Paul Hollywood Eats Japan, in which the Great British Bake Off judge explores Japanese cuisine, has been branded “racist”, “cringeworthy” and “xenophobic” by disappointed viewers.
The Channel 4 show, broadcast last night (29 April), saw Hollywood venture to Japan to indulge in local delicacies, and express a number of unusual preconceived notions about the country’s food culture.
Hollywood expressed surprise that the Japanese eat bread, despite once previously turning down an offer to be a baker’s apprentice in the country, and was seen giving a world-famous, Michelin-starred ramen chef a Pot Noodle.
The celebrity baker also struggled to use chopsticks and confessed he assumed the Japanese only ate “rice and noodles”.
Viewers expressed their horror on Twitter.
“Can’t watch anymore of this,” wrote one person. “The worst programme I’ve seen in decades on Japan and Japanese food. Insulting to Japan, near racist ‘jokes’ and treating the audience like idiots. Poor quality research, appalling presenting.”
Another added: “Just wasted the last hour watching Paul Hollywood‘s cringey, xenophobic visit to Japan.”
Another asked: “Why is Paul Hollywood presenting a program called Paul Hollywood Eats Japan if he can’t use chopsticks, knows no Japanese etiquette and says things like ‘Japan makes me nervous coz it’s all rice and noodles isn’t it??’”
One viewer summed up the show succinctly.
“Watched that Paul Hollywood Eats Japan thing to remind me of happier times!” they tweeted. “Only thing I took away from it is he’s a narrow minded f***wit.”
Two more episodes of Paul Hollywood Eats Japan are due to air, with future instalments seeing the chef continuing his culinary tour and learning about Hiroshima.
