Logan Fires Back at MKR’s “Bogan” Comments
So, there’s been a bit of drama bubbling up around My Kitchen Rules lately, and it’s got nothing to do with the food. Instead, it’s about what one contestant said about Logan, a city in Queensland. Michael Edelberg, who’s competing with his partner Rielli Portegys, made some pretty harsh remarks in a promotional video. He basically called Logan the “slums” and labeled two fellow contestants from the area, Lilli McKay and Lauren Argyle, as “Logan bogans.” The kicker? McKay admitted she’d never left Queensland, and Edelberg seized on that to question her experience and sophistication when it comes to food.
Now, Argyle pushed back immediately, saying you can’t generalize about Logan. But Edelberg doubled down, saying he did exactly that—he generalizes the entire city. His partner Rielli even chimed in later, suggesting their worldly travels made them more qualified in food culture than someone who hadn’t been outside the state. That kind of smugness didn’t sit well with people watching, especially the folks of Logan.
Also Read:The backlash came quickly. Logan’s mayor, Jon Raven, stepped into the spotlight and didn’t hold back. He admitted the comments made him angry, but he also flipped the moment into an opportunity. On local radio, he said he was almost grateful, because it gave him the chance to smash stereotypes about his city. According to him, Logan doesn’t need the world to broaden anyone’s palate—you can experience global flavors right there at home. He even went so far as to say that many Logan families cook better meals every night than what Edelberg and his partner could dish up on a reality TV competition. That’s a strong counterpunch.
And honestly, Raven has a point. Logan is one of the most multicultural areas in Queensland. Its food reflects influences from Indigenous, Filipino, Indian, and Pacific Islander communities, just to name a few. There’s a thriving dining scene with specialty coffee spots, bakeries, ramen houses, Korean barbeque joints, and halal burger shops that rival anything in Brisbane or the Gold Coast. Then there are the Global Food Markets held every Sunday in Woodridge—one of the most vibrant, multicultural market experiences in the state.
Sure, Logan has its fair share of bogans, but so does every other city in Australia. It’s not unique to Logan, and it certainly doesn’t define the community. What really stands out is how the city’s diversity has shaped its culture and its cuisine into something worth celebrating. So while Edelberg and Portegys may have tried to flex their “world travel” credentials, the truth is that Logan itself offers a world of flavors and experiences without needing a passport.
In the end, the “bogan” comments may have been meant as an insult, but they’ve instead sparked a wave of pride. For locals and for food lovers in general, the message is clear: Logan isn’t just surviving its reputation—it’s thriving and inviting everyone to pull up a chair at the table.
Read More:
0 Comments