A Chef's Medical Condition On The Show Is Getting Gordon Ramsay And MasterChef In Legal Trouble

Throughout Gordon Ramsay's incredibly successful reality TV career, he has become successful enough to cook for world leaders and feud with celebrities. The fact that Gordon has starred in many shows of varying quality has, unfortunately, also resulted in him dealing with a lot of criticism.

In the past, a celebrity chef called out how Gordon behaves on TV, and a couple he tried to help called him a nightmare. As unfortunate as those situations were for Gordon, they pale in comparison to what happened because of MasterChef. Unfortunately for everyone involved, a former MasterChef competitor sued the show for a disturbing reason.

MasterChef's Mary Jayne Buckingham Sued The Show Claiming She Was Mistreated

Around the world, there are millions of people who dream of becoming a reality star someday. With that in mind, it seems like getting to compete in one of Gordon Ramsay's shows would be a dream come true.

Of course, Hell's Kitchen fans know that competing on that show is a difficult experience for all involved. On the other hand, it seems like competing on MasterChef would be intense but a lot more rewarding for anyone who gets the chance.

As it turns out, however, it was a former MasterChef competitor who sued because of their experience. Not only did Mary Jayne Buckingham from MasterChef sue, she also made very alarming accusations about the competition reality show.

In 2021, fans got to see Mary Jayne compete during the show's 11th season, which was also known as MasterChef: Legends. Unfortunately for Mary Jayne, she didn't last as long as she hoped at one point since she came in 13th place.

Physical therapist Kelsey Murphy, from Indianapolis, Indiana, was the winner of Season 11, A.K.A MasterChef: Legends.

However, according to a lawsuit that Mary Jayne later filed, it was a good thing she didn't last longer. In fact, if the allegations Mary Jayne made in her lawsuit were true, she definitely should have left the show earlier.

In March 2022, TMZ published an article about Mary Jayne's lawsuit that was filed against the production companies behind MasterChef. As a part of the lawsuit, it was alleged that Mary Jayne suffered a stroke and she wasn't taken care of when she was competing on MasterChef.

In her lawsuit, Mary Jayne alleged that she suffered a stroke on March 10, 2020. Realizing she was having a medical emergency, Mary Jayne claims she told MasterChef's producers what had happened to her.

According to a Johns Hopkins Medicine article about strokes, "treatment is most effective when started right away". The reason for that is that medicine can stop brain swelling, break up clots, and protect the brain. On top of that, there is a surgical option that can relieve pressure on a stroke-sufferer's brain.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, many stroke-sufferers are left with a paralyzed limb. Other possible long term symptoms include difficulties thinking, speaking, swallowing, doing simple math, dressing, showering, and/or going to the bathroom.

Getting any of those treatments options can make a dramatic difference in how severe the lasting damage from a stroke can be.

Mary Jayne's lawsuit claimed that she told MasterChef's producers that she needed medical help. More specifically, Mary Jayne allegedly told the producers that she couldn't make it through another day of the competition.

Mary Jayne also claimed she told MasterChef's set medic that she needed treatment and was struggling to move her leg. Mary Jayne's lawsuit also stated that one side of her face began to droop as the taping continued. Despite all of Mary Jayne's alleged pleas for help, her lawsuit claims MasterChef's producers pushed her to keep competing.

Despite Mary Jayne allegedly complaining to the producers consistently throughout the day, they never listened to her. Instead, Mary Jayne's lawsuit claims she only got help after one of the show's other competitors insisted she needed to go to a hospital. The lawsuit claims that Mary Jayne's treatment was delayed by a stunning 14 hours.

Since Mary Jayne filed her lawsuit, there haven't been any publicly revealed updates. As a result, it seems there is a very good chance that an out-of-court settlement was reached. However, it is important to note that is just speculation until someone involved confirms or denies that assumption.

Mary Jayne Buckingmham continues to make her baking masterpieces according to her activity on Instagram where she goes by @maryjaynethepiequeen.

Sadly, there is one outcome from the situation that does appear to be certain. Based on Mary Jayne's social media activity, her life has been affected by the stroke she suffered. On May 4, Mary Jayne posted a photo of herself with an an injury on Instagram. The caption to the photo implies that Mary Jayne fell because of partial paralysis that affects one of her legs.

"Most of you know I have one leg that's partially paralyzed from my stroke, and there are some days that it just absolutely makes me feel like a total clutz!!"

Mary Jayne Buckingham Doesn't Seem To Resent MasterChef Despite Her Lawsuit

If the allegations from Mary Jayne Buckingham's lawsuit against MasterChef's producers are true, she had a horrible experience. With that in mind, it would be understandable if Mary Jayne resented the show for what she went through. However, that doesn't appear to be the case at all.

On June 16, 2022, Mary Jayne posted on Instagram about an anniversary related to her MasterChef experience. The caption that Mary Jayne included with that post expressed gratitude for her experience with the show.

"One year ago today on this day I can proudly say that I accomplished something I never thought I would and made my first appearance on MasterChef Legends. To say that it has changed my life, blessed my life, enriched my life would be the understatement of the millennium! This experience has blessed me in so many ways I couldn't even begin to tell you, with friendships with knowledge with stick-to-itiveness that I never thought that I had and my capacity to just never give up and keep pushing for my dreams."

Mary Jayne's caption went on to single out several people involved with MasterChef. Instead of calling anyone out, Mary Jayne wrote about how happy she was to have met those people.

"You will certainly recognize many of the contestants that went through this journey with me as well as how cool is it that I got to meet some of the most amazing chefs like Paula Deen, Sherry Yard, and Chef Dorian Hunter the winner of MasterChef season 10. And of course it goes without saying the biggies Gordon Ramsay, Aaron Sanchez and Joe Bastianich. Who would have thought little old me cooking for them 😳☺️☺️ What a wonderfully blessed charmed life I have had up to this point. I can't wait to see what's around the corner!"

It is important to note that Mary Jayne posted that caption a little bit less than three months after her lawsuit was filed. That fact makes it impressive that Mary Jayne seemed to focus on the positive aspects of her appearance.