Fourteenth International Conference on Food Studies

Abstract

In the aftermath of Chef Gordon Ramsey’s failed attempt to “elevate” arroz pegao’ (crispy rice) on his YouTube series “Scrambled,” it became abundantly clear, as Twitter users within the Puerto Rican online community concurred, that his interpretation missed the mark. According to many Puerto Ricans (and Diasporicans) that chimed in the conversation, the offenses were because of the chef’s lack of knowledge regarding the preparation of the dish and the absence of mentioning that pegao’ represents deep family values revolving around the abuela (grandmother). However, Ramsay’s “elevated version” is far from the only instance where a person with privilege appropriates and re-interprets a minority’s dish to their liking and taste. This paper delves into the analysis of how the privileged sector’s reinterpretation of a minority group’s dish as “an elevated version” unveils the dynamics of cultural appropriation and highlights the inherent racial power imbalances at play. Additionally, to further our understanding, this project employs sentiment analysis to delve into the responses of the Puerto Rican digital community regarding Chef Ramsey’s flawed rendition of arroz pegao’. By scrutinizing the sentiments expressed in the gathered tweets, we gain valuable insights into the community’s emotional landscape, opinions, and attitudes in response to Chef Ramsey’s culinary misstep.