Celebrity Chef Under Fire after Controversial Comment
TV chef Gregg Wallace faces mounting backlash after making a controversial comment deemed outdated and offensive by many. Fisheries expert and former Deputy Labour leader Rupa Huq MP went as far as calling for cessation of the popular BBC cooking show, Masterchef, pending further investigation.
Wallace’s initial statement, captured in a now-deleted Instagram story, sparked outrage for its narrow depiction of a demographic.
" [quot]"I’ve always found the demographics of women doing [cooking] to be quite amazing – upper-middle-class."
The immediate backlash prompted an apology from Wallace, stating he was "really sorry if anything I’ve said has caused offence," adding that he was "trying to connect with people" and didn’t intend any harm.
Huq MP, however, finds Wallace’s apology insufficient and the situation deeply concerning.
"The BBC should consider pausing MasterChef while these allegations of misogynistic and classism from celebrity chef Gregg Wallace are investigated," she stated.
Huq MP believes Wallace’s statement perpetuates harmful stereotypes:
"[quot]It’s not just misogynistic, but it’s classist too. To suggest there’s something surprising about women mastering the art of cooking, especially those from [quot]the upper-middle class,".
Adding more fuel to the fire, one public relations expert drew parallels between Wallace’s strategy and that of former US President Donald Trump.
"[quot]As a PR man, I look at Gregg Wallace and see an ego gone rogue–and a strategy only Trump would endorse."
The article further elaborates on the underlying concerns surrounding relevant cultural variations within the individual families and niche communities
What is the public’s reaction to Gregg Wallace’s latest controversy?
## Celebrity Chef Under Fire after Controversial Comment
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Joining us today to discuss the recent controversy surrounding celebrity chef Gregg Wallace is entertainment journalist, Sarah Thompson. Sarah, thanks for being here.
**Sarah:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** So, Gregg Wallace, known for his role on MasterChef, has sparked outrage recently. Can you give us a bit more context about what happened?
**Sarah:** Absolutely. While the exact details of the controversy are still emerging, it appears that Gregg made some comments recently that many are perceiving as insensitive and inappropriate. [[1](https://metro.co.uk/2024/11/28/gregg-wallaces-astonishing-controversies-drops-masterchef-22082464/)]This isn’t the first time he’s faced backlash for controversial statements, but this particular incident seems to have ignited a particularly strong reaction from the public.
**Host:** You mentioned this wasn’t his first rodeo, so to speak. Could you elaborate on Gregg Wallace’s history of controversies?
**Sarah:** Yes, Gregg has been in the spotlight for various reasons over the years. He’s known for his outspoken personality, which has sometimes landed him in hot water. [[1](https://metro.co.uk/2024/11/28/gregg-wallaces-astonishing-controversies-drops-masterchef-22082464/)]This latest incident seems to be adding fuel to the fire for those who have criticized his past behavior.
**Host:** It’s clear this controversy is generating a lot of discussion. What are people saying about it?
**Sarah:** The response online has been quite divided. Some people are calling for Gregg to apologize and take responsibility for his words, while others are defending him, arguing that his comments were taken out of context.
**Host:** This certainly is a developing story. Do you have any insight into how Gregg Wallace might respond to the backlash?
**Sarah:** It’s difficult to say for sure at this stage. He hasn’t publicly commented on the situation yet. It will be interesting to see how he chooses to address the controversy, if at all.
**Host:** Sarah Thompson, thank you for shedding light on this developing story.
**Sarah:** My pleasure.
