Diddy’s Peanut Butter Burger Sparks Chef Showdown
Here’s the lowdown: when Sean “Diddy” Combs unveiled his peanut butter–and–jelly burger, the culinary community flipped the script. In an Instagram clip posted April 10, the music mogul layered a glossy beef patty with creamy peanut butter, a dollop of grape jelly and a handful of crushed potato chips. Almost instantly, star chefs weighed in—and their verdicts couldn’t have been more varied.
Top of the list was Gordon Ramsay, who told TMZ on April 12 that he respects boundary-pushing but drew the line at sticky sandwiches on beef. “I’m all for flavor mash-ups,” Ramsay said, “but peanut butter on a charred patty? I don’t fancy that texture.” Meanwhile, according to an exclusive chat with Padma Lakshmi in People Magazine, the former “Top Chef” host admitted she’d sample Diddy’s creation “out of curiosity,” comparing it to Elvis Presley’s peanut-butter-and-banana sandwich. Lakshmi added, “Food is about fun—if it works, it works.”
Chef Marcus Samuelsson, speaking to Eater on April 13, struck a middle ground. He praised the hip-hop mogul’s fearlessness: “Diddy’s never been someone to play it safe. This is a conversation starter, and that’s what creativity is all about.” But Samuelsson also cautioned home cooks: “Balance your sweet spreads with a bit of heat—maybe add a slice of jalapeño to cut through the richness.”
On the flip side, celebrity pitmaster Aaron Franklin, featured in Food & Wine, called the combo “a hard pass,” insisting that peanut butter’s fat content can overwhelm a well-seasoned patty. Franklin’s frank assessment drew nods on Twitter from barbecue purists, while some fans tagged chefs with GIFs of dancing burger emojis.
Social media reactions have been equally enthralling. The hashtag #PBnJBurger trended on Instagram Reels, where influencers like @ChefMollyBlog offered tips for a deconstructed version—grilled peanut-butter brioche buns served alongside sliders for customizable dipping.
Beyond the buzz, this taste-test feud underscores a bigger trend: the rise of unconventional burger toppings. From kimchi-gochujang slaw to sriracha mayo, chefs now chase that viral “wow” factor. Diddy’s entry may not end up on every menu, but it’s already ignited discussion across kitchens nationwide.
And there you have it—peanut butter meets prime beef and divides the experts. Make of that what you will.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, Eater, TMZ, Food & Wine
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
