Last night, Simon Cowell learned that he really needs to stick to what he knows best: manipulating innocent young pop wannabes. Or at least, we sure hope that Simon Cowell learned that last night, because his attempts at turning his reality –style TV contest expertise to the world of cooking was something of an embarrassment and frankly, the ratings say it all.

Food Glorious Food, presented by Carol Vorderman, was not only a flop in the viewer ratings but was described by The Guardian as “a bad cover version of other food shows.” With hints of Masterchef and The Great British Bake-Off running through Cowell’s new venture, it seems that the BBC have little to fear when it comes to this new kid in food-town. Just 2.6 million viewers tuned in to watch the show’s debut, according to www.tellymix.co.uk.

The aim of the show was for competitors to create a meal that will eventually be sold on the shelves of Marks and Spencer. We imagine the management team at the classy food store is already regretting its decision to get involved in the show. One competitor put so much booze in their small jelly (over £10’s worth) that it would have to be sold alongside the spirits, rather than in the dessert section, it seems. Cowell may be off-screen in this show, but The Guardian reports, his usual talent contest tactics are more than tangible, with one contestant confessing that she treads one of her key ingredients with her feet. The Great British Masterchef’s Got A Talent Factor, anyone? 

Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell: The proof was in the pudding for Food Glorious Food