Transatlantic visitors to the UK are essentially held hostage to our local cuisine, and it’s a fact that strikes fear into many an American.
We British have quite a few unfair reputations. For one, the beautiful grey drizzle of these shores has receded in favour of summer after summer of scorching sunlight that’s no good for our Limey complexions, and for two we’ve actually got an outrageous amount of good food on these shores.
And yes, most of that has been imported via imperialism and globalisation, but some of that great food was devised right here. Utilitarian recipes don’t equate to bad grub, although don’t quote me on that if you ever try an oatcake. We’re sorry about those.
Thankfully for our food’s reputation, we’ve got a growing number of American social media advocates sharing their surprise pleasure upon trying beans on toast, a Full English, fish and chips, sausage and mash, and various meat-and-two-veg combinations that have been keeping upper lips stiff for centuries.
One of those is @redbusruss on TikTok, an American visitor who’s been sharing his UK-specific experiences with his disbelieving countrymen.
On a recent visit to Heavenly Desserts in Liverpool, Russ indulged in a sticky toffee pudding for the first time, and it seems he was taking his maiden voyage with a boat of custard too.
“It looks like some kind of sit-down restaurant just for desserts,” he said of the establishment. You might imagine such things to be common in the States, but perhaps not!
To start, he sat down for cocktails. “The passionfruit mojito absolutely finessed my tastebuds,” he said of one particularly refreshing-looking beverage.
“And for dessert, my first-ever sticky toffee pudding,” he continued. “I got it with custard since this seems to be the British way.
“I made sure to douse it completely, since this also seems to be the British way.”
It is indeed. Who says Americans can’t be worldly?
The grub went down a treat, too: “Whoa! It’s like a sticky brownie. This is such a unique flavour. Also I’m officially in love with drowning anything I eat in custard.” All British readers can breathe a sigh of relief, especially as he adds: “At this point I’m just eating spoonfuls of custard.” Get this man a permanent visa!
Comments beneath the video were mostly in agreement with Russ’ experience.
“People complain about British food but British desserts? Top tier!” said one top comment. “Sticky Toffee Pudding, Apple Pie (yes its British), Banoffee Pie, Bakewell Tart, Battenberg, Carrot Cake, Cranachan, just to name a few…”
“Yeeees! Proud of your new love of custard!” added another, while yet another chimed: “So great to see Americans eating and enjoying our food.”
Sticky toffee puddings aren’t quite to everyone’s tastes, however. “It is one of my least favourite if the British desserts,” shared one user. “I don't dislike the flavour or anything I just find it too sweet. Also, as a pastry chef, I had to make annoying amounts of it so that may have put me off.”
Nothing puts you off food quite like working in a kitchen.
Custard can also be divisive, of course: “I love sticky toffee pudding, but I'm not a fan of custard. I'd rather have ice cream or cream.”
A final comment added: “'It's like a sticky brownie', I have never heard it insulted in such a way. Brownies aspire to to like a sticky toffee pudding. Sticky Toffee pudding is like the elixir of life while brownies are like Flint tap water.”
Oof, shots fired.
Featured Image Credit: Joff Lee/Getty ImagesTopics: UK Food, Social Media, TikTok
Rachael Davis