British baker Richard Hart, owner of Green Rhino in Mexico City, issued a public apology after controversial comments on Mexican bread and wheat in an April 2024 podcast. In his message, he acknowledged his mistake and vowed to learn from the experience. The controversy arose from statements that downplayed the country's bread-making tradition.
Richard Hart, founder of the Green Rhino bakery in Mexico City, apologized on Monday via Instagram for his comments on Mexican bread culture. In a Danish podcast, Pop Foodie Radio, recorded on April 19, 2024, Hart stated that Mexico lacks 'much bread culture' and that local wheat 'is not good' because it is processed with additives. He said consumption focuses on sweet bread, likening it to pastries, and that Mexicans view the taco as their sandwich, indirectly referring to bolillos and teleras as 'ugly white buns' that are cheap and industrially made for tortas.
Hart, known for collaborating with René Redzepi on Hart Bageri in Copenhagen and as head baker at Tartine Bakery in California, inspired the character Marcus in the series The Bear. Green Rhino opened in June 2024 at Tonalá 121, Roma Norte neighborhood, Cuauhtémoc borough. The venue offers savory bread from $60 to $165, sweet bread from $45, and items like Christmas panettones.
In his apology, Hart wrote: 'Regarding the comments I made about Mexican bread culture, I have listened to the conversation on social media and read your messages. I want to offer a clear and sincere apology. I was wrong, and I deeply regret it.' He added: 'In this country, I am a guest and I forgot to act as such.' He promised to 'listen more and speak less,' showing respect through actions toward Mexican culture.
The controversy went viral recently, leading to disabled comments on Green Rhino's Instagram due to backlash. Hart also mentioned bureaucratic challenges in Mexico, such as payments to expedite constructions.