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American influencer gags over key ingredient in full English breakfast

In a recent cultural clash that has sparked heated debate online, an American influencer named Kalani Smith, known on TikTok as @kalanighosthunter, has faced significant backlash from British social media users after posting a critical review of the traditional full English breakfast. The 25-year-old content creator, who boasts a following of over 2 million on the platform, shared a video in which he rated the iconic British meal a mere 6.2 out of 10, describing it as "mid" (a slang term for mediocre). This assessment has ignited a firestorm of responses from Brits who have leapt to the defense of their beloved national dish, accusing Smith of cultural insensitivity and misunderstanding the essence of the meal.

Smith's review came after he visited a café called Terry’s in London, where he ordered a full English breakfast for £12.50. The plate included staples of the dish such as bacon, sausages, eggs, black pudding, baked beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, and toast. In his video, which has since garnered widespread attention, Smith meticulously critiqued each component of the meal. He started with the bacon, describing it as "not crispy enough" and comparing it unfavorably to the American style of bacon, which is typically fried to a crisp. He rated the bacon a 5 out of 10. Moving on to the sausages, he found them to be "pretty good" but not exceptional, awarding them a 7 out of 10. The eggs, which were fried, received a slightly higher score of 7.5, as he noted they were cooked well but lacked any standout flavor.

The influencer’s critique took a more negative turn when he addressed the black pudding, a traditional British delicacy made from pork blood, fat, and oatmeal. Smith admitted to being unfamiliar with the ingredient and, after trying it, gave it a low score of 4 out of 10, describing the texture and taste as off-putting. He was similarly unimpressed with the baked beans, a staple of the full English breakfast, calling them "just okay" and rating them a 6 out of 10. The grilled tomatoes and mushrooms also failed to win him over, with Smith noting that they seemed like an odd addition to a breakfast plate and giving them middling scores of 5 and 6, respectively. Finally, the toast, which he described as "just bread with butter," received a 6 out of 10, as he felt it lacked any special preparation or flavor.

Smith concluded his review by averaging out the scores to arrive at his overall rating of 6.2 out of 10 for the full English breakfast. He summarized his thoughts by saying that while the meal was "decent," it didn’t live up to the hype he had heard about it. He also speculated that perhaps he hadn’t visited the right place to experience an authentic or high-quality version of the dish, leaving room for the possibility that a different café might offer a better representation of the breakfast.

The reaction from British TikTok users was swift and passionate. Many took to the comments section of Smith’s video to express their outrage and defend the full English breakfast as a cultural institution. One user wrote, "How dare you rate our national treasure so low? You clearly don’t get it!" Others criticized Smith for comparing the British bacon to American bacon, pointing out that the two are entirely different cuts of meat—British bacon typically being back bacon, which is leaner and less crispy by design, while American bacon is streaky and often fried to a crisp. Another commenter argued, "You can’t judge a full English by American standards. It’s not supposed to be crispy or overly seasoned—it’s hearty and comforting!"

Some users went further, accusing Smith of cultural ignorance and suggesting that his review was disrespectful. One person commented, "This is like us going to America and saying your burgers are rubbish because they’re not like our pies. It’s a different culture, mate." Others took issue with his low rating of black pudding, with one user explaining, "Black pudding isn’t for everyone, but it’s a classic part of the breakfast. You’ve got to appreciate it for what it is, not what you think it should be." There were also comments pointing out that the full English breakfast isn’t meant to be a gourmet experience but rather a filling, no-frills meal that has its roots in working-class traditions, often eaten to fuel a long day of labor.

However, not all responses were negative. A small number of British users acknowledged that Smith’s critique wasn’t entirely off-base, with some agreeing that the quality of a full English breakfast can vary widely depending on where it’s ordered. One commenter wrote, "To be fair, Terry’s isn’t known for the best fry-up. You’ve got to go to a proper greasy spoon or a pub for the real deal." Others appreciated Smith’s honesty, even if they disagreed with his ratings, with one user saying, "I respect you trying it and giving your opinion, but I think you’d love it more if you understood the history behind it."

The debate also extended beyond TikTok, with discussions popping up on other social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram, where users continued to weigh in on whether Smith’s review was fair or an example of cultural misunderstanding. Some British users shared their own experiences of trying American breakfast foods like pancakes and waffles, admitting that they, too, had initial reservations about unfamiliar dishes but eventually came to appreciate them. This led to broader conversations about the importance of approaching foreign cuisines with an open mind and recognizing that taste is often shaped by cultural context and personal preference.

Smith, for his part, has not backed down from his initial assessment but has engaged with some of the criticism in follow-up videos and comments. He clarified that he didn’t intend to offend anyone and emphasized that his review was based on his personal taste as an American unfamiliar with British food traditions. He also expressed a willingness to try the full English breakfast again at a different location, taking into account the suggestions from his followers to visit a more traditional or highly rated establishment. "I’m open to giving it another shot," he said in a subsequent post. "Maybe I just need to find the right spot to get the full experience."

This incident highlights the broader phenomenon of cultural exchange in the age of social media, where food, as a deeply personal and cultural expression, often becomes a flashpoint for debate. The full English breakfast, with its hearty components and historical significance, is more than just a meal to many Brits—it’s a symbol of national identity and comfort. For an outsider like Smith, however, the dish can seem foreign or even unappealing without the context of its cultural importance. The clash between his review and the British response underscores how food can both unite and divide, serving as a lens through which cultural differences are magnified.

Moreover, the controversy sheds light on the power of platforms like TikTok to amplify personal opinions into global conversations. What started as a casual food review by an American influencer has morphed into a larger discussion about cultural sensitivity, the subjectivity of taste, and the ways in which traditional dishes are perceived by outsiders. While some Brits remain staunchly defensive of the full English breakfast, others have used the opportunity to educate Smith and his followers about the dish’s origins and variations, turning a potential conflict into a moment of cross-cultural dialogue.

In the end, the saga of Kalani Smith’s full English breakfast review serves as a reminder of the complexities of cultural exchange in a hyper-connected world. Food, while universal in its necessity, is deeply tied to identity, memory, and tradition. As such, critiques of iconic dishes like the full English breakfast are rarely just about the food itself—they’re about the values and histories they represent. Whether Smith will come to appreciate the meal on a second try remains to be seen, but the conversation his video sparked is unlikely to fade anytime soon, as it touches on timeless questions of taste, culture, and mutual understanding.

Read the Full Daily Mail Article at:
[ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14750627/brits-defend-english-breakfast-american-influencer-review.html ]