Celebrity amateur cooks ranked by pros: From Brooklyn Beckham and Meghan Markle to Vogue Williams and Millie Mackintosh, chefs deliver their verdicts on ‘gifted’ stars… and those who should hang up their aprons

In recent times, celebrity cooking and lifestyle content has boomed, giving fans a glimpse into famous faces’ diets, go-to recipes, favourite dishes and skills around the kitchen.

While reality TV stars such as Megan McKenna and Ferne McCann regularly draw praise for their comforting, home-cooked family meals, other big names have left fans recoiling in horror, with some accused of butchering recipes altogether.

Following the launch of his high-budget online series, Cookin’ with Brooklyn, Brooklyn Beckham drew plenty of attention – and criticism – for his unconventional takes on fresh pasta, fried chicken and globally inspired dishes.

Critics on Reddit even suggested the 27-year-old’s videos were ‘rage bait’, while others branded him a ‘nepo brat’ who ‘thinks he is a chef’.

So, in a world where every recipe can be carefully curated for the internet to judge, who really knows their way around a kitchen, which stars are surprisingly good cooks, and which celebrities should hang up the apron?

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Tower Tandoori Head Chef Saifur Rahman, and Colonel Saab Executive Chef Sohan Bhandari, who cooks for celebrity guests Jennifer Coolidge, Jackie Chan and Reese Witherspoon, give their verdicts…

HANG UP YOUR APRON… 

Brooklyn Beckham

Following the launch of his high-budget online series, Cookin’ with Brooklyn, the 27-year-old son of David and Victoria Beckham quickly became one of the internet’s most talked-about celebrity cooks – though largely for the wrong reasons. 

Brooklyn came under fire after reports claimed his eight-part Facebook Watch series cost around $100,000 (£75,000) per episode, despite him carrying out basic cooking tasks, such as putting together sandwiches or boiling fresh pasta – all with the help of a large production crew.

His attempts at more ambitious dishes, including homemade fresh pasta, fried chicken and other global recipes, has also drawn criticism, with viewers questioning his techniques and culinary knowledge. 

In one clip, Brooklyn left Italians enraged after burning the guanciale (bacon lardons) in his spaghetti carbonara. In another, he claimed he’d ‘mastered’ fried chicken that had been cooked in $20 avocado oil, with fans pointing out that the meat had been undercooked. 

On a Reddit thread, users branded the videos ‘rage bait’, while others labelled him a ‘nepo baby’ who ‘thinks he’s a chef’, arguing his famous surname had opened doors that aspiring cooks could only dream of.

Rahman: ‘People have felt disconnected from Brooklyn’s content and there’ve been moments that have gone viral for the wrong reasons because basic techniques or decisions have been questioned, which has made the conversation focus on his ability rather than the food itself. 

‘Building trust as a chef takes years of repetition, mistakes and learning, and audiences are good at recognising whether someone has genuinely earned that trust.’

Bhandari: ‘My advice would simply be to spend more time mastering the fundamentals because confidence in the kitchen comes from experience, not from creating the perfect photograph.’ 

Meghan Markle 

When Meghan Markle released her first cookery show earlier in 2025, she promised to ‘elevate the ordinary’ with a series of culinary tips inspired by her experiments in her Montecito mansion.

Instead, the Duchess of Sussex, 44, left viewers scratching their heads with a series of ‘lacklustre’ recipes, unorthodox methods, and a pasta dish that sparked fury among Italians.

Her more recent forays in the kitchen have fared no better, with a photoshoot for her lifestyle website, As Ever, in October attracting swathes of criticism online for an apparent gaffe with a piece of jam-making equipment.

Her long-awaited cooking show, With Love, Meghan, was similarly met by a wave of winces as viewers struggle to get their heads around some of the Duchess’s peculiar recipes and food preparation hacks, and overly polished aesthetic. 

A catalogue of culinary blunders include cooking spaghetti in a skillet, chopping garlic with a small paring knife, serving sandwiches topped with over-easy eggs, transferring pretzels to a plastic bag, and grilling lettuce to boost its flavour.

