Masterchef primping

sir – At a time when many families are having to choose between heating and eating, I find programmes like Masterchef obscene (Letters, April 25).

They take perfectly good food and primp it and prod it until it bears no resemblance to the fresh ingredients. Many are feeding a family of four on less than the cost of the ingredients for just one of these pretentious dishes.

You don’t need to gild a lily. It is difficult to better chargrilled lamb cutlets with a piquant sauce, followed by an apple pie made with Bramleys and either Coxes or Braeburns.

Delia Smith and Rick Stein are my heroes for not playing with their food.

Lynette Johnson

Udny, Aberdeenshire