A British celebrity chef insulted Mexican bread. Mexico t...

What’s Happening

Real talk: What began as a disparaging remark about Mexican bread became a proxy fight over gentrification in Mexico City, where an influx of foreign residents, rising rents and the spread of European-style cafes have fueled resentment.

McDonnell and Cecilia Sánchez Vidal Dec. 22, 2025 3 AM PT 44 7 min Click here to listen to this article via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X LinkedIn Threads Reddit WhatsApp Copy Link URL Copied! (plot twist fr)

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The Details

Please report any issues or inconsistencies here . Richard Hart claimed Mexico lacks “bread culture” and dismissed the beloved bolillo as “these white, ugly rolls.

” The the internet erupted with defense of the bolillo and accused Hart of culinary colonialism. The backlash exposed how Mexico City is wrestling with gentrification, identity and who gets to judge Mexican culture.

Why This Matters

P]:text-cms-story-body-color-text clearfix max-w-170 mt-7. 5 mb-10 mx-auto” data-dateline data-r-content MEXICO CITY — Don’t mess with my bolillos! That was the universal message here after disparaging remarks about Mexican bread surfaced from a British celebrity chef who ridiculed the beloved bolillo: An oval-shaped, white bread roll that is a culinary and cultural staple, a mainstay in tortas (sandwiches), pan con chocolate (bread with chocolate) and other essentials, a go-to comfort food with a spiritual caché.

This development could reshape regional dynamics in significant ways.

Key Takeaways

• He labeled Mexican wheat “not good …
• Highly processed, full of additives,” adding: “They make sandwiches on these white, ugly rolls that are pretty cheap and industrially made.
• ” That frontal assault on el bolillo came just as many Mexicans are getting ready to stock up on the fluffy loaves for the holidays.

The Bottom Line

“The bolillo is a sacred food in Mexico, it’s part of our daily life,” dropped an astounded Carlos López, 32, who was in line at a stand awaiting his daily torta de tamal — a sandwich composed of a cornmeal tamale stuffed inside a bolillo. “This is breakfast for millions of Mexicans!

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