Rahman: ‘With Love Meghan had all the ingredients of a successful lifestyle show and she had all the beautiful presentation and celeb guests, but it felt far too polished and disconnected from everyday cooking. 

‘The entire show was highly curated and it lacked the warmth and practicality that people look for in this genre. With cooking, we want to feel invited into someone’s real world, and with Meghan it has always felt like we’re watching an advert for a particular image.’ 

Joe Swash 

EastEnders star Joe Swash has also found himself on the receiving end of criticism after sharing family cooking videos on social media. 

While his relaxed, throw-it-all-in approach has won some fans, others have questioned his food hygiene, preparation methods and chaotic style in the kitchen, with clips regularly sparking debate across social media. 

In one video posted to his Instagram page, he is seen alongside daughter Rose, whom he shares with wife Stacey Solomon, clumsily making a pavlova from scratch, with fans advising the actor that he should have first used a balloon whisk rather than a paddle for the best result.

Rahman: ‘Joe Swash is actually a very good example of a celebrity who’s likeable on screen but hasn’t really translated that personality into a convincing cooking brand. 

‘Joe’s appeal has always been his humour and personality, and that doesn’t create any authority around cooking for him. When celebrities move into food content, they need to give viewers something they can’t get from any other presenter. 

‘A warm personality is a great starting point, but it needs to be paired with a clear food identity, and without that, the cooking can feel more like an attempt to get into a new vertical instead of a genuine passion project.’ 

Millie Mackintosh 

Former Made in Chelsea star Millie Mackintosh frequently shares healthy recipes with her followers on Instagram, but not every dish has gone down well. 

Some fans have criticised her meals for being overly restrictive, lacking flavour and using unconventional ingredients in traditional dishes, while others have questioned whether her wellness-focused approach is realistic for the average family.

In a recent clip, she elevated a simple Italian pasta dish with the addition of anchovy fillets – an unusual take some fans called ‘inedible’. 

Bhandari: ‘Millie has a great eye for style and presentation. In cooking though, flavour will always be the most important part of the experience. 

‘A beautiful dish becomes unforgettable when it tastes just as good as it looks.’

Paris Hilton 

Paris Hilton’s viral Cooking With Paris series became a hit for its entertainment value, but viewers were left baffled by some of her kitchen habits. 

From wearing fingerless gloves while preparing food to struggling with basic techniques and using unconventional methods, many concluded the show was intentionally chaotic rather than a serious attempt at cooking. 

In a video that saw her treat her family to her viral ‘sliving lasagne’, the finished result appeared dry with a lack of bubbly melted cheese, as the top layer of the classic Italian dish was covered in dry and curling pasta sheets.

Rahman: ‘I don’t think she was ever trying to convince audiences that she was a trained chef and really the appeal came from the contrast between her glamorous image and the chaotic relationship with cooking. 

‘If you judge it purely as a cooking show, of course it falls short, but I’m not sure how many people were trusting Paris Hilton for top tier cooking advice. As comedy and entertainment, it was great!’

Gwyneth Paltrow 

Gwyneth Paltrow has built an entire wellness empire around healthy eating through Goop, but her approach has long divided opinion. 

While many admire her focus on fresh, organic ingredients, critics have accused her of promoting unrealistic or overly restrictive eating habits, with some nutrition experts raising concerns about the influence of her advice. 

Others have also questioned her cooking techniques after appeared to show meat and fish being served noticeably undercooked. 

In a YouTube video where she rustled up a Miso Salmon dish with Bok Choy and Asparagus, one critic wrote: ‘The salmon is slightly undercooked.’

Rahman: ‘Probably one of my least favourites here, Gwyneth Paltrow is a good example of how being a successful wellness figure doesn’t make someone a trusted food personality. 

‘Her approach to food has always been closely linked with health and restriction – that’s also where so much of the (earned) criticism has come from. A lot of people find her version of healthy eating difficult to relate to because it can feel unrealistic, expensive and disconnected from how most people actually eat day to day. 

‘Why on earth anyone would trust the brain behind Goop to give them cooking advice is beyond me but we’re here now. People want food they can realistically make and ENJOY.’

