Food critic exposes the worst Aussie products of 2023
- Replies 14
In the world of gastronomy, 2023 was a year of bold experiments and daring new flavours.
But not all of these culinary adventures hit the mark, according to popular Australian food critic Russ Eats.
Known for his candid and often hilarious reviews, Russ has compiled his annual 'Stinker Awards', a list of the eight most disappointing products to grace supermarket shelves and takeaway menus in 2023.
Topping the list is a product that might make you question the sanity of food innovators: Coles' Special Burger Sauce Hot Cross Buns.
This bizarre concoction, complete with bits of dried pickle in the dough, was a gastronomic misfire that Russ said 'makes him sick' to think about.
'I still remember the smell opening the packet, it was like when you leave your washing in the washing machine for a few days,' he said.
Coming in at a close second was McDonald's controversial potato scallop.
Released in January for a limited time, this dish was not only a culinary disappointment but also sparked a nationwide debate.
Russ described the taste as akin to a 'sponge of oil' and an 'old man's heel'.
You can watch the first video of the Stinker Awards below:
Video source: TikTok/@russ.eats.
But the real controversy lay in the timing of the release.
'The reason these are so high up on the list is because they released them when we were having a potato shortage around the country,' Russ pointed out.
The third spot on the list was claimed by Fanta's mystery-flavoured drink.
The company kept the flavour under wraps, sparking weeks of speculation among Aussies.
When it was finally revealed to be Apple Strudel, the reaction was less than enthusiastic.
Russ likened the taste to 'gumption' and joked that it could be used to 'clean your toilet'.
'It was maybe green apple Little Tree air freshener for your car, but it wasn't apple strudel,' Russ claimed.
The much-hyped Prime Energy drink a product of YouTube star Logan Paul and famous boxer KSI—which sold at inflated prices starting at $12—was another letdown.
Despite the initial excitement, Russ described the taste as 'straight cordial', although he conceded that the orange flavour was 'okay'.
You can watch the second video of the Stinker Awards below:
Video source: TikTok/@russ.eats.
The hype around the beverage has now died down, and it is now available at convenience stores and supermarkets for a more reasonable price of $4.50.
Other products that made the list include Green's Vegemite Choc Chunk Brownie Mix, the new V Energy Drink recipe, Hungry Jack's Fried Chicken Boneless Pieces (which Russ has likened to 'home brand air-fried processed chicken'), and Monster's Java Loca Mocha (which he described as 'instant coffee that went cold').
You can find the complete list of products included in the '2023 Stinker Awards' below:
Members, have you tried any of these products? Do you agree with Russ's verdicts or is there a product you’d like to include in the ‘Stinker Awards’? Let us know in the comments below!
But not all of these culinary adventures hit the mark, according to popular Australian food critic Russ Eats.
Known for his candid and often hilarious reviews, Russ has compiled his annual 'Stinker Awards', a list of the eight most disappointing products to grace supermarket shelves and takeaway menus in 2023.
Topping the list is a product that might make you question the sanity of food innovators: Coles' Special Burger Sauce Hot Cross Buns.
This bizarre concoction, complete with bits of dried pickle in the dough, was a gastronomic misfire that Russ said 'makes him sick' to think about.
An Australian food critic has shared his list of the most disappointing products released in 2023. Image source: TikTok/@russ.eats.
'I still remember the smell opening the packet, it was like when you leave your washing in the washing machine for a few days,' he said.
Coming in at a close second was McDonald's controversial potato scallop.
Released in January for a limited time, this dish was not only a culinary disappointment but also sparked a nationwide debate.
Russ described the taste as akin to a 'sponge of oil' and an 'old man's heel'.
You can watch the first video of the Stinker Awards below:
Video source: TikTok/@russ.eats.
But the real controversy lay in the timing of the release.
'The reason these are so high up on the list is because they released them when we were having a potato shortage around the country,' Russ pointed out.
The third spot on the list was claimed by Fanta's mystery-flavoured drink.
The company kept the flavour under wraps, sparking weeks of speculation among Aussies.
When it was finally revealed to be Apple Strudel, the reaction was less than enthusiastic.
Russ likened the taste to 'gumption' and joked that it could be used to 'clean your toilet'.
'It was maybe green apple Little Tree air freshener for your car, but it wasn't apple strudel,' Russ claimed.
The much-hyped Prime Energy drink a product of YouTube star Logan Paul and famous boxer KSI—which sold at inflated prices starting at $12—was another letdown.
Despite the initial excitement, Russ described the taste as 'straight cordial', although he conceded that the orange flavour was 'okay'.
You can watch the second video of the Stinker Awards below:
Video source: TikTok/@russ.eats.
The hype around the beverage has now died down, and it is now available at convenience stores and supermarkets for a more reasonable price of $4.50.
Other products that made the list include Green's Vegemite Choc Chunk Brownie Mix, the new V Energy Drink recipe, Hungry Jack's Fried Chicken Boneless Pieces (which Russ has likened to 'home brand air-fried processed chicken'), and Monster's Java Loca Mocha (which he described as 'instant coffee that went cold').
You can find the complete list of products included in the '2023 Stinker Awards' below:
Last edited:
.png){kind=icon}
