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00:00Welcome to the taste test restaurant.
00:05We've been expecting you.
00:07This is no ordinary eatery.
00:10It's time to tuck it.
00:12It's where diners put supermarket foods to the test.
00:16Service on the path.
00:18And try before they buy.
00:20I actually think it's compostable plaster.
00:23Tom Reed Wilson is in charge.
00:26Oh, I say, my first guests.
00:28Helping our diners discover which products pack a flavor punch.
00:33This is perfect. It's delicious.
00:36And which missed the mark.
00:38That's like 18 plus the scene. I'm sorry.
00:41As we find out which supermarket favorites really offer good value for money.
00:48With that bigger saving, who would go for the bargain?
00:51Oh.
00:52While in the kitchen, chef Mike Reed is on a mission.
00:57It's always about speed and efficiency.
01:00To discover the tricks of the supermarket trade.
01:03The supermarkets have one more secret up their sleeve.
01:06To help you decide where to spend and where to save.
01:1199p from Audi.
01:14What absolute value.
01:16This time.
01:18I hear footfall.
01:20Join us for ready meals and pre-prepared foods.
01:23Wow, look at those.
01:24From hoisin bao buns.
01:26Ooh.
01:27To sticky toffee pudding.
01:28Dangerous.
01:29How do you stop tucking into that?
01:31Lasagna to fish pie.
01:33Smells very fishy.
01:34This shirt.
01:35Our diners will look at the good.
01:37That's a winner.
01:38Give me sugar.
01:39The bad.
01:40This is left a funky case in my mouth.
01:42And the ugly.
01:43I think you could sold a shoe with it.
01:45So you know what to pop in your trolley.
01:47And can eat well.
01:48Even if you're in a hurry.
01:50Hmm.
01:51That was a good noise.
01:52I want some of that.
02:03I'm Tom Reed Wilson.
02:05And welcome to the taste test restaurant.
02:09This is no ordinary restaurant.
02:12Because the meals we serve are from Britain's biggest supermarkets.
02:16Now today is all about that boon of the busy person.
02:20Ready meals and pre-prepared foods.
02:23They can at their best be a terrific culinary solution.
02:27But are they worth the money?
02:32Upstairs in the restaurant.
02:33My magical team is straining every sinew to get its spick and span.
02:40Meanwhile downstairs in the kitchen.
02:42Our super chef and sorcerer of the saucepan.
02:45Mike Reed is prepping for service.
02:48I'm excited about today.
02:50I'm really looking forward to showcasing some of the best ready meals that we have in the country.
02:57With Mike busy preparing the food.
02:59The first diners have arrived at the taste test restaurant.
03:03Oh, I have company.
03:05Tonight's taste testers include.
03:07May I convey you to your table.
03:09A doting dad who cooks for his daughters.
03:12Am I sitting opposite you two?
03:13You might so.
03:14Dad.
03:16Two singletons too busy to find love.
03:18Please make yourselves comfortable.
03:20This is like a first date.
03:22Hello.
03:23A pair of foodie friends.
03:25I'm dazzled by the sartorial wizardry in this room.
03:28Oh, welcome.
03:30A couple of passionate home cooks.
03:32I'm going to indicate your path.
03:34It's just round here.
03:35Thank you very much.
03:36A father and son who don't like cooking.
03:39Do come through.
03:42And a quartet of firefighters who grab food on the go.
03:46Here's your table.
03:47Thanks very much.
03:48The guests are about to enjoy six ready meals and pre-prepared foods from a starter through
03:54to pudding.
03:55They will be served three versions of each.
03:58I must admit, I'm looking forward to this.
04:01After tasting all three, they'll vote for their favorite.
04:08Now your starters are about to arrive.
04:11It's that toothsome import from China that's sweeping the nation.
04:15Hoisin Duck Bao Buns.
04:21Our diners will taste test three brands of Bao Buns.
04:26Two of the brands are frozen and one is fresh.
04:30The options are Itzu Frozen Hoisin Duck Bao Buns.
04:36Aldi Let's Party Frozen Hoisin Duck Bao Buns.
04:41And Tesco Fresh Hoisin Duck Steamed Buns.
04:45Okay guys, so we're going first with four twos.
04:49Goodbye Bao Buns.
04:51Your Bao Buns starters are arriving.
04:53I'm champing at the bid to hear your thoughts.
04:57Each brand is labelled A, B or C, but neither the diners nor Tom know which one is which.
05:05That is a good looking Bao Buns.
05:09I've seen some Bao Buns in my time.
05:11Diners, it's time to taste Bao Bun A.
