Saturday Kitchen viewers were left unimpressed by MasterChef critic Jay Rayner’s culinary creation. He whipped up a divisive dish that seemed to be a hit in the BBC studio but failed to tantalise the taste buds of those watching at home.
Jay presented host Matt Tebbutt and Radio 2 celebrity Sarah Cox with a recipe from his latest cookbook, Nights Out At Home, featuring charred Hispi cabbage with XO seasoning.
However, it was his unconventional choice of a secret ingredient that sparked controversy instead of a traditional crispy crumb, he opted for crushed crisps, including Scampi Fries and pickled onion Monster Munch, prompting viewers to recoil at the odd mix, reports the Mirror.
Audiences took to social media to express their dismay, with comments suggesting that “Monster Munch crisps had been wasted” believing that they did not complement the cabbage. Some even declared they “wouldn’t eat his food even if they were paid”.
On X the platform formerly known as Twitter one user wrote: “Ewww that looks vile #SaturdayKitchen,” while another shared similar sentiments: “Looks f***ing rank that. #SaturdayKitchen,” accompanied by a green-faced sick emoji.
Another commenter lamented the misuse of snacks: “#saturdaykitchen A waste of a packet of monster munch,” and yet another stated bluntly: “Wouldn’t eat that if you paid me #SaturdayKitchen.”
One sceptical viewer suggested plagiarism: “Is Jay Rayner’s book just ideas he’s stolen off other people? #saturdaykitchen.” Despite viewers at home criticising the food critic’s plate of grub, those in the studio, including host Matt and Radio 2 DJ Sarah, thoroughly enjoyed the vegetarian dish.
However, there were some questions about the dressing, with Sarah asking the food reviewer: “What’s in the dressing, please? ” He informed her: “The vinaigrette has two oils, vegetable oil and it’s also olive oil.”
Demonstrating his culinary knowledge, he added: “If it’s too much olive oil it’ll be bitter. And then you’ve got mayonnaise and dijon mustard to just bring in some flavour but it’s also a brilliant emulsifier.”
Jay continued: “The Soy sauce which Henry Harris suggested to me just gives a little edamame boost to it and then a tiny touch of honey, garlic salt and it does create a lovely vinaigrette.” The MasterChef star then confessed: “Even if my wife doesn’t like it.”
Matt asked: “And it won’t split?” Jay responded confidently: “It won’t split, he says looking at it very carefully.” Then, amid laughter in the background, he added: “It’ll stay light and it’ll stay fluffy which is what we want.”
Saturday Kitchen airs every Saturday, from 10am on BBC One.