Diners at one of Rick Stein’s restaurants were disappointed, with one calling the fish and chips ‘the worst they’d ever tried’. Gary Hanna, who runs the restaurant review YouTube channel Gary Eats, said he was so let down by the food that he even sent his meal back.

The chef and TV presenter owns a fish and chip shop in Padstow, Cornwall. A takeaway serving of haddock and chips is £15.95, going up to £19.95 for sit-down customers. Gary said of his meal: “I had his fish and chips and I’ve got to say they were disappointing. In fact, I actually called it out and said it was a tourist trap.” He even gave the restaurant a second chance, going back again to see if his first disappointment was a fluke. He said it wasn’t, and claimed the food was not worth the 20-minute wait.

The reviewer said it was “not a good piece of fish at all”, that the chips were “a bit dry”, the scampi “mass-produced mush”, and mushy peas “rubbish”.

Others on TripAdvisor were also left disappointed by Rick Stein’s fish and chips. One said: “Honestly the worst fish and chips I have ever tried! Chips and fish batter were absolutely saturated with oil and the curry sauce was like dishwater with a hint of curry.”

Another added: “Save you money guys and support the local fish and chip outlet in Padstow. The quality and portion size of our Rick Stein order was appalling.”

While a third said: “Initially thought there was a mistake and we had child size portions.” Another said: “Pure grease, well well overpriced not even a nice fish and chips, mushy peas if you could call them that watery paste.”

Someone else wrote: “We waited a very long time outside in the cold only to be disappointed with the food.

“The portions were minimal in size and not proportionate to the price of the meal. We also thought that basics like mayonnaise and tartare sauce would be included in the price”.

Rick Stein owns six restaurants and cafes in Padstow as well as a gift shop, pub and cookery school. His presence in the town has led to it being nicknamed Padstein.

The Daily Express contacted Rick Stein for comment.