05:17Mmm.
05:24Incredibly chewy.
05:26I actually think it's compostable plastic.
05:29Honestly, I like the filling.
05:32I'm glad you are.
05:33Hello, Belle.
05:36Hello, Belle.
05:37Hello, Victoria.
05:39They're terribly pretty things, aren't they?
05:40They're beautiful, but it's actually, there's a lot of outside and not enough filling.
05:46When you got to the middle, it was jolly good.
05:48It was lovely.
05:49You had to excavate.
05:53Will Bao Bun B be a more popular option?
05:57It's very satisfying to say, Bao Bun B.
06:04Terence and Baxter.
06:06What about Bao Bun B?
06:08Yeah, it was quite doughy, I would say.
06:10But there was more meat in it as well.
06:12What about the outer casing with B?
06:13I would say it was more chewy than A, actually.
06:16Oh, really?
06:17Yeah, yeah.
06:18But good fillings?
06:19Yes.
06:20Good fillings, yeah.
06:21Good fillings, yeah.
06:22Good fillings, yeah.
06:23Good fillings, yeah.
06:24Feelings are coming out on top at the moment.
06:27Will Bao Bun C also be a hit with the diners?
06:32Oh, wow.
06:34That is a smooth-looking Bao Bun.
06:36This one's, like, more, um, I don't know, squishy or, like, mushy.
06:40That's like a Bao Bun for when you get in a bit drunk.
06:44Jack, did I hear you say that Bao Bun C was sort of shank of the evening food?
06:49I think so.
06:50Oh.
06:51That's when you've had one too many tequilas, maybe.
06:53So is that a good or a bad review?
06:55Depends how many tequilas you've had, I guess.
06:58What do you think of Bao Bun C, Bella?
07:00I thought it was really good, actually.
07:02Is it maybe the winner for dough?
07:04Because I've not heard wonderful things about the dough of the other two.
07:08I think the dough is best on C for me.
07:10Yeah, I think so.
07:11Oh, wow.
07:12You agree on Bao Buns, which is a very good start.
07:14Always a good sign.
07:15Yep.
07:19So with all Bao Buns tasted, it's time for the diners to decide the winner.
07:25Diners, it's time to cast your votes for your favorite Bao Bun, A, B, or C.
07:33The buns the diners are voting on have been microwaved, which may account for their chewy exteriors.
07:43The manufacturers suggest a couple of cooking methods.
07:47So Chef Mike will test these out and cook one of the frozen brands two ways.
07:52So in my restaurant, I would usually steam Bao Buns.
07:59But all of these have been microwaved.
08:01And I suspect that would affect how fluffy the bun will be in the end.
08:06So I'm going to put it to the test by steaming some and microwaving others.
08:10To microwave these, the instructions are sprinkle it with a little bit of water to generate steam.
08:16And then we're going to clean film it, which should help keep it moist as it's cooking.
08:27The ones in the steamer are going to take much longer to cook, around 14 minutes.
08:32The ones in the microwave, it's just over a minute.
08:36After cooking both for the recommended times, how do they compare?
08:41I can see a difference between the two straight away.
08:43I feel like the steam version have grown more than these ones.
08:48So it's going to be interesting if I put it next to each other, if we can see that.
08:51And remember, they all came out the same packet.
08:54Exactly the same product.
08:56This one is far softer to touch than this one.
08:59So far as the texture of the bun, the steamed ones trump the microwaved.
09:05But what about the filling?
09:07So let's cut open and see if we can see a difference.
09:09If we put these side by side, the meat in the middle of our steamed version looks juicier, softer.
09:19The sauce is a little bit more released.
09:21You can see these microwaved ones a little bit drier.
09:24So for me, it's totally worth waiting that little bit longer to steam them to get that extra fluff factor.
09:30Meanwhile, back in the restaurant, the diners have chosen their favorite bun.
09:37It's the moment of truth.
09:39Diners, your votes have been counted and I can reveal the winning bao bun.
09:45I'm delighted to say, simply because I like to say it, it's bao bun B.
09:54Good, yes.
09:58Bao bun B is Testo's offering.
10:02Interestingly, the one that you chose was the only fresh one.
10:07The other two were frozen.
10:09So in the battle of the bao buns, Tesco is the winner at £4.10 for a 160 gram pack.
10:20Aldi comes in second at £1.99 for a 224 gram pack, the cheapest of the buns.
10:27And finally, Itzu in third place at £4.25 for a 270 gram pack.
10:37Oh, well we have a whole hearted winner.
