Great British Menu judge Michael Caines came under fire for his harsh criticism (Image: BBC)
The Great British Menu made its highly anticipated return to the last week with a brand new set of chefs hoping to wow the judges to be in with a chance to cook a course at a prestigious banquet.
For the show’s 20th anniversary, four chefs compete for South West canapes, starters and fish dishes celebrating great Britons of the past for a banquet at the historic Blenheim Palace.
After creating canapes, judge Andi Oliver told the contestants that they had to make a delicious selection of canapes as well as a starter and a fish course folowing the theme of their favourite historical figures from South West England.
But it’s fair to say two-time winner and judge Michael Cains was less than impressed with their first course. When it came to judging the starters, he scored the chefs with a measley six, four, six and five.
Although the chefs were not be scored on their cannopes, they were ranked and scored for their starters and fish dishes – and the Michellin-star chef certainly didn’t hold back with his criticisms.
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Fans branded his low comments “harsh” online (Image: BBC)
He informed them: “Nicholas, I’m giving you a six. Joe, I’m scoring you four. The dish does have potential but there’s a disconnect between the story that you’re telling and what’s on the plate.
“Amber, I’m scoring you six. Finally, Ashely, I’m scoring you five. That tuile was the tastiest thing in the kitchen so far but temperature is definitely an issue.
“Now, work to be done for all of you. I understand that it might feel a bit disheartneing but after this next course – the fish dish – one of you will be going home.”
After receing their scores, Joe joked: [That was] Savage” as Nicolas chuckled: “It’s a steep learning curve, guys.” It didn’t take long before fans flooded to X – formerly known as Twitter – to share their responses to his harsh criticisms online.
One user penned: “”Oooh some brutal scoring for the starter on @GBMofficial tonight!! @michaelchaines #greatbritishmenu”. Another agreed: “Not great scores, but Four!” [shifty eyes emoji] #GreatBritishMenu” as a third echoed: “Harsh. Very Harh. #greatbritishmenu”.
Meanwhile, a fourth argued that the tough-but-fair comments were needed. They chimed in with: “Proper scoring this week #greatbritishmenu.”
After their fish dish, Michael returned to share his comments on their third course. He scored Amber an eight, Nicholas a seven, Ashley a six and Joe a seven – meaning that Joe and Ashley were tied with 11 points.
Ultimately Ashley was saved, with the judges sending Joe home after her canopy was ranked slightly higher than her co-star on the show.
The Great British Menu airs on weekdays from 8pm on Two or catch up on iPlayer.