Having grown up in South Texas, my jaw dropped when I heard about this serious gaffe. But this seems seems to happen in the US, too. Certain Mexican restaurnts (owned by Mexican Americans) still do the birthday schtick where the celebrant will be given a turista-type gaudy sombrero to wear and the wait staff will sing Happy Birthday. I've witnessed this and have wanted to shout "The least you could do would be to sing Las Mañanitas".
I’ve not seen the episode but from clips and commentary I am sad but not surprised. There is just no excuse for something that wasnt produced by a vlogger from their kitchen table to resort to such crude stereotypes. Thanks for your considered piece and writing on cultural appropriation and sterotyping in food more generally.
Thank you for writing these comments, Mallika. I have lived in Mexico for more than 40 years, am a professional food writer, primarily focussing on regional Mexican cuisines, and am a naturalized Mexican citizen. I was offended to the core by this travesty on GBBO and had many of the same thoughts you articulated so well in what you wrote.
My English-language website is https://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com, if you'd like to see what I do. The website has been online for just short of 16 years, has between 6 and 8 million readers worldwide, and a few years ago was named by the Times of London as the best food website in the world.
Hello Christina, thank you so much for sharing your details here! I wish I’d spoken to you for your comments too but now you are firmly in my mind. All my very best
Thank you for this. I am still so upset.
Having grown up in South Texas, my jaw dropped when I heard about this serious gaffe. But this seems seems to happen in the US, too. Certain Mexican restaurnts (owned by Mexican Americans) still do the birthday schtick where the celebrant will be given a turista-type gaudy sombrero to wear and the wait staff will sing Happy Birthday. I've witnessed this and have wanted to shout "The least you could do would be to sing Las Mañanitas".
But it draws the punters, I reckon.
It’s widespread and we need to change it. Thanks for reading
This happens in some Mexican restaurants here too.
I feel your pain N, thank you for your considered comments
I appreciate your offering me a chance to vent!
I’ve not seen the episode but from clips and commentary I am sad but not surprised. There is just no excuse for something that wasnt produced by a vlogger from their kitchen table to resort to such crude stereotypes. Thanks for your considered piece and writing on cultural appropriation and sterotyping in food more generally.
You’re most welcome. Thank you for reading, there really isn’t an excuse
Thank you for writing this. It was so sad to watch the program.
Big love Karla. And thank you for your great work to champion real Mexican food and culture
Thank you for writing these comments, Mallika. I have lived in Mexico for more than 40 years, am a professional food writer, primarily focussing on regional Mexican cuisines, and am a naturalized Mexican citizen. I was offended to the core by this travesty on GBBO and had many of the same thoughts you articulated so well in what you wrote.
My English-language website is https://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com, if you'd like to see what I do. The website has been online for just short of 16 years, has between 6 and 8 million readers worldwide, and a few years ago was named by the Times of London as the best food website in the world.
Thanks again for the pushback.
Cristina Potters
Hello Christina, thank you so much for sharing your details here! I wish I’d spoken to you for your comments too but now you are firmly in my mind. All my very best
Very well-articulated, I was absolutely shocked when I watched it on catch up.
Thanks Nikki. Appalling stuff
A thought-provoking piece, Mallika. I missed GBBO and now quite glad I did.
Thanks David, not one for me for obvious reasons