10:42The diners have decided, when it comes to bao buns, fresh is best and Tesco comes out on top.
10:49Coming up.
10:53All right guys, these first ones are ready.
10:56Chef Mike dishes up a crowd-pleasing ready meal.
10:59Tikka masala.
11:01But not everyone is impressed.
11:02This one looks a bit like dog food.
11:04Welcome back to the Taste Test restaurant, where our ravenous diners are munching through many a meal to help you decide what to buy in the supermarket.
11:29Next, we're serving classics from Italy and Asia, and this is where ready meals really come into their own.
11:37These take about 60 minutes, so I need to get them in the oven quick.
11:42Diners, it's time for your next taste test, and it's lasagna.
11:47It's lasagna.
11:49So I thought I'd tell you that lasagna comes from the Latin word for chamber pot.
11:55Because the Roman lasagna dishes looked rather like chamber pots.
11:59And I tell you this, not because any of your lasagnas were made in potties,
12:03but I do hope you're potty about our lasagnas.
12:07The battle of the lasagnas is a three-way fight between premium, mid-range, and budget supermarkets.
12:17All the dishes have been cooked from frozen.
12:20Service, guys, please.
12:22Perfect, good timing. Let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go.
12:26Here come your lasagnas.
12:28Our diners will be choosing between
12:31Waitrose beef lasagna with Chianti and vintage cheddar for two,
12:36Iceland lasagna for one,
12:39and Sainsbury's beef lasagna for one.
12:42Oh, it smells so good.
12:46I mean, this is very fire station-y food, isn't it?
12:49This is us to it, too.
12:51Dear diners, it's time to tuck in to lasagna A.
12:57There's no meat in this one.
13:02That is literally just pasta.
13:08No, that was awful.
13:10I think you could sole a shoe with it.
13:12Jessica, I thought I heard the words, you could sole a shoe with it.
13:17Well, yes.
13:19I mean, the taste isn't that bad.
13:20I don't think you can get past the whole, like, slapping of the shoe thing.
13:24So this does not cut the mustard?
13:26No, this doesn't cut the mustard at all.
13:28Maybe the only way is out.
13:31Diners, it's time to taste lasagna B.
13:34It's quite oily, though.
13:37Very oily.
13:38It's very oily.
13:39I'm getting mostly oiled.
13:41Now, Richard, lasagna B.
13:43Because I like to cook myself, and this is what this tastes like.
13:47The bechamel sauce is nice.
13:48I'm sold on this one.
13:49You're not wild about it.
13:50No, I was just not too fond of it, to be honest.
13:51That one or that one.
13:52Oh, I see.
13:53So it all rests on C for you.
13:54Yeah.
13:55Because it's not a patch on Richard's.
13:56That's the trouble, isn't it?
13:57You've set them all up for a fall.
13:58Can lasagna C make a better impression?
14:02I don't know if it's me, but it tastes like a sausage roll.
14:04I'm not one over my...
14:05We can do better than this at the fire station.
14:06Definitely.
14:07Well, these have gone down well.
14:08As fast as a fireman down a pole, John.
14:09Fairly well.
14:10So C is a favourite among the firefighters.
14:12Yes.
14:13Yes.
14:14Yes.
14:15Yes.
14:16Yes.
14:17Yes.
14:18Yes.
14:19Yes.
14:20Yes.
14:21Yes.
14:22Yes.
14:23Yes.
14:24Yes.
14:25Yes.
14:26Yes.
14:27Yes.
14:28Yes.
14:29Yes.
14:30Yes.
14:31Yes.
14:32Yes.
14:33Yes.
14:34Yes.
14:35No cheese.
14:36Yes.
14:37Yes.
14:38Yes.
14:39No cheese.
14:40Yes.
14:41Yes.
14:42Yes.
14:43No cheese.
14:44Yes.
14:45Yes, she didn't get any cheese.
14:46That's criminal in a lasagna.
14:47Dear diners.
14:49It's time to vote for your favourite lasagna.
14:52A, B or C.
14:59In the kitchen, Chef Mike is taking a forensic look at our supermarket lasagnas.
15:04For me, lasagna is all about the layers.
15:08So I have my trusty tweezers.
15:10I'm going to peel back the layers and see what's inside.
15:12I'm going to start with the Waitrose.
15:14It's the biggest of all of them.
15:16However, it is for two servings.
15:19And you can already see the amount of meat in this layer
15:22is very impressive.
15:24This is our first two pasta layers.
15:27Look at that, still packed full of meat.
15:30So that's three, and then we've got four.
15:32And meat underneath as well.
