TV Review: Personally, I'm rather delighted that MasterChef is still on...
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Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
MasterChef winner claims John Torode was 'hung out to dry' by BBC bosses after he was axed for 'using a racist slur'
One of MasterChef's most successful winners has hit out at BBC bosses for axing star John Torode, after he was sacked over allegations he used a racist slur. Thomasina Miers was crowned the winner of the first series of the show to be hosted by John and Gregg Wallace back in 2005, and is now the owner of restaurant chain Wahaca. Speaking to The Sunday Times, Thomasina said she 'didn't get' the decision to axe John from the show, after the complaint was revealed in the report into co-presenter Gregg's inappropriate behaviour. She said: 'I cannot believe that John got hung out to dry like that. Twenty years of his life of dedicated service. John is like the least racist person I've ever met … I just don't get it.' Thomasina did not feel compelled to comment on Gregg's sacking by BBC bosses, but noted that 'smutty' kitchen jokes have been been commonplace for her. She added: 'I have a really smutty sense of humour so God knows what the BBC would make of some of the banter we have. I don't think they'd approve but we have a lot of fun in the kitchens. 'Obviously you can't be making other people feel uncomfortable, but equally I think you have to have fun and be able to have a joke… The kitchen is notoriously full of innuendo and double meanings.' John was reportedly singing the rapper's hit Gold Digger when he was allegedly 'caught using the racist term during after work drinks six or seven years ago'. But, BBC News has since reported this was not the incident which led to the complaint upheld by the report. This instead related to another incident a year earlier, when he allegedly used the same word on set after filming an episode of MasterChef and it was directed at a member of staff. The news site added that the upheld allegation of racist language was one of nine complaints made against Torode in the report, which also related to allegations of abusive language towards junior production staff and sexual language, and which were not upheld. These allegations were not upheld as they were unsubstantiated due to a lack of evidence or witnesses. The Sun claims Torode used the word again whilst chatting to a friend on the MasterChef production team, who didn't take offence. The Australian-born chef has insisted 'he had absolutely no recollection' of using a racist term while drinking with colleagues seven years ago. The person who raised the complaint is understood to have 'overheard the conversation'. The production pal allegedly backed Torode and said he only used the racial slur as an 'example' and 'apologised afterwards'. A witness told investigators he had apologised immediately, 'was mortified' and 'didn't use the term as a slur' in 2018. The BBC said earlier this month that Torode's contract would not be renewed after a report found he had used an 'extremely offensive racist term'. The corporation has refused to say what the racist term was - as has Torode, who has claimed he did 'not believe that it happened'. But it was then described as the 'worst racial slur there is' by Richard Osman, who added of the investigation: 'They found that to be substantively true. They found evidence that they were happy with - that that was true'. Torode said after his sacking, in a lengthy statement posted to Instagram: 'Although I haven't heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay – I am seeing and reading that I've been 'sacked' from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I'm accused of.' The complaint against Torode was revealed in the report into co-presenter Gregg Wallace's inappropriate behaviour. Wallace, 60, was sacked after dozens of complaints against him were upheld. Torode identified himself as an unnamed person in the report who was accused of using 'racist language'. ITV have continued to host the disgraced presenter on his show he shares with his wife, Lisa; John and Lisa's Weekend Kitchen. The BBC have since gone ahead with broadcasting the amateur series of MasterChef filmed last year, before allegations against Gregg and John were upheld, though their screentime has been reduced to a minimum.
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
MasterChef winner furiously accuses BBC of leaving John Torode 'hung out to dry'
MasterChef star Thomasina Miers has hit out at the BBC for sacking host John Torode after racist accusation back in 2018 was upheld by broadcaster following investigation Thomasina Miers has achieved great success since being crowned winner of MasterChef in 2005 under the judgement of John Torode and Gregg Wallace. At the time of winning the coveted trophy, both John and Gregg were held in great esteem by the amateur chefs and production staff. But now, both presenters have had their careers blighted by upheld accusations and have been sacked by the BBC following an investigation into their use of offensive language and inappropriate behaviour. It comes after John Torode's wife Lisa Faulkner broke her silence after his MasterChef sacking. Since news of their sacking emerged, Thomasina, 49, has finally broken her silence and has come out in support of John Torode as she believes he was "hung out to dry", by the broadcaster. John was sacked from his role on the show after he was accused of using a racist term. The term was allegedly made while on set in 2018 and the show's production company deemed the term as "seriously offensive." In an interview with The Sunday Times, Thomasina said: "I cannot believe that John got hung out to dry like that. Twenty years of his life of dedicated service. John is like the least racist person I've ever met … I just don't get it." Gregg was also sacked over inappropriate behaviour and his use of sexual jokes. And while Thomasina only felt compelled to comment on John, she seems to have an understanding of "smutty" jokes in the kitchen. She continued: "I have a really smutty sense of humour so God knows what the BBC would make of some of the banter we have. I don't think they'd approve but we have a lot of fun in the kitchens." She added: "Obviously you can't be making other people feel uncomfortable, but equally I think you have to have fun and be able to have a joke … The kitchen is notoriously full of innuendo and double meanings." Thomasina is the owner of restaurant chain Wahaca. After much deliberation, the BBC decided to air this year's series which was filmed before both presenters were told to step down from their role. However, the episodes were edited in a desperate bid to show a reduced amount of interaction between the amateur chef and the show hosts. And according to reports two contestants asked to be edited out of the series. Reflecting on her time on the show twenty years ago, Thomasina said the show has a special place in her heart as it was the first time she was told she was good at cooking. She added: "It was the first time someone said, 'You're really good at this, this is what you should be doing', I went to quite an academic school [St Paul's Girls' School in Hammersmith, west London], so being a chef felt not like a proper career." In her restaurants, loyalty from her long-term staff is rewarded with either a month long sabbatical or a trip to Mexico. She said: "We have really good parties. You've got to have fun at work. I'm obviously not condoning any kind of inappropriate behaviour … but if you are, you know, good friends, you just have fun. Kitchens are notorious for smutty behaviour but it's fun, light-weight."
RNZ News
18 hours ago
- RNZ News
Alice Taylor: making delicious, no-frills food
In just two months, chef and writer Alice Taylor has grown her Instagram following from 40,000 to over 300,000. The secret ingredient? Authenticity. Alice has a no-frills approach to cooking - sharing cheap and simple recipes in candid videos made in her home kitchen. Alice placed third on MasterChef New Zealand in 2022, which led to her working as a pastry chef and at the renowned Amisfield Restaurant in Queenstown. She joins Stacey Morrison on the Sunday Morning show to chew over her rising success. Here are Alice's recipes for Budget Friendly Sticky Date Pudding, Täve (one tray rice dish from Albania), and Tiramisu (cheap and expensive) Alice Taylor Photo: Supplied
