Viral US TikToker's mission to prove British food isn't bland after all

Kalani Smith, a TikTok star from Mount Juliet, Tennessee, is on a mission to change the way people view British food. Known online as Kalani Ghost Hunter, he has gained millions of followers by sharing his food reviews on social media. Initially, Kalani built his audience by exploring the paranormal, but he made a significant shift to focus on British cuisine. His follower count has skyrocketed to over three million on TikTok alone. Recently, during a trip to Cardiff, Wales, Kalani boldly claimed that the food at Cardiff Market is ten times better than what you would find at Camden Market in London. He explained, 'The most interesting thing about this journey is that the perception around the world, especially in the US, is that the food in the UK is bland and bad. I think my whole objective has been to document that this is not the case. ' Kalani believes that while every country has its share of less-than-stellar dishes, the UK also boasts some truly remarkable culinary offerings. He pointed out that many visitors to the UK only experience London, which limits their understanding of the diverse food culture found in other cities. Kalani has traveled extensively throughout the UK and has sampled a wide variety of regional dishes. His journey into food reviewing began when he tried a traditional roast dinner, which he described as a turning point in his career. Since then, he has focused on showcasing the best of British cuisine. One of the standout cuisines he discovered is the UK's curry scene, which he praised as 'untouchable. ' He noted that you can find excellent curry in many different parts of the UK. Kalani's reviews typically receive an impressive average of 1. 2 million views across all his social media platforms. During his recent tour of south Wales, he visited several cities, including Newport, Cardiff, Port Talbot, and Swansea. One of the highlights of his trip was tasting a Welsh cake from Cardiff Bakestones, which he described as 'absolutely incredible. ' He recalled a previous experience where he had a disappointing Welsh cake from a store, but the fresh one he tried in Cardiff changed his perspective. Kalani also enjoyed tacos from The Bearded Taco in Cardiff Market, stating that they were among the best he had ever tasted in the UK. In Swansea, he had a positive experience with cockles and laverbread, although he admitted that trying laverbread on its own was not a good idea. However, he faced some backlash from locals after giving a less-than-stellar review of Joe's Ice Cream, a beloved local treat. Kalani acknowledged the importance of balancing honesty with respect for local food traditions. He said, 'The key is you have to be respectful. If you watch any video that I do, even if it is negative, I try my best to be respectful. Each city has a dish that people are proud of, and if I don't think something tastes good, I'm not going to lie about it just to spare someone's feelings. ' Kalani understands that taste is subjective, and he aims to provide honest feedback while appreciating the passion that locals have for their signature dishes.