Eyes before tongue?

I've been watching Masterchef - as I have done over many years.  I love watching people doing what they do well.  But, as in past years, I cannot understand this obsession with presentation.  I may be (probably am) a philistine, but I want food that tastes good - I really couldn't care less what it looks like.  And yet, so often contestants are criticised and sometimes it seems eliminated not for the quality of their food, but more on what it looks like on the plate.  Am I the only one who would much rather have a messy plate which tastes great rather than a pretty plate which tastes only so-so?