America’s Culinary Cup contestant Chris Morgan has finally addressed the backlash surrounding one of the most controversial decisions of the season — his choice to take cooking time away from Buddha Lo and Matt Peters during the intense semifinal challenge.

The shocking moment happened in the “Bittersweet Semifinals” episode, where the remaining four chefs battled for a place in the finale. After winning the previous challenge, Chris earned a major advantage: an extra 30 minutes of cooking time. However, there was a catch. He could only gain those minutes by taking time away from his competitors.

Chris had two options — remove all 30 minutes from one chef or split the penalty between two chefs. In the end, he decided to take 15 minutes each from Buddha and Matt, while leaving Cara Stadler untouched.

The decision immediately sparked controversy online, especially because Buddha was widely viewed as one of the strongest contenders to win the entire competition. Many fans accused Chris of strategically targeting the chefs he considered the biggest threats heading into the finale.

Following the episode’s broadcast, Chris finally explained the reasoning behind his choice during a post-show interview.

“My mother would slap me if I took time away from Cara,” Chris said, referring to the fact that Cara is currently in her second trimester of pregnancy.

According to Chris, the move was “completely personal” rather than strategic. He insisted that he did not make the decision based on gameplay or fear of stronger competition, but instead out of respect and consideration for Cara’s situation.

Still, the explanation has done little to calm the heated reactions from viewers.

Across social media, fans continued debating whether the decision was truly emotional or secretly tactical. Many pointed out that by taking time from both Buddha and Matt — two chefs known for excelling under pressure — Chris may have significantly shifted the balance of the semifinal round.

Some viewers even described the move as “cruel,” arguing that stealing valuable cooking time right before the finale felt especially ruthless in a competition where every minute matters.

Others defended Chris, saying the advantage was part of the game and that he simply used the power he earned fairly.

The controversy only grew larger after the semifinal results were revealed. Matt finished in first place with 105 points, followed by Cara with 98. Chris scored 88 points, while Buddha shockingly landed at the bottom with just 77 points, forcing him into the elimination cook-off against Chris.

In the final showdown, both chefs were tasked with creating a dish featuring umami along with a second flavor profile of their choice. Despite being considered one of the favorites to win the season, Buddha ultimately lost the challenge and was sent home in what many fans are now calling the biggest upset of the season.

The elimination quickly became one of the most talked-about moments in the show’s history, with viewers questioning whether the semifinal advantage played too large a role in determining the outcome.

Buddha himself later admitted that he was disappointed by the result.

“Of course, I’m bummed out. Of course, I want to make it to the finale,” he said after the episode aired.

Meanwhile, Chris’ explanation continues dividing the fanbase. Some believe his reasoning was genuine and compassionate, while others remain convinced that the decision was a calculated move disguised as kindness.

Either way, the dramatic semifinal has transformed Chris into one of the most polarizing figures of America’s Culinary Cup Season 1 — and fans are still debating whether his controversial choice crossed the line between strategy and fairness.