Hugh Grant, the charming British actor known for iconic roles in Notting Hill, Love Actually, and Bridget Jones’s Diary, has recently revealed a surprising (and rather alarming) side of his personal life. While his wit and acting talent have won over audiences worldwide, his kitchen escapades have been less than stellar. In a candid interview, Hugh admitted to inadvertently giving his family food poisoning not once, but twice—earning him a dubious culinary reputation.

Let’s dive into the amusing yet slightly concerning details of Hugh Grant’s kitchen adventures and why his family might be happier if he stayed far away from the stove.

The Start of Hugh Grant’s Culinary Journey

At 64, Hugh Grant decided to take on the challenge of cooking for his family. What inspired him? According to Hugh, it all started with an obsession with barbecuing. He couldn’t stop buying barbecue equipment, and when winter rolled around, he moved his experiments indoors, swapping the grill for Le Creuset cookware.

While his enthusiasm for cooking is admirable, it seems his execution has left much to be desired. Hugh confessed that despite his best efforts, his culinary skills have resulted in less-than-appetizing outcomes, to put it mildly.

The Undercooked Chicken Incident

One of Hugh’s most memorable (and regrettable) kitchen disasters involved undercooked chicken. During a barbecue session, he used a meat thermometer but struggled to read it properly in the dim light. The result? Chicken that wasn’t cooked through—and, unfortunately, “worms all round” for the family.

His children were understandably horrified and have since begged him to retire from cooking. While Hugh’s culinary mishaps might make for a good laugh now, they highlight the importance of proper food safety, especially when dealing with poultry.

A Sense of Humor in the Kitchen

Despite his less-than-successful foray into cooking, Hugh’s sense of humor remains intact. When questioned further about his kitchen failures, he skillfully deflected with his signature wit, moving the conversation along with ease.

Renee Zellweger, his co-star in Bridget Jones’s Diary, couldn’t help but chuckle during their interview for Vogue. When she asked how Hugh failed to notice the chicken was undercooked, his quick change of subject only added to the hilarity.

Family Life: Hugh Grant’s True Joy

While cooking may not be his forte, Hugh’s love for his family is undeniable. As a father of five, he often shares humorous and heartwarming anecdotes about life at home.

During an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Hugh described his children’s playful antics, such as his daughter’s affectionate “chimpanzee hug” or his son’s mischievous habit of imitating his father’s pranks.

Despite joking about the chaos of parenting, Hugh has admitted that being away from his kids while working is tough. He once revealed that during the filming of The Undoing, he was overwhelmed by how much he missed them, often finding himself teary-eyed on set.

Lessons from Hugh’s Kitchen Mishaps

Hugh Grant’s culinary adventures may not inspire confidence in his cooking, but they do offer some valuable lessons for home cooks:

• Always Use a Meat Thermometer Correctly: Properly cooked chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Make sure you can read the thermometer clearly to avoid any risky guesses.
• Ensure Proper Lighting: If you’re grilling or cooking in low light, invest in a good light source to ensure your food is safely prepared.
• Learn from Mistakes: While Hugh might joke about his mishaps, every cooking failure is an opportunity to learn and improve.

A Culinary Comeback? Not Likely

Given his track record, Hugh Grant seems unlikely to pursue a second career as a chef. However, his honesty and humor about his kitchen disasters make him all the more relatable. Who hasn’t had a cooking fail or two?

Still, his family might breathe a sigh of relief if he sticks to ordering takeout or leaving the cooking to someone else.

Conclusion: Hugh Grant’s Endearing Imperfections

Hugh Grant may not be a Michelin-star chef, but his candid tales of kitchen chaos remind us that even celebrities aren’t perfect. From undercooked chicken to his children’s hilarious pleas for him to stop cooking, Hugh’s culinary adventures are a testament to the importance of humor and humility.

While he continues to delight fans with his charm and wit, here’s hoping his family gets their meals from a more reliable source. After all, it’s not every day you hear about a Hollywood star giving their family worms—twice.

For now, we’ll stick to enjoying Hugh Grant’s talents on the screen and leave the cooking to the professionals!