15:34This is a really good ready-made lasagna.
15:38But it is the most expensive.
15:40It has the highest percentage of meat at 29%.
15:44And as it's a larger two-person pack,
15:47it also has the greatest quantity of meat overall.
15:51Moving on to the Iceland lasagna,
15:53and it's at the other end of the price scale.
15:56It's only one pound.
15:58But as we peel back the first layer of pasta,
16:00you can see it's quite dry.
16:01There's not much meat sauce there.
16:03It's really quite sparse.
16:05But then the next layer in,
16:07a little bit of meat,
16:09nice amount of sauce in there as well.
16:11And then there's some meat and sauce underneath as well.
16:13This is 14% meat.
16:15I mean, if we're looking at it just against the price,
16:18for a quid,
16:19I'm not going to be complaining too much with that.
16:21Our third one from Sainsbury's is sitting in the middle,
16:25in terms of price point.
16:27Let's see how many layers we've got here.
16:29So we've got one.
16:31Nice amount of meat sauce in there.
16:33Two.
16:35Again, good amount of sauce.
16:37Three.
16:38So we've got three layers of pasta in this one.
16:39So same as the Iceland.
16:41But this sauce is definitely much richer.
16:44Looks like it's got a higher quantity of tomatoes in there.
16:47I can see some carrots in there.
16:49This is 16% beef mince versus the 14% in Iceland.
16:54So it's only a little bit more in terms of quantity.
16:58But I think that sauce definitely adds to the dish.
17:02Back in the restaurant, the results are in.
17:06The votes have been counted and we have a resounding victory
17:12by quite a long chalk for lasagna B,
17:17which is from Waitrose.
17:22So in the battle of the lasagnas,
17:25Waitrose is in first place at £5.85 for a double serving 700 gram pack.
17:33Sainsbury's is second at £2 for a 400 gram pack.
17:38And Iceland comes in third at just £1 for a 400 gram pack.
17:43The winning Waitrose lasagna is the priciest ready meal gram for gram.
17:49To clear the pitch ever so slightly, it is considerably more expensive.
17:55So with that in mind, would anybody change their mind for one of the other two?
18:01No.
18:02No.
18:03No.
18:04Everybody is in agreement.
18:05Yes.
18:06Yeah.
18:07Well, bravo diners.
18:10So in the frozen lasagna challenge, the premium brand is a popular winner.
18:16And with that, it's time for our restaurant guests to tuck into their next course.
18:22Dear diners, I'm very excited now because it's curry time.
18:28Yes.
18:29And more specifically, tikka masala.
18:33But which tikka masala will warm the cockles of your heart and which will leave you utterly frigid?
18:45Our diners will try three tikka masalas, which they will judge on taste alone.
18:51They won't know which brand is which.
18:54Come on guys, service please.
18:56Done.
18:57Our diners will be choosing between
19:00Lidl chef select chicken tikka masala with pilau rice.
19:05Waitrose chicken tikka masala and rice.
19:08And in a special twist, this round they'll also be trying a vegan alternative.
19:13Sainsbury's plant pioneers know chicken tikka masala with pilau rice.
19:18But will our diners detect that one of the curries isn't chicken?
19:23Here come the curries.
19:25See, this one I think looks a bit like dog food.
19:36Diners, time to tuck in to curry A.
19:41The actual curry's not bad. It is really tender.
19:49I don't think I like it.
19:50No?
19:51No.
19:52It's not a bad start.
19:53Hello my singles table.
19:55Hello.
19:56What do we think of curry A?
19:58It's a bit bland.
20:00It's a bit oily and bland, kind of a weird texture.
20:04Nothing says romance like tikka masala, that's it.
20:08The microwave one as well, yeah.
20:10Yeah.
20:11Very interesting.
20:12And I'm going to float away.
20:15The diners have two more curries to try.
20:19It's time to taste curry B.
20:28Is that meat and man?
20:29I don't know what that is.
20:31I don't think it's real chicken.
20:33Oh.
20:34It's got more flavour, but it's not got a kick, has it?
20:37Firefighters, there were some musical murmurs.
20:42Are we lingually aroused?
20:44More so than the last one, I think.
20:47So curry B is promising.
20:50Better than the first one, better than curry A.
20:52I actually really liked it.
20:53It wasn't quite tikka masala, I don't think.
20:56So every element wins so far in curry B.
20:59So far.
21:00Apart from the heat.
21:01You need more heat, firefighters.
21:03It's the first time and last time you'll ever say it.
21:08Finally, the third ready meal.
21:11Diners, please tuck in to curry C.
