Jason Atherton has responded to growing backlash against his comments about sexism – now saying his words were ‘taken out of context’.
The famous chef, aged 53, faced criticism recently due to comments he made in a recent interview with The Times. He stated that women in British kitchens ‘don’t really’ encounter sexism anymore.
His remarks sparked controversy online, especially on TikTok, where popular chef and MasterChef judge Poppy O’Toole expressed disappointment, stating that his words belittle the experiences of those who have dealt with sexism.
Responding to the backlash, Jason released a lengthy statement to his Instagram account on Monday in a bid to ‘put the record straight’.
In response to the backlash, he clarified: ‘I do not support sexism in the industry or anywhere else. A significant percentage of our staff are women, and many women hold top positions within our organization.
‘My family is all women except for me – my wife and three young growing daughters, so sexism couldn’t be further from my worldview.
He added that he had been caught ‘off guard’ by the sexism question, and that his response had been ‘taken out of context’.
Jason continued: ‘I didn’t feel it was my place to answer that question myself and tried to move onto another topic, by simply saying I hadn’t witnessed any sexism, however those few comments have been taken out of context and used in the headline.
Jason Atherton has responded to growing backlash against his comments about sexism – now saying his words were ‘taken out of context’
‘And regarding my quote on moving on from the past, that was about negativity in the industry, not sexism.
‘I do generally believe our industry has moved on a lot in the last decade. I simply meant we are all working hard to make it a much better place. Of course nothing is perfect in life.’
In the Times interview, which was published on Monday, Jason had discussed receiving a Michelin star just seven weeks after opening his new eatery, Row on 5 in London’s Mayfair.
However, it was his comments about the state of sexism in the cooking industry that later went viral on social media.
When asked whether women still experience sexism in kitchens today, he had replied: ‘No, not really. I’ve not seen it. Any industry has its ups and downs. I think there’s way too much focus on our industry because of that.
‘In the past, the hours have been long. It’s been brutal, but that’s behind us. But that [sexism] was also in journalism, it was also in fashion. It wasn’t just our industry. It was society in general.
‘I think there’s too much focus on the negative side of our industry, rather than what is great like the fact that you can be any gender now in our industry and flourish.’
The backlash to his comments was led by self-described ‘Queen of potatoes’ Poppy O’Toole on Instagram, who criticised the ‘male chef’ for ‘telling women they do not experience sexism’.
Furore online was led by TikTok chef Poppy O’Toole, who branded his comments ‘disappointing’
Responding to the backlash, Jason released a lengthy statement to his Instagram account on Monday in a bid to ‘put the record straight’
29-year-old Poppy, who boasts more than one million followers, shared her own horrifying experiences of sexism and harassment in the workplace, including being inappropriately grabbed by her employer, who spoke to her about sexual positions in front of the whole team and sent her sexual propositions outside of work hours.
Writing on Instagram, she said: ‘It is disappointing to see a leader in our industry diminish the experiences of those who have spoken out openly about the sexism in the hospitality industry.
She added: ‘I’m lucky and proud to be in a position where I don’t have to go to work for these type of men anymore to maintain a successful career in the industry and it means I can speak openly and call it out, while also sharing the experiences of others in a bid that the more we speak about it, the less we stand for it.
‘I wholly understand there are great men in the industry and toxic-free workplaces – however it is important that the leaders in this industry (that are sadly 99.99% men) are receptive to these conversations and push for change rather than ignoring it’s happening.
‘I understand the industry is on its knees at the moment – but there’s also been a great deal of incredibly talented women who are no longer a part of it because of its toxicity. “It was worse before”, “we have bigger problems” and “we’ve moved on” doesn’t really cut it. It’s a tough pill to swallow that we should be celebrating diversity in an industry where it simply is not there. Also if we’re writing articles headlined about sexism in the industry, do we think it’s worth talking to a woman?
‘Let’s not continue to ignore a problem. I have shared the previous messages I received from women in and out of the industry. Let their stories be enough reason to be better.’
It was revealed last week that his opulent City Social located in City of London had lost its coveted Michelin star.
The backlash to his comments was led by self-described ‘Queen of potatoes’ Poppy O’Toole on Instagram, who criticised the ‘male chef’ for ‘telling women they do not experience sexism’
The Sheffield-born celebrity chef secured the accolade for the upmarket dining spot, which boasts panoramic skyline views of the city, within six months of its opening in 2014.
However, it was revealed that City Social is no longer in possession of the star in the Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland 2025.
The guide recognises some of the best restaurants in the world by awarding up to three of its prestigious stars – and can make or break reputations.
It’s the second blow for the chef who also shut his Pollen Street Social restaurant last year after a 14-year run.
At the time of its closure, Atherton said: ‘The London dining scene is fast-paced, and diners are looking for something a little different,’ according to The Caterer.
Atherton was also accused of ‘bullying’ young chefs in a BBC2 cookery show, The Chefs’ Brigade, in 2019.
The chef admitted to being incandescent with rage during filming after his young team served food late and plated dishes badly in a Norwegian cookery challenge.
Jason Atherton’s City Social has lost its Michelin star in the new 2025 guide (pictured: Jason Atherton at the opening of Harrods Social by Jason Atherton)
Viewers watching the second episode of the programme, which aimed to unearth hidden talent working in the UK food industry, branded Atherton a ‘bullying b******’ and said it was hard to believe such shouting in the kitchen was still acceptable.
City Social was one of six restaurants to lose its stars in this year’s guide, with Mayfair’s Chinese restaurant Kai also dropping off the list.
The world-famous Michelin Guide has received a Gen Z makeover to rid itself of its stuffy image, as it seeks to stay relevant in the age of food influencers.
While it was once arguably the only review that mattered to top chefs, the guide – first founded in the early 1900s to help motorists know where to dine – is now suffering from fierce competition.
The rise of food influencers and online reviewers can now send restaurants viral almost immediately – offering a boost to local cuisines that can see long queues form overnight.
As well as promoting previously unknown finds, the online world of influencing also offers diners a world of choice at often far cheaper prices than any Michelin starred restaurant.
