2021 has been an exciting year for food, we have seen many challenges on the internet that have inspired us to be home chefs. We’ve also witnessed food stunts that make us laugh in real life. However, there have also been many food controversies this year that have divided the Internet. From restaurants refusing entries for a woman wearing a saree to food critics refusing to rate restaurants, this year is rife with controversial incidents in the culinary world. As we near the end of the year, here are some of the most prominent food controversies that have rocked the internet.
Here are the 7 most shocking food controversies of 2021:
1. Delhi restaurant refuses service to women wearing Saree
The Aquila restaurant at Ansal Plaza in Delhi refused to let a woman in a saree. The woman in the saree, Anita Choudhary, shared a video clip of the incident on Facebook. “Ma’am, we only allow smart wear and sarees don’t count as formal,” the manager said in the video. “The humiliation I faced (for wearing a saree) yesterday is bigger and more heartbreaking than any other insult I have faced until now,” Anita wrote in the viral post. Click here to read more.
2. Zomato Faces Flak for advertisement with Hrithik, Katrina
Zomato released a commercial featuring Hrithik and Katrina, respectively, featuring both actors ordering food from a delivery app and receiving it. Both commercials showcase how the Zomato delivery man rushes to complete another delivery even before concluding his conversation with the actors. People consider these ads “tone deaf”, because the brand has no idea how overworked the delivery operators are. Some argue that Zomato should pay their workers better instead of spending on advertising. Click here to read more.
3. Things to Avoid Criticizing Food When Reviewing Salt Bae’s . Restaurants
Nusret Gokce went viral when a meme about him sprinkling salt on his meat went viral. Since then, ‘Salt Bae’ has used its fame to create a chain of restaurants called ‘Nusr-Et’. Twitter was shocked to find that a single steak costs £630 at his restaurant. When food critic Jay Rayner was asked to try Salt Bae’s restaurant, he refused. Instead, he took the grilled meats to go and sat outside Nusr-Et on a makeshift table to eat them. Read more here.
4. Demi Lovato Calls Yogurt Shop To Serve ‘Diet Food’
Demi Lovato has caused controversy regarding ‘diet foods’ and promoting diet culture. She posted an Instagram story after visiting ‘The Bigg Chill’, a frozen yogurt shop based in Los Angeles. Demi Lovato writes that she finds it extremely difficult to order frozen yogurt from the store. She criticized the brand for promoting healthy and ‘guilty-free’ products under her promoted ‘diet culture’. However, Twitter disagrees with her. learn more here.
5. Met Gala serves delicious food to the stars
The Met Gala is known for its gorgeous looks and extravagant outfits, but rarely has the Met Gala shared the limelight, until now. American actress and singer Keke Palmer took to social media to share pictures of the bland meal at the star-studded event. The fashion event’s menu is plant-based and sustainable. However, the meal did not look appealing on Twitter. “This is why they don’t show you all the food. I’m just a player,” Palmer wrote in her Instagram story, which she later retweeted on Twitter. Read more here.
6. Woman spits into bag and reattaches
American woman opens a bag of chips in the supermarket to try a chip she doesn’t like. She pulled the half-chewed chip into the bag, sealed it with a curling iron, and put it back on the shelf. The disgusting joke has rocked the internet, especially amid the pandemic and the contagious nature of the virus. People couldn’t help but share criticism because the prank was completely unnecessary. Click here to read more.
7. Zomato customer service staff refuse service to customers by language
A customer notices that an item is missing from his order. When he asked for help from customer service, he was criticized for not knowing Hindi. Vikash, customer tweeted: “Food ordered at zomato and one item was left out. Customer service said no refund as I don’t speak Hindi. I also learned that that As an Indian, I should know Hindi”. learn more here.
In your opinion, what is the most controversial story of the year? Let us know in the comments section.
Happy New Year 2022!