21:20The chicken's a bit dry.
21:21The sauce is not bad, though.
21:23I'd have heard A.
21:25This one's spicy.
21:26I think A is better.
21:28Well, Sandy, Jessica, I heard oodles of thoughts coming from this table.
21:34Concerning curry C.
21:36Yes.
21:37Like, sloppy and spicy at the same time.
21:39It's nice.
21:40Jessica, are you in concert?
21:41No, I'm not.
21:42No.
21:43It disagrees.
21:44We disagree.
21:45What do you think specifically of the chicken in C?
21:48Well, it's chicken.
21:50And that's always encouraging.
21:52And you're not convinced that all of them have been?
21:55No.
21:56We are concerned about beef.
21:58Isn't that chicken?
21:59Ah.
22:00Yeah.
22:01Well, I couldn't possibly say for now.
22:04Ooh.
22:05I feel like it's, um...
22:06I don't think it is.
22:08With the curries consumed, the diners must now decide which is the best.
22:14It's time to cast your votes for your favourite curry, A, B, or C.
22:22While the diners decide, Chef Mike wants to take a closer look at what's beneath the curry sauce.
22:30First sight looking at the chicken tikka masala from Lidl.
22:33I'm actually surprised by the amount of chicken.
22:36It's only 18%, but it looks plentiful.
22:40But when you look at it a little bit closer, you can see the lines on the chicken.
22:45And that's usually a sign of it being precooked and added to the sauce later.
22:50It's a great way of them saving costs.
22:52But what you gain in savings, you lose, in my opinion, in flavour.
22:57The next one is Sainsbury's plant-based option.
23:00They've gone with that almost braised chicken-fi sort of look.
23:04And they've definitely given the look of a meat-based product.
23:08But it's been made from a soy protein.
23:11Looks good, it's plentiful.
23:13I think once it's in the sauce,
23:15it's going to be interesting to see if the diners can pick out that that's not real chicken.
23:20Next, it's the most expensive curry containing 19% meat.
23:24The premium one that I'm testing is from Waitrose.
23:27Straight away, I want more chicken.
23:30It's four pieces, which is not enough.
23:33However, the quality of the chicken, I think, is much better.
23:38It's quite soft and moist and juicy.
23:41Also, it is British chicken.
23:44Big tick for me.
23:46So maybe one of those situations where it's quality over quantity.
23:50But it's going to be interesting to see what the diners think.
23:53Diners, the votes are in.
23:59And it's a much tighter victory this time.
24:03It's a victory for curry C, which is the Waitrose curry.
24:11So in the battle of the ready meal curries, all 400-gram packs,
24:16Waitrose chicken tikka masala and rice is the winner at £3.95.
24:21Little chicken tikka masala with pilau rice is second at £2.49.
24:28And our twist on the game, Sainsbury's plant pioneers
24:32no chicken tikka masala with pilau rice comes in third at £3.50.
24:38Currie B, some of you spotted, is a curry by plant pioneers.
24:45Yes, Jessica, it was plant-based.
24:50Now, I wonder if any of you, knowing it was plant-based,
24:54would go for it because it was still flavoursome
24:57and they're trying to reduce their meat consumption.
25:00Absolutely.
25:01I thought it was delicious.
25:02The sauce was very nice.
25:04Yes.
25:05So you would definitely opt for it.
25:07I would, yeah.
25:08Now, Dinahs, the winning curry, curry C from Waitrose,
25:12is £3.95 a pack versus the little option,
25:16second place, curry A, £2.49 a pack.
25:22So, with that big a saving, can I have a show of hands
25:26who would go for the bargain?
25:29Ooh!
25:30All but three.
25:32Oh, I say, so it really was a narrow victory.
25:36So, had our diners known the price of the curries,
25:39there may have been a different outcome.
25:41But in our taste test, Waitrose is the winner.
25:49Coming up, is there something fishy about this fish pie?
25:53I did not like that at all.
25:55And Chef Mike reveals a supermarket secret.
25:58It's really smoky in here now.
26:00To create the ultimate barbecue taste.
26:03Welcome back to the Taste Test restaurant,
26:21where we're sampling some of the nation's favourite ready foods.
26:25Now for something very warm and very comforting,
26:28made all the more comforting for the knowledge
26:31that the supermarkets have done the hard work for you.
26:37Our diners will be testing three versions
26:39of a ready meal classic.
26:42Right, guys, I'm gonna get this one in the oven.
26:43Can you get the rest ready, please?
26:45And all the food prep is being done
26:47in Chef Mike's kitchen below deck.