Vogue Williams   

Vogue Williams has shared plenty of family recipes online, but one cooking video prompted concern after viewers accused her of repeatedly cross-contaminating kitchen surfaces by handling raw meat before touching utensils, cupboards and other ingredients without washing her hands. 

The clip quickly sparked debate among food hygiene-conscious fans.

Rahman: ‘And Vogue Williams is my other least favourite of the list. She’s built a successful lifestyle brand, but food content comes with a responsibility that other lifestyle content doesn’t always have. 

‘If someone shares a fashion choice or home trend, viewers might copy the style. If someone shares cooking advice, viewers may copy their preparation methods, which means basic food safety matters… 

‘Vogue has faced criticism over poor kitchen hygiene and particularly concerns around handling raw meat and potential cross-contamination between surfaces. Whether intentional or not, that rightfully damages trust because viewers expect anyone creating cooking content to at the very least understand the basics of keeping food preparation safe.’

SUPRISINGLY GOOD 

Ferne McCann 

Former TOWIE star Ferne McCann has won praise for regularly sharing wholesome family meals made from scratch. 

From hearty pasta dishes to nutritious dinners for daughter Sunday, her recipes are often praised by followers for being practical, achievable and family-friendly. 

Bhandari: ‘Ferne has always come across as someone who enjoys cooking for family and friends rather than trying to impress people. That is what good home cooking is all about. When food feels honest and approachable, people are much more likely to give it a try themselves.’

Megan McKenna 

Megan McKenna, a singer and another former TOWIE star, is quietly developing a reputation as one of reality TV’s most accomplished home cooks, regularly sharing videos of homemade pies, Sunday roasts, slow-cooked stews and baked treats with followers. 

Fans often praise both her presentation and cooking ability, with many commenting that she could easily have pursued a career as a chef.

Bhandari: ‘As a singer, Megan understands that the little details make all the difference. Cooking is very similar. It is about patience, practice and putting a bit of yourself into every dish. That is what makes food memorable.’ 

Emma Grede 

Businesswoman Emma Grede frequently shares glimpses of meals she prepares at home, focusing on fresh, balanced dishes and nutritious breakfasts for her family.  

Her calm, confident approach in the kitchen has earned praise from followers, who appreciate recipes that feel both polished and genuinely achievable.

Bhandari: ‘Building a successful business takes consistency, and cooking is no different. Emma understands the value of quality, preparation and attention to detail. Those same principles are what create a great meal.’

David Beckham 

Unlike his son Brooklyn, David Beckham has become known for his genuine passion and talent in the kitchen. 

The former footballer regularly shares videos preparing homemade mushroom ravioli, paella, wood-fired pizzas, Sunday roasts and elaborate barbecue feasts.

His knife skills and attention to detail have impressed both fans and celebrity chefs, with Gordon Ramsay previously praising Beckham’s enthusiasm for cooking.

Rahman: ‘David Beckham works because food has become part of his personal identity rather than a sudden business move. 

‘His cooking content is centred around family which makes it feel believable, and he’s regularly spoken about cooking with his family which is what gives the content credibility. 

‘He doesn’t position himself as a chef teaching advanced techniques – which is one of the most important things that good celeb chefs do well. Instead, he presents cooking as something social and meaningful, which is what audiences respond to most. 

Professor Green 

Rapper Professor Green often shares videos of himself cooking at home, with dishes ranging from slow-cooked curries to homemade pasta and barbecue favourites.

And, in March, he elevated his position as a respected foodie and cook by launching his very own ‘green’ takeaway in Glasgow: PG Fast Food, which offers salad boxes and rice bowls with premium proteins and fresh dressings at their core. 

Followers regularly compliment the rapper’s confidence in the kitchen, with many saying his meals look genuinely restaurant quality.

Rahman: ‘Kind of the opposite of Meghan Markle, Professor Green’s food content actually feels connected to his real life and doesn’t come off as a manufactured lifestyle image. 

‘He’s open about everyday cooking and making food accessible and he isn’t trying to compete with any professionals. He just brings his own perspective and personality into the kitchen, and focuses on the experience of cooking rather than using cooking as another way to sell celebrity.’