The Chicken Connoisseur

Elijah Quashie (born 1993 in Enfield, London),[2] also known as The Chicken Connoisseur, is an internet sensation and fried chicken restaurant critic, known for his viral YouTube video series The Pengest Munch.[3][4][5]

The Chicken Connoisseur
Personal information
BornElijah Quashie
May 1993 (age 27)[1]
Enfield, London, England
Occupation
  • Internet celebrity
  • Fried chicken restaurant critic
WebsiteYouTube channel
YouTube information
Years active2015–present
GenreFood
Subscribers818,000
(25 December 2020)
Total views74,601,005
(25 December 2020)
100,000 subscribers 2016
Updated: 25 December 2020

Career

Quashie started his YouTube channel The Pengest Munch in August 2015, inspired by Gregg Wallace of television series MasterChef and produced by film maker Elishama Udorok.[4] Until December 2016, his videos had around 700 views each, with a total of 150 subscribers.[4] The videos involve Quashie visiting, critiquing and rating chicken shops around London.[6]

The Pengest Munch went viral on 9 December, with coverage from The Huffington Post,[5] The Daily Telegraph[7] and BuzzFeed[6] and support from John Boyega and Graham Linehan.[7] Metro cited "stunning insight, humour and style" as the reasons behind his success.[8] Another focus of the coverage has been the use of slang in the videos;[5][7] this has been criticised for suggesting "the slang of working class black kids is beyond normal comprehension", notwithstanding the fact that such a claim is by no means subjectively invalid.[9] He appeared on ITV London on 13 December,[10] and released a new episode to YouTube on 16 December.[11]

In December 2016, he established Chicken Connoisseur Ltd[1] and in April 2017 it was announced that he would be writing a book entitled The Pengest Munch: In Search of the Nation's 50 Favourite Chicken Establishments, published by Blink Publishing.

It was announced in October 2017 that Quashie would star in a new Channel 4 television show entitled 'The Peng Life'.[12] The programme started in August 2018[13] and featured 4 episodes.[14]

In January 2021, Quashie renamed his channel to The CNSR.[15]

Controversy

In January 2017, Quashie came under criticism after he featured Taylor Harris (stage name 'Bonkaz') rapping in one of his YouTube videos. Harris was previously convicted of groping a 13-year-old girl in 2010. Harris was also jailed for three years in 2011 for his part in a kidnapping and torture of a 22-year-old disabled man.[16]


Personal life

Quashie lives in Tottenham in North London.[3] Following his rise to fame, many people speculated about his age due to his youthful appearance. Quashie confirmed to be 23 (as of December 2016) in a tweet he swiftly deleted. This is confirmed by a number of government records stating his date of birth as May 1993.[17] Quashie has also said that he has "no appetite for discussing his age".[18] Quashie is also a renowned Arsenal fan, stating it in his YouTube videos and interviews since his rise to prominence.[19] Quashie is also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[20]

In May 2017, Quashie endorsed Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn in the 2017 UK general election. During an interview with The Fader he said: "he's one of the few people who make sense".[21]

References
  1. "Elijah QUASHIE - Personal Appointments (free information from Companies House)". beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  2. Sampson, Issy (4 August 2018). "Chicken Connoisseur Elijah Quashie: 'Deep down, vegans want to be us!'". the Guardian.
  3. "YouTube star behind chicken shop reviews: My head is still spinning". Evening Standard. 16 December 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  4. Usborne, Simon (16 December 2016). "The Chicken Connoisseur on his new Pengest Munch: 'I owe it to the bald one on MasterChef'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  5. "Boy Reviewing London's Chicken Shops Goes Viral". The Huffington Post. 9 December 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  6. "Everyone Loves The Guy On YouTube Going Around London Reviewing Chicken Shops". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  7. "These brilliant videos about London's takeaway chicken shops are a YouTube hit". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  8. "The 'Chicken Connoisseur' has just become the best food critic in London". Metro. 9 December 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  9. "When It Comes To Diversity, Black English Language Is Just As Important As Diversity In Boardrooms". The Debrief. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  10. "The guy who reviews London chicken shops made a glorious TV appearance". Yahoo! Finance. 15 December 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  11. "The Chicken Connoisseur Is Back With A Brand New Ep Of The Pengest Munch – WATCH". Capital XTRA. 16 December 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  12. "Chicken Connoisseur Elijah Quashie gets his own Channel 4 show". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  13. Sampson, Issy (4 August 2018). "YouTube star the Chicken Connoisseur: 'Deep down, vegans want to be us'". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  14. "Peng Life - All 4". Channel 4. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  15. Hansen, James (4 January 2021). "London's 'Chicken Connoisseur' Is Broadening His Critical Remit". Eater London. Vox Media. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  16. Dempsey, Joe (11 January 2017). "'Chicken Connoisseur' Youtube star comes under fire for starring alongside convicted sex offender in latest 'Pengest Munch' video in Thornton Heath". Sutton & Croydon Guardian. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  17. "You Won't Believe How Old YouTube's 'Chicken Connoisseur' Really Is..." Capital XTRA. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  18. Usborne, Simon (16 December 2016). "The Chicken Connoisseur on his new Pengest Munch: 'I owe it to the bald one on MasterChef'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  19. "Chicken Connoisseur on Twitter: "@HeavyHeavyd @professorgreen @OfficialChip @IAMFRIMPONG26 Arsenal." / Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  20. Wagner, Danielle B. (10 October 2017). "LDS YouTube Sensation Who Has Over 33 Million Views for Reviewing Chicken Is Getting His Own TV Show". LDSLiving. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  21. Gillett, Francesca (17 May 2017). "London's Chicken Connoisseur backs Jeremy Corbyn after string of grime stars endorse Labour leader". London Evening Standard. London. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
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