26:53Anchors away, me hearties!
26:56Yes, it's time for fish pie.
26:59But which fish pie will be your catch of the day?
27:02And which would you gladly see sink to the bottom of the deep blue sea?
27:07The fish pies in this round pit a brand leader
27:11against mid and budget supermarkets.
27:13All right, let's get waiters, please.
27:15Thank you, let's go, please.
27:17Oh, thank you, Matilda.
27:22They'll choose between Charlie Bigham's fish pie,
27:27Aldi-inspired cuisine fisherman's pie,
27:31and Sainsbury's fish pie.
27:35Diners, won't you please tuck in to fish pie A.
27:39It's quite thick, like the mash is quite thick, isn't it?
27:51The topping's nice, though.
27:53Cheesy, crispy.
27:55That was really dry, though.
27:56That literally needed water to put that down with.
27:58It was a little dry.
27:59I did not like that at all.
28:01Yeah, same.
28:03Richard, fish pie, another classic.
28:06For me, it's too much fish.
28:09Oh, really?
28:10It's the smoked fish that is overwhelming our taste buds,
28:14and then we're thinking it's too much fish.
28:16Yeah, I feel like the ratios are a bit off.
28:18Perhaps fish pie B will be more harmonious for our diners.
28:27I think it's quite cheesy.
28:28It means that the fish is not so potent,
28:31which I prefer, because I don't like.
28:33I reckon B would go down with children.
28:35It would, because it's quite simple.
28:37Processed.
28:39It's like the cheeseburger of fish pies.
28:42And finally, it's time to taste fish pie C.
28:53That's better.
28:54Way better.
28:55That one is hands down the best one.
28:57Yeah.
28:58I'll buy the long shot.
28:59And look at that for a chunk of fish.
29:01Yep.
29:02That's perfect.
29:03And salmon.
29:04Mmm.
29:05Hello, my leading ladies.
29:07Hello.
29:08I know you've got oodles and oodles of thoughts.
29:11On sea.
29:12It was wonderful.
29:13Oh!
29:14Head and shoulders above these two.
29:16It looks good, and it tastes good, and it's full of flavour.
29:20And fish-wise, what did you detect in here?
29:22Sermon and cod, yeah.
29:24Oh, nice melange.
29:25And even a bit of parsley.
29:26And the potato topping was just divine, wasn't it?
29:29And you should know, wearing the jewels of the sea.
29:32It's decision time.
29:36Delicious diners.
29:39Time to cast your votes for your favourite fish pie, A, B, or C.
29:48While the diners decide, in the kitchen, Mike's going to do a deep dive into the fish pies to see what they're made of.
29:56So this is Charlie Bigham, which is the brand leader.
30:01But let's have a look what's underneath.
30:03The salmon in there, very inviting for the eyes.
30:06You've also got smoked haddock and hake.
30:09Both beautiful flavours.
30:11Because what I love is the size of the fish, the chunks.
30:15I mean, it looks like a lot of fish in this fish pie.
30:18It's 26% fish.
30:20That's a great amount.
30:22The Charlie Bigham is a premium-priced pie.
30:25At the budget end of the market is Aldi.
30:28And here, the retailer uses some cost-saving tricks.
30:31The look really reminds me of school dinners.
30:34And when I look at the ingredients, I can see why.
30:37Because it's reconstituted potato.
30:39So let's have a look underneath now.
30:41To be honest, I'm struggling to see where the fish starts.
30:45The fish content is 15% in this one.
30:48So it's quite a lot less than the first one.
30:50I can start to see the pollock now.
30:52Because it's pollock only in this fish pie.
30:54So that's one of the ways they're able to put this at a much cheaper price point.
30:59So moving on to Sainsbury's.
31:01They've got 20% fish.
31:03Which is a combination of pollock and smoked hake.
31:06Which is a great fish.
31:07Again, more affordable than cod.
31:10But smoking it gives it another dimension.
31:12Will give it a little bit more punch.
31:14It's nice and crispy.
31:16The fish looks more plentiful in this one.
31:19Versus the Aldi.
31:20And you see the big chunks of fish here.
31:22I love that.
31:23That's what I want in my fish pie.
31:25For me, once you pull these apart, it's really clear to see where the money has gone in making these fish pies.
31:32But will the diners agree once they taste it?
31:35The results are in.
31:37Diners, we have a winner by a country mile.
31:42In fact, all but one of your votes.
31:46It was, appropriately enough, fish pie C.
31:52Which was Charlie Bigham's fish pie.
31:59So in the fish pie face off.
