Masterchef isn’t really, well, Masterchef unless someone is cooking up a dish no one else has ever heard of.
And the opening episode that saw judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace return to the BBC show was no different.
(Shine TV/BBC)
Nope we aren’t talking about fancy foams, mind-blowing raviolis or too-good-to-eat chocolate sculpture desserts. It was “Indian sushi” that had the viewers stumped.
Oh gotta love #masterchef Indian sushi intriguing and always one just out there!
— Justine Laymond (@LamLungArtist) March 23, 2016
Indian sushi… Oh #Masterchef, I've missed you.
— Jen Steadman (@jenmandates) March 23, 2016
And people weren’t quite sure what the end result would look like. After all, sushi is all about raw ingredients and delicate flavours, while Indian food is generally well-cooked and with a fair amount of spices.
(Masterchef/BBC screengrab)
Hmmm. I imagine there's a good reason why Indian sushi isn't a 'thing' already… #Masterchef
— Jo Hemmings (@TVpsychologist) March 23, 2016
Indian sushi sounds dangerous. And terrible #masterchef #hungrygents
— The Hungry Gents (@thehungrygents) March 23, 2016
This chap is going to be making Indian sushi, this could go horribly wrong #masterchef
— Kris Davies MA (@chrischowdavies) March 23, 2016
Indian sushi is just weird. #Masterchef
— Ozzy (@karohemd) March 23, 2016
In fact, people thought this would be the end of altitude trainer Chris, the man who served up such a daring dish.
(Masterchef/BBC screengrab)
Indian sushi. You're going home pal.#masterchef
— Anthony (@sidhancock) March 23, 2016
Making Indian sushi on #Masterchef you're out mate 😷😷
— Hewison (@richjhewison) March 23, 2016
Even cultural appropriation was being brought into the debate…
"Indian Sushi" being cooked by a white British man is basically peak cultural culinary appropriation #Masterchef
— Ariadne Griffin (@Ariadne_Griffin) March 23, 2016
However, some were intrigued…
(Masterchef/BBC screengrab)
Oh gotta love #masterchef Indian sushi intriguing and always one just out there!
— Justine Laymond (@LamLungArtist) March 23, 2016
#Masterchef Curious to see if this Indian Sushi works
— Daniel Jenks (@DanielJenks89) March 23, 2016
But what would the judges make of this surprising plate of food that consisted of tandoori chicken rolls, tempura prawns, stuffed curried kalamari, tuna cumin rolls and two dipping sauces?
Much to everybody’s surprise, it was a massive thumbs up from both Gregg and John – with the Aussie judge saying that the only thing he didn’t like was the rice which he thought “wasn’t seasoned at all” but other than that, everything else was “ace”.
Gregg said he wasn’t sure about the curry-flavoured tuna but was on board with everything else on that fancy bamboo plate.
While the judges loved this strange-sounding dish, Twitter wasn’t so keen.
(Masterchef/BBC screengrab)
Booo – how did Indian sushi not get straight through… Next you'll be telling me I shouldn't do Mexican Dim Sum! #Masterchef
— Zarte Siempre (@zarteftw) March 23, 2016
Indian Sushi just looks awful, like something Zaza Bazaar would serve, apparently it tastes alright #Masterchef
— CharlieDickDastardly (@CharlieEsq_) March 23, 2016
That plate of Indian sushi looked awful. Wrong on so many levels #masterchef
— Lesley (@les56jenkx) March 23, 2016
In fact, John was so impressed, he went as far as to say someone could be opening a restaurant and serving Indian sushi.
But this guy didn’t agree.
Yes John someone is going to open an Indian sushi restaurant but that’s not necessarily a _good_ thing #MasterChef
— Chris Whitworth (@cawhitworth) March 23, 2016
However the dish did look beautifully presented and, in the end, Chris managed get some supporters.
(Masterchef/BBC screengrab)
Indian sushi. Gimme! 🍣 #MasterChef
— Bev Woyen (@WoyenB) March 23, 2016
i think the indian sushi worked #masterchef
— gabby (@GabbygalEvs) March 23, 2016
And guess what, he made it through to the quarter finals.
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