In the culinary world, where food is often celebrated and savored, there are some surprising aversions among renowned chefs. These chefs, who are experts in creating and tasting a wide variety of dishes, have their own set of foods that they simply can't stand. Let's take a look at the 10 foods that famous chefs hate with a passion.
Discover the Hidden Food Dislikes of Celebrity Chefs
1. Cilantro - Ina Garten
The herb cilantro has a polarizing effect on people. While some adore its fresh and zesty flavor, others find it repulsive. Ina Garten, the renowned "Barefoot Contessa," falls into the latter category. In a 2017 interview with Vice's Munchies podcast, she openly expressed her hatred for cilantro. "I know people love it, and you can add it to the recipe. I just hate it. To me, it's so strong - and it actually tastes like soap to me - but it's so strong it overpowers every other flavor," she revealed.This aversion to cilantro is not uncommon among chefs. It shows that even those who work with food on a daily basis have their own personal preferences and dislikes.2. Eggs - Guy Fieri
Guy Fieri is known for his adventurous palate and his ability to eat all kinds of strange and questionable foods. However, there is one food that he simply can't stand - eggs. The spiky-haired "Mayor of Flavortown" has been vocal about his hatred for eggs for years. According to him, his aversion comes from a traumatic experience he had as a child when he ate a rotten egg.During an appearance on The Tonight Show, Fieri admitted, "I'm not a big egg fan. They're great for different parts of the menu, and as a chef, I use them all the time, but I'd rather have some corned beef hash or just a sandwich."This shows that even the most fearless chefs can have their own food-related phobias.3. Truffle Oil - Martha Stewart
Truffle oil is often used to add a touch of luxury to dishes, but it's not for everyone. Martha Stewart, the domestic guru, is one of those who can't stand the pungent flavor of truffle oil. In an interview with Today, she said, "Oh, I would never use truffle oil, oh never. It's bad. It's synthetic, it's fake, it's horrible. It clings to your taste buds; it's a hideous thing. Forget truffle oil."Stewart isn't alone in her dislike for truffle oil. Many other chefs, including Gordon Ramsay and Anthony Bourdain, have also bashed the fancy ingredient mercilessly. Bourdain famously called it "the ketchup of the middle class."This shows that not all expensive ingredients are worth the hype.4. Wagyu Beef - Wolfgang Puck
Wagyu beef is considered the Rolls-Royce of beef, with its rich marbling and tender texture. However, Wolfgang Puck, the Austrian-born celebrity restaurateur, steers clear of this fatty steak. In an interview with The Telegraph, he said, "The Japanese Wagyu is really fatty, and you're not meant to eat a lot of it. I wouldn't eat steak like that... because of the fat."This shows that even the most luxurious and sought-after foods can have their drawbacks.5. Airplane Food - Gordon Ramsay
Gordon Ramsay is known for his sharp tongue and his uncompromising attitude towards food. He has tried everything from a cobra's beating heart to tar, but there is one food that he would never touch - airplane food. In an interview with Time magazine, he said, "I worked for airlines for 10 years, so I know where this food's been and where it goes and how long it took before it got on board."This shows that even the most experienced palates can be put off by certain types of food.6. Store Bought Mayo - Rachel Ray
Rachael Ray is a big proponent of homemade food and fresh ingredients. She believes that homemade mayo is far superior to store-bought mayo. In an interview with EatingWell, she said, "I hate store-bought mayonnaise. I will eat aioli or mayonnaise all day long if I make it or if I know the person who made it, but I do not want shelf-stable."This shows that chefs value the quality and freshness of ingredients and are willing to go the extra mile to make their own food.7. Bananas - Ree Drummond
Ree Drummond, the host of The Pioneer Woman, is known for her cooking skills and her love of food. However, there is one fruit that she avoids like the plague - bananas. In a blog post in 2011, she wrote, "In my entire 42 years on this earth, I've never eaten a whole banana. I've had accidental bites here and there, half of which were promptly spit out into a napkin."Although she includes bananas in some of her recipes, she keeps her distance from the fruit. This shows that even the most versatile chefs have their own food-related quirks.8. Takeout - Marry Berry
British baking legend Mary Berry has never had a takeout in her 84 years. She believes that cooking at home is the best way to enjoy food and that takeout is a waste of money. In an interview with My Weekly magazine, she said, "We want to get people cooking at home. We're a nation that orders in and eats out. I have never had a takeaway. Why should I? I can muster up things very quickly, and there are many things you can buy to help if you're busy, and which don't cost that much extra, like grated cheese."This shows that Berry values the tradition of home cooking and believes that it is an important part of our culture.9. Julia Child - Arugula
Julia Child, the legendary chef and TV personality, had a strong dislike for arugula. She once said that she would pick out arugula and throw it on the floor. This shows that even the most accomplished chefs can have their own food-related prejudices.10. Anthony Bourdain - McNuggets
Anthony Bourdain was a food lover who was not afraid to try new things. However, he had a strong aversion to McDonald's McNuggets. In an interview, he said, "Given the choice between reliving the warthog experience and eating a McNugget, I'm surely eating the McNugget. But at least I knew what the warthog was. Whereas with the McNugget, I think that's still an open question. Scientists are still wondering."This shows that Bourdain had a unique perspective on food and was not afraid to express his opinions.