Food

The thing I just can’t stomach ... Indy Power and a host of others share their no-go foods

Ketchup, kidneys, oysters, coriander and cucumber ... What’s your most hated food?

Food writer Indy Power can’t stand ketchup: “I can’t even bring it to my lips.”

Tue Nov 30 2021 - 06:00

Indy Power, food writer: I can't stand ketchup. For as long as I can remember I've always been irrationally repulsed by it. It's the only thing I can think of that I truly hate. I'm not even sure that I've really tasted it on its own. I can't even bring it to my lips.

Rosanna Davison, actor, model, author and nutritional therapist: I've been a vegetarian since my early teens and fully plant-based for the past decade, so it would have to be meat. I used to find the texture and metallic taste difficult to stomach, so I was delighted that my parents supported my decision to become vegetarian and really encouraged me.

Robin Gill, chef and restaurateur: I hate pomegranate, it's the seeds inside, and I also hate birthday cake. I don't like overly sweet things so birthday cake with icing freaks me out.

Paul Byrom is an Irish tenor: I absolutely cannot stand coriander, it adds absolutely nothing for me.

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Greg O'Shea is an Olympian, TV personality and former winner of Love Island: I can't stomach fish, never have and never will be able to. I wish I did though because it would open up so many meal options.

Stephen McAllister, chef-proprietor of Spitalfields and The Pigs Ear in Dublin: Chinese black vinegar. I just can't handle the fermented smell, makes me gag.

Sene Naoupu, Ireland women's rugby union international: Tough one, I eat almost everything.

Richie Castillo, chef with a pop-up restaurant, Bahay: I can't stand kidneys. On my first day at my first ever job in a kitchen, there was steak and kidney pie on the menu. The iron taste is too much, still to this day I hate it.

Tom Kerridge, chef and restaurateur: I'm allergic to shellfish so sadly that's a no-go for me.

Sarah Breen, co-author of Aisling and the City: I haven't eaten meat since I was 11. I got food poisoning from a chicken sandwich on the way to a family wedding and was quite sick for the whole thing. I told all the assembled family members that I was never eating meat again and, well, I couldn't really go back on it.

Caitlin Ruth, chef with a food truck based in West Cork: I'm allergic to shellfish, strawberries, mangoes and wheat - a total bummer for a chef.

Sham Hanifa, chef-proprietor, The Cottage restaurant, Carrick-on-Shannon: I am very adventurous, especially when it comes to food, but I just can't eat kidney. Just the taste and texture put me off – it's a big no no for me.

Christine Walsh, head chef at Éan, Galway: Quite literally, I can't stomach oysters. I used to love them, but a few years ago any time I ate them I would be viciously sick. I've had them about three or four times since, different oysters from different areas, and the aftermath is always the same. I can confidently say I'll never eat another raw oyster ever again.

Sarah Battle, home economist and lifestyle content creator: Cucumber. I find the taste really overpowering.

Ryan Mangan, human anatomy graduate who shares his recipe on Instagram @TheFoodAnatomist: I can't stomach traditional mac & cheese, but I love a vegan version.

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