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The Dalai Lama yesterday made a bizarre appearance as guest judge on the Aussie version of MasterChef.

Stunned contestants prepared lunch for the Tibetan spiritual leader – but he refused to rate their offerings, saying it would be against his Buddhist principles.

In a special episode of the hit TV show, the religious figurehead was presented with several sweet and savoury veggie dishes as he took time out from his official duties on a visit Down Under.

He liked a Sri Lankan curry with roti bread but gnocchi – an Italian dumpling – was his least favourite. But his most severe critical comment about the gnocchi was that the contestant “tried their best”.

Speaking about fine dining, the Dalai Lama also told the contestants: “My knowledge of these things is very limited. Whatever I get I accept.

“As a Buddhist monk it is not right to prefer this food or that food.”

But he did reveal he was a huge fan of cheese and also said his other favourite foods included bread, tofu, mushrooms and desserts and “especially” coriander.

Speaking about the food he was presented with on the show, he said: “They all had a special taste and beauty.”