returning to the earlier, humble roots of the competition to regain viewer esteem—a sentiment echoed widely among disgruntled viewers.
While Das perfekte Dinner has withstood many controversies over the years, Nico's actions have surfaced much stronger viewer sentiment and demands for accountability, not just from contestants but from producers as well. It will be interesting to see how Vox responds to the significant backlash and what changes might be on the horizon for the popular cooking competition, which has been both loved and critiqued over the years. Could this week be the straw breaking its back? Only time will tell.