32:01Charlie Bigham is first at six pounds for a 340 gram pack.
32:07Aldi comes in second at one pound 39 for a 340 gram pack.
32:14And Sainsbury's third at three pounds 30 for a 400 gram pack.
32:22So on this taste test, most of our diners are willing to splash the cash and shell out for the more expensive fish pie.
32:31Well, diners, our fishy dishes are behind us and our meaty treats are before us with pulled pork.
32:40Pork.
32:41What a chorus.
32:42What a chorus.
32:43What a chorus.
32:45Our taste testers will choose between three supermarket brands of slow cooked pulled pork.
32:51Service.
32:52Agent.
32:53Ranging from mid to budget brands.
32:56They'll taste.
32:57Asda Smokey BBQ Pulled Pork.
33:02Aldi Oakhurst BBQ Pulled Pork.
33:07And Sainsbury's Smokey BBQ Pulled Pork.
33:12And I hear footfall.
33:19A looks very barbecue-y.
33:21That does not look appetizing to me, personally.
33:26Dear diners, time to tuck in to pulled pork A.
33:32It's not chewy, it's not fatty.
33:41I like that.
33:42Well, girls, I've come here because I heard a lot of musings between mastication.
33:47But I know they're all concerning A and I'd love to know what they are.
33:52We love it.
33:53It's delicious, yeah.
33:54That's your first love of the day?
33:56It is my first love of the day.
33:57And I could probably just finish that and then push it out to the side.
34:00What's tipped this into love?
34:02The sauce, it's a bit spicy, which is quite nice.
34:05It's tangy and it's chunky.
34:08And we don't have culinary discord again.
34:10We have culinary union over there.
34:12Yeah, we're totally united on this one.
34:14Oh, we are.
34:15Oh, this makes my heart sing.
34:17Yeah.
34:19Diners, won't you please tuck in to pulled pork B.
34:24You know, the actual pork for B is more flavourful than the pork of A.
34:33Yeah, I think the sauce isn't as sugary or sweet.
34:36Yeah.
34:37I've left you alone for two courses because I didn't want to be the irksamant at the wedding.
34:42Tell me about B.
34:44Actually, it doesn't look very appetising, so I wasn't that sure going in.
34:49But it's actually not too bad.
34:51So, not a rational delight, but very good on the tongue.
34:55Yeah, slightly.
34:56Better than I thought it would be.
34:57I see.
34:58Yeah.
34:59Yeah.
35:00And something not like that.
35:01Diners, time to tuck in to pulled pork scene.
35:08Now that's delicious.
35:09That's got a nice flavour as well.
35:11Tastes really oily.
35:13Like super good.
35:14Doesn't have a lot of barbecue.
35:16It's good chunks of meat though.
35:19Now pulled pork strikes me as good hearty fare when you're endlessly zipping up and down that pole, Adam.
35:26Let's talk about the pork first.
35:29T was completely fine if I hadn't tasted the other two in comparison.
35:33Yeah.
35:34And any heat?
35:35Does it pack a one?
35:36No.
35:37Nothing.
35:38Having tried all three options, there can be only one winner.
35:43Diners, time to cast your votes for your favourite pulled pork, A, B or C.
35:51While the diners make up their minds, Mike is in the kitchen to reveal a trick of the trade for injecting smoky flavour into a dish.
36:04One of the key things of a pulled pork is that smokiness.
36:08But it's very expensive for the supermarkets to be smoking their pulled pork.
36:12So one of the ways they achieve that is by introducing smoked salt and smoked water.
36:17And adding smoke flavour to salt is achievable in your own kitchen at home.
36:23So I've got a domestic smoker here.
36:25I'm going to experiment now making my own smoked salt.
36:29So I need something to trap the smoke inside.
36:32And then we're going to put the end of the smoke gun into the little hole.
36:37Take my trusty blowtorch.
36:39And then we're just going to burn the wood chips.
36:42The longer you smoke it, the more smoky flavour you'll get in there.
36:45And then you can use this smoked salt for whatever you like.
36:48You can add it to normal dishes, to your steak to get that smoke effect.
36:53I mean, it's really smoky in here now, but I want to taste some of this salt.
36:58Honestly, it's got so much burnt, woody, like, depth of flavour.
37:06It's great.
37:07This is the secret.
37:09Like, it's a great way of imparting flavour.
37:12But I wonder if the diners are going to appreciate the smoke in their pulled pork.
37:17Back in the restaurant, the votes have been counted.
37:20Well, diners, your votes are in.
37:24And it is a very marginal victory for pulled pork C.
