Not every day, a food video goes viral for all the wrong reasons, but that’s precisely what happened to this British food blogger.
When the food blogger took a trip to Sydney Fish Market and made a meal from one of Australia’s most extraordinary sea creatures: the Tasmanian Giant Crab.
What started as a typical ‘foodie in a foreign land’ adventure quickly turned into a social media firestorm, raising questions about conservation, culinary ethics, and the power of the internet to shape public opinion.
A crab like no other
Let’s set the scene. The Tasmanian Giant Crab isn’t your average seafood platter fare. Weighing in at up to 17.6kg and living as long as 30 years, these crabs are the bodybuilders of the sea—majestic, rare, and, as it turns out, highly controversial.
Their slow growth and late maturity make them especially vulnerable to overfishing, and conservationists have long warned that their numbers are dwindling.
So when Tod Inskip, known to his 1.8 million followers as Eating With Tod, filmed himself selecting a live, 15-year-old, 8.5kg Tasmanian Giant Crab (with a jaw-dropping $2000 price tag) from a tank, it was bound to raise eyebrows.
The video, which has now racked up over 1.4 million views, shows Tod holding the enormous crustacean, describing it as ‘like holding a bodybuilder of the sea,’ before documenting its journey from tank to table.
From tank to table: The cooking process
For those curious about the culinary side, Tod didn’t skimp on the details. The crab was deep-fried, then tossed in a wok with Singapore chilli sauce.
The chef even added the crab’s ‘brain cheese’ (a delicacy for some, a horror for others) to the sauce before serving it over noodles.
Tod’s anticipation was palpable: ‘I’m actually kind of scared. It feels like I’m about to eat a dinosaur under the sea. What are they feeding this guy?’
When the dish finally arrived, he tucked in with gusto, likening the experience to eating ‘a giant turkey leg’ and describing the meat as ‘so soft and so much sweeter’ than chicken.
He finished the video by encouraging his followers to try the dish for themselves, though, as it turns out, not everyone was keen to follow in his footsteps.
The backlash: When foodies draw the line
The reaction from Tod’s followers was swift and, for the most part, scathing. Many were horrified at the idea of eating such a ‘majestic’ and long-lived animal.
Comments ranged from disappointment—’I normally love and support your content. This took it too far’—to outright anger: ‘That crab was majestic and took 15 years to grow just to be a meal for you. There’s something called having honour for the life around us.’
Others pointed out the uncomfortable reality of watching a live animal selected and cooked on camera. ‘Yes, people eat chicken and beef.
But you don’t slaughter and kill them in front of you? Maybe you should start filming that too and posting it? Unfollowing,’ one user remarked.
Another summed up the sentiment: ‘I eat meat and seafood, but this seems unnecessary. We don’t have to eat everything.’
A question of ethics and sustainability
This viral moment has sparked a broader conversation about the ethics of eating rare and endangered species, even when it’s technically legal.
The Tasmanian Giant Crab is not currently protected by law, but its slow growth and high commercial value make it particularly susceptible to overfishing.
Conservationists have long called for stricter regulations and more sustainable fishing practices to ensure the species’ survival.
Sydney Fish Market, for its part, stated that retailers are advised to handle and process live crustaceans in accordance with RSPCA guidelines. But is that enough?
Should there be more robust protections for creatures like the Tasmanian Giant Crab, or is it up to consumers to make ethical choices at the dinner table?
Not everyone was outraged
Of course, not all the feedback was negative. Some viewers were fascinated by the spectacle, with comments like ‘OMG that’s wild,’ ‘Yum,’ and ‘I bet it tastes divine.’ For a few, the idea of eating such a rare delicacy was a dream come true.
The power and responsibility of food influencers
This incident is a reminder of the influence that food bloggers and social media personalities wield.
With millions of followers, their choices can shape trends, spark debates, and even impact conservation efforts.
While adventurous eating and culinary exploration are part of what makes food culture so exciting, there’s a growing expectation that influencers consider the ethical and environmental implications of what they promote.
A call for conversation
So, where do you stand? Is it ever justifiable to eat a rare or endangered animal, even if it’s legal and prepared by the book? Should food bloggers be held to a higher standard when it comes to promoting sustainable and ethical eating? Or is this just another case of internet outrage gone too far?
We’d love to hear your thoughts. Have you ever tried a rare or unusual dish that made you think twice? Do you believe there should be stricter rules around what’s served in our restaurants and markets? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below—let’s get the conversation started!
And remember, whether you’re a seafood lover, a conservationist, or just someone who enjoys a good food debate, your voice matters.
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