"Michelin doesn't give a s**t about you"
Padma Lakshmi has defended a New York City-based Michelin-starred Indian restaurant after a negative review by two food influencers.
Semma is the only Indian restaurant in New York City with a Michelin star.
However, it was recently criticised by influencers Meg Radice and Audrey Jongen, known as The VIP List.
In a video shared to their 600,000 followers, one of the influencers said:
“This is why I’ve lost faith in the Michelin system… here’s the real tea.”
“I could name 15 better Indian restaurants right now, including the biryani cart outside of my apartment.”
Despite acknowledging Semma’s focus on Southern Indian cuisine, one of the influencers proceeded to say that she didn’t expect to see “tiki masala” on the menu, an incorrect reference to tikka masala.
She went on to ask why all the dishes she tried were “drowned in this mystery sauce”.
She added: “Usually I’m a wh**e for oxtail, but I closed my legs for this.”
The video concluded: “Overall nothing was horrible but nothing was great either, and I truly do not get the hype. Go cry about it.”
@theviplist Is Semma worth the hype?! The real tea on NYC’s only Michelin star Indian restaurant? #indian #review #michelin #opinion #nyc ? original sound – The VIP List
The VIP List’s review drew criticism, with one commenting:
“This video is sooo trashy.”
Another asked: “Why is she yelling at us?”
Critics also pointed out the influencer’s confusion about the food.
A user said: “Do you not try to find out anything about the culture/food you’re partaking in??”
Another asked: “How are we supposed to take your review seriously when you say things like ‘tiki masala’?”
The viral review eventually caught Padma Lakshmi, who hit out at the women.
In a TikTok video, she said: “I try not to get involved in these little things but I can’t help but respond or at least comment.
“I’m pretty sure Michelin doesn’t give a s**t about you either, or what you think about anything, let alone food.
“Just a tip, before you go off slagging other cuisines, maybe you should understand them a little bit more.
“Or at least, I don’t know, pronounce the dishes you’re actually critiquing.
“There’s no tiki anything in Indian cuisine. Not in North or South Indian cuisine.”
@padmalakshmi Semma is for us…. And they not like us. #semma #michelin #michelinstar #yikes ? original sound – Padma Lakshmi
Continuing to slam the influencers, the former Top Chef host added:
“By the way, Semma isn’t made for you, it’s not, it’s made for us.
“I’m pretty sure if nobody but Desis [or those of South Asian origin] went there for the rest of its existence, it would still be booked solid for the next decade.
“You seem like nice girls. I can only judge you by how you judge.
“I think you should do a little more research before you go deciding about what you’re going to slag off, okay? Just a tip.”
Many praised Padma Lakshmi’s comments.
One viewer said: “If THE Padma Lakshmi dragged me like this I’d deactivate my account and move to a cabin off the grid.”
In response, The VIP List said: “Social media gives us the freedom to spotlight what we think is great, and call it out when it’s not.
“If we don’t vibe with a place, that’s not a scandal. It’s just content. It’s commentary. It’s satire.”
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