37:34It is from Sainsbury's.
37:37So in the battle of the pulled porks,
37:41Sainsbury's is the winner at £6 for a 569 gram pack.
37:47Aldi is in second place at £2.99 for 400 grams.
37:54And Asda comes in third at £4.95 for a 500 gram pack.
38:00So the most expensive option has been the biggest crowd-pleaser.
38:05Well, diners, that one had a lot of jeopardy.
38:08Thank you very much indeed.
38:11Coming up...
38:12Sticky toffee pudding.
38:14Our diners tuck into everybody's favourite sweet treat.
38:17That's a winner. Give me sugar.
38:19And it all gets a bit when Harry met Sally.
38:22Ooh! That was a good noise.
38:25I want some of that.
38:27Ha, ha, ha.
38:34Ha, ha!
38:36Dearest diners, I think I've saved the very best until last
38:40dearest diners I think I've saved the very best until last because I have a
38:49very sweet tooth so I'm going to be living vicariously through you so make
38:54your reviews as detailed as possible so that I can almost taste it it's sticky
39:02toffee pudding almost there have we got waiters here these puddings are all
39:13premium supermarket varieties our diners will be choosing between M&S food
39:20gastropub sticky toffee pudding little deluxe sticky toffee pudding and
39:27exceptional by Asda buttery sticky toffee pudding we might as well go out with
39:46a bang oh diners time to tuck in to sticky toffee pudding a
39:57it tastes nice but it's just a drink and too much coffee I've braced myself
40:06talk to me is it wowing you absolutely clearly get wild too easily because for
40:14me it's a bit soggy the question is can a sticky toffee pudding be too moist I don't
40:21think she understands what sticky toffee pudding yeah I'm really sorry about this time look oh my
40:27goodness dad Richard you're practically inhaling it yeah I'm telling you so bad
40:31it's so bad will sticky toffee pudding B prove equally irresistible it's a bit chewy actually like
40:41it was so nice and soft there's quite dry are you human me can it just tickle my olfactory bulb
40:50oh tell me about B oh that was a good noise I want some of that whatever she's having yeah ah there's no words required absolutely divine it's light but it's crispy on the top it's moist I'm just going to slip this into my bag
41:00it's going to the way it's the final pudding of the night can see outshine the rest as tasty C is tasty I actually think though now I've had a few mouthfuls of that it is quite rich and sick
41:13it's the final pudding of the night can see outshine the rest as tasty see is tasty i actually
41:24think though now i've had a few mouthfuls of that it is quite rich and sickening whereas on a i could
41:29actually probably eat the whole thing i think it's just a little bit too rich now this is a very
41:35important review boys because you're on to the one that i find most visually arousing no don't like
41:41it at all oh no yeah sorry to disappoint too much and too rich it's like a tangy sort of taste i just
41:48yeah didn't like it well at least you're in agreement yes we're not gonna fight over this one
41:53the tasting is now over dear diners it's time to cast your final vote of the day
42:03for your favorite sticky toffee pudding a b or c
42:09in the kitchen mike is seeing if he can replicate the sources of the sticky toffee puddings
42:23because there are some noticeable differences between the brands
42:27and starting off with the ms sauce we have a dark mascovado sugar dark treacle and molasses
42:36all three of those ingredients are very rich very strong flavored which is why you've got such a deep
42:43color to this caramel asda have gone for mascovado sugar and a golden syrup which is why it's a little
42:51bit lighter in color it's definitely more of what i'd expect from a sticky toffee sauce
42:55and lidl have basically done a sugar syrup it's not a caramel so it's not got the same richness and
43:03umptuousness that you would have from a traditional caramel but it's a great cost effective way for them
43:08to get the price down on their sticky toffee
43:10back in the restaurant the results are in it is very close because there are two points between
43:18the winner second place and third place but the winner was sticky toffee pudding a
43:27which was asda's sticky toffee pudding
43:33so in the pudding showdown asda is in first place at four pounds for a 400 gram pack
43:42lidl is second at two pounds 99 for 450 grams and the most expensive m&s food comes in third
43:52at five pounds for a 230 gram pack
43:56well diners thank you so much for your endless mastication and your wonderful feedback
44:05once the diners have departed and the tables have been cleared it's time to review the evening
44:19well today's been a real mixed bag with brand leaders winning and budget options winning
44:25it goes to show with ready meals you really don't know which way the cookie is going to crumble
44:29all that remains is for me to wish that your tummies may always be full
44:35and your taste buds eternally tickled
44:39and your taste buds
45:09You
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