MasterChef 2023

[Pickman's model]

Sure back in the day we'd have stretched to a new thread for a new year of mc

 

[PR1Berske]

Sure back in the day we'd have stretched to a new thread for a new year of mc

I did think that. I didn't want to start a new one in case it looked a bit sad on its own

 

[oryx]

The lot last night were slightly unusual in that they were all fairly good, and all likable!

 

[May Kasahara]

What is going to be this year's cheffy quirk? You know, the thing that everyone does. Last year sauces split with herb oils were popular; in previous years we've had runs on scallops, chocolate fondants, those weird caviar pearl things, smoke under a cloche...

 

[pbsmooth]

I don’t want to sound like a massive gammon but the regularity that people of Indian descent come on and cook curry after curry is beyond parody. One of the women who had grown up in England said she’d never really eaten English food Staggering how isolated some communities are.
By contrast, most of the white English people cook anything but English food

 

[hash tag]

There was the person who grew up in Kenya I think it was, who said they had never even seen an oven until a few years ago.

 

[Steel Icarus]

There was the person who grew up in Kenya I think it was, who said they had never even seen an oven until a few years ago.

That lass from The Gambia, I think it was; she said something about cooking over fires growing up

 

[pbsmooth]

Yes that was a different person. She was great.

 

[Griff]

Those curry pies looked delish!

 

[hash tag]

That lass from The Gambia, I think it was; she said something about cooking over fires growing up

Amazing all the same.

 

[Steel Icarus]

I've got up to date over the last three nights so I'm a bit confused about who everyone is!

 

[hash tag]

I've got up to date over the last three nights so I'm a bit confused about who everyone is!

Just watch and enjoy.

 

[Steel Icarus]

Just watch and enjoy.

Mrs SI worked with Penny, she said she was and did exactly as she expected

 

[Gromit]

I don’t want to sound like a massive gammon but the regularity that people of Indian descent come on and cook curry after curry is beyond parody. One of the women who had grown up in England said she’d never really eaten English food Staggering how isolated some communities are.
By contrast, most of the white English people cook anything but English food

Well that's because English food is shite.

Other cultures don't need to look outside their own cultures for decent food.

Even the food they serve on trains in India is quality.

 

[Steel Icarus]

I don’t want to sound like a massive gammon but the regularity that people of Indian descent come on and cook curry after curry is beyond parody. One of the women who had grown up in England said she’d never really eaten English food Staggering how isolated some communities are.
By contrast, most of the white English people cook anything but English food

It works both ways though, in terms of isolation to different cultures, ideas, foods. I was genuinely about 19 before I saw a garlic bulb or stem ginger. I had bolognese and lasagne and "curry" as a kid but my mum either didn't know about or didn't like things that are now staples, I bet, in most UK kitchens; garlic, paprika, turmeric, chilli flakes; black pepper even. My grandmother was an incredible baker but the spiciest food she ever made was parkin; dinner was meat and three pressure cookered veg or casseroles.

 

[Artaxerxes]

I don’t want to sound like a massive gammon but the regularity that people of Indian descent come on and cook curry after curry is beyond parody. One of the women who had grown up in England said she’d never really eaten English food Staggering how isolated some communities are.
By contrast, most of the white English people cook anything but English food

What’s far worse is that people from other cultures come on and the judges go on about “oh it’s not got the heat of a real curry” and kick them off

 

[pbsmooth]

It works both ways though, in terms of isolation to different cultures, ideas, foods. I was genuinely about 19 before I saw a garlic bulb or stem ginger. I had bolognese and lasagne and "curry" as a kid but my mum either didn't know about or didn't like things that are now staples, I bet, in most UK kitchens; garlic, paprika, turmeric, chilli flakes; black pepper even. My grandmother was an incredible baker but the spiciest food she ever made was parkin; dinner was meat and three pressure cookered veg or casseroles.

But this woman was 40/50 ! And times have changed somewhat since 80s or even 90s in England. It’s just an incredibly blinkered life. I’d judge someone who went on holiday for a week and didn’t eat local food - let alone living somewhere for decades!

 

[hash tag]

It works both ways though, in terms of isolation to different cultures, ideas, foods. I was genuinely about 19 before I saw a garlic bulb or stem ginger. I had bolognese and lasagne and "curry" as a kid but my mum either didn't know about or didn't like things that are now staples, I bet, in most UK kitchens; garlic, paprika, turmeric, chilli flakes; black pepper even. My grandmother was an incredible baker but the spiciest food she ever made was parkin; dinner was meat and three pressure cookered veg or casseroles.

Vesta boil in the bag curry was my mother's first attempt at curry

 

[seeformiles]

I don’t want to sound like a massive gammon but the regularity that people of Indian descent come on and cook curry after curry is beyond parody. One of the women who had grown up in England said she’d never really eaten English food Staggering how isolated some communities are.
By contrast, most of the white English people cook anything but English food

I work with several Polish women who’ve lived here for about 20 years. We’re all good friends and talk a lot about our home lives, likes, dislikes, etc. However, when it comes to food, it’s interesting how they tend to stick to making Polish dishes at home. I asked why, given that one lass in particular has expressed a great love for Chinese takeaway, and she said that she and her husband are very wary of spicy food esp. chilli - sticking to the meat, potatoes, cabbage Central European staples - many I was brought up with as well (having a German mother). We’ve compared what we traditionally eat at festivals like Xmas and Easter and it’s extremely different (E.g. Fish being the trad Polish Xmas dish). Perhaps, as they mainly socialise with other Polish diaspora, food is the way to preserve a connection to the old country but their lack of culinary curiosity surprises me at times.

 

[PR1Berske]

I've been reminded about them criticising a Malaysian woman for cooking, erm checks notes, a Malaysian dish

Malaysia PM enters MasterChef 'crispy' chicken rendang controversy

Britain's High Commissioner has also tried to simmer down the row after Malaysians poured scorn on the show's judges.

news.sky.com

 

[hash tag]

It's good to see a vegetarian cook progressing.

 

[hash tag]

We think Charlotte is vegan. Mrs Tag said if she is, she won't go far. 2 seconds later

 

[hash tag]

Charlotte is a vegan is back.

 

[hash tag]

When mentioned, she did not appear to know her own name.

 

[nottsgirl]

How big is that bloody butternut squash?

 

[oryx]

Not yet another lamb dish that's practically raw!

 

[PR1Berske]

South African custard woman will live on infamy.

 

[hash tag]

Last night was a turn up. Everything was so complicated; woodruff and crocodile are just two ingredients that spring to mind.

 

[pbsmooth]

When they said crocodile I thought it was going to be the name of a dish or technique or something, not actual crocodile… bit weird.

 

[oryx]

It's a weird twist to invite back previous unsuccessful contestants from earlier Masterchefs. Although I quite like the guy who is a pig-impersonating fire-eater.