Iceland’s president Gudni Thorlacius sent social media into a frenzy when he suggested a ban on pineapple as a pizza topping. He made the remarks during a visit to a high school in northern Iceland and many went all out to defend their favourite food — pineapple pizza. And while it took time for things to settle down, it clearly divided food camps into two sides — those who loved the fusion dish and those who don’t.
More recently, Gudni found a kindred spirit in Gordon Ramsay who declared pineapple pizza as the one food he won’t try.
But hey, everybody has those oddball dishes that are their pet peeves. We quizzed a few personalities connected with the world of food for their take on the debate. Read on to find out what they hate...
‘No ketchup on my noodles’
Saransh Goila, Chef
The texture and sweetness of pineapple blends well with cheeses and that’s what has made the Hawaiian pizza so popular across the globe. However, I don’t like pineapple on my pizza. I have been exposed to many bizarre combinations over the years. Right up there on my list of bad combos is chocolate-dipped bacon, ketchup with instant noodles and peanut butter on pickles.
‘Hate Schezuan dosa’
Mini Mathur, TV personality
I love pineapple as a topping so I am not in favour of a ban on it. I don’t like forced combinations that are made just to promote variety. They end up bastardising authentic flavours. For example, peanut butter and jelly is horrible and Schezuan dosa should be banned, too.
‘Can’t stand chocolate on bananas’
Kunal Vijaykar, Television personality
Personally, I like a combination of pineapple and ham. I would never ever think of banning anything. But I have come across some pretty weird combos like bacon jam, chocolate with chicken which I find unpalatable. I can’t stand sev on sandwiches and tomato in bhelpuri and chocolate sauce on bananas. In my community, we also prepare a fish curry with bananas, which is atrocious but extremely popular.
‘Nay for sea salt and chocolate’
Farrok Khambatta, Chef
Pineapple should be banned as a topping on pizza as it does not go well with tomato and the pizza base. However, pineapple ham and cheese is an accepted combination. Many dishes in the name of fusion create confusion on the palate. Gimmicky presentations will only wow the diner once, but if the taste of a dish is substandard the customer wont come back to eat it. All traditional food should only be tampered with only if it enhances the original dish by creating a new enhanced flavour or texture. Personally, I don’t like the combination of sea salt and chocolate. It just makes me feel like avoiding chocolate altogether — the salt hits the palate at a much later stage killing all nuances of the original taste. Expensive champagne and fruit is another thing that’s best avoided. A cheap sparkling wine is okay to be masked with fruit flavours, but not for expensive champagne.
