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WEBCHAT GUIDELINES: 1. One question per member plus one follow-up. 2. Keep your question brief. 3. Don't moan if your question doesn't get answered. 4. Do be civil/polite. 5. If one topic or question threatens to overwhelm the webchat, MNHQ will usually ask for people to stop repeating the same question or point.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

MNHQ

GOK WAN: Live Webchat - Friday 11 October, 1.45-2.45pm

522 replies

RachelMumsnet · 09/10/2013 14:41

We'll still be sweeping up the biscuit crumbs left from the Jennifer Saunders webchat as we prepare for the return of Gok Wan to Mumsnet Towers on Friday 11 October at 1.45pm. Since his last visit in Summer 2010, Gok has produced 2 cookery books and his latest, Gok's Wok is published this week.

Gok shares many of his family's traditional recipes but gives them a modern twist as he teaches us how to cook, simple, fast meals with flavour and a splash of Gok originality. Chapters cover all occasions from lunches to dinner parties and include curries, stir-fries, noodles, salads, soups and desserts.

Join Gok on Friday at 1.45pm or post a question to him in advance to this thead and you'll be entered into a draw to win a SIGNED copy of Gok's Wok.

We have also teamed up with Gok and Sainsbury's to host a live cookalong on Google+. On Wednesday 16 October at 7pm Gok will be making two super-delicious dishes from his new book and he'd love you to join him in cooking them. Find out more here.

OP posts:
Valpollicella · 15/10/2013 23:11

X posts

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 15/10/2013 23:12

The thing is, Justine, he didn't answer any of the body confidence/dressing for my size/how to look good questions - even though a number were asked before any of the questions that have been categorised as hectoring and rude.

Looking back at the chat, I think that all the questions up to midday were polite - so we hat direct, but still polite - is there any reason why these questions were ignored?

It doesn't look as if he wanted to answer any non-food-related questions, even before the tone of the web chat darkened.

mignonette · 15/10/2013 23:13

Valpollicela Have another read through and see what you think. It comes across ( to me and I can only give you my take) as mocking, spiteful and disrespectful of another human who may or may not have gone on to respond to our (legitimate) concerns about his programme had it not gone sour.

Reading between the lines of Justines responses here, I have to draw the conclusion that Gok Wan found it upsetting and unpleasant, that he perceived it as mocking and spiteful (spiteful may be my word for what I read) and decided to ignore the unpleasantness as the only line of defence he felt able to use.

Hullygully · 15/10/2013 23:14

No, Mig et al, I really don't think it's bullying. It' a shame he was bullied as a child, altho I can't see the relevance here, but he was ribbed for his professional choices and persona. It may have come as a shock to him and he may not have liked it, but hey, you pays your money...

Hullygully · 15/10/2013 23:15

We aren't going to agree tho, so I'd better go to bed and see if I have any interesting insights in my sleep.

Valpollicella · 15/10/2013 23:15

Justine, I get what you are saying. But honestly, did he have NO ONE with him to help field answers? PR wise?

mignonette · 15/10/2013 23:16

Well he was here to promote his book on food. If one of us posted a thread about cooking and everybody responded with posts about our body image or politics or what our favourite TV show was we'd be justifiably grumpy!

Yes he was here solely to promote his book and I imagine Gok is trying to steer his career in a new direction only to be thwarted by the questions. However it is naive to imagine famous people come onto MN simply because they woke up one morning with a burning desire to chat and hang out with the civilians here.

mignonette · 15/10/2013 23:17

Its okay to disagree Hully.Smile.

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 15/10/2013 23:18

@Valpollicella

Mignoette, in which way was it spiteful? Honest question?

Justine, I remember the Shezerade (or however the hell you spell her name) webchat.

That wasn't censored. She just 'couldn't make it' for whatever reason.....

Actually it was - I remember deleting a couple of posts but was slightly less diligent after she failed to show up!

Valpollicella · 15/10/2013 23:18

Will do Mig. Having read them on the day, scrolling through I might have missed them Blush

But even so, I stand by my facts that public personas such as Gok should have LAE's. So to avoid this scenario, and to maintain their public image. It's pretty standard PR stuff

Hullygully · 15/10/2013 23:20

Yes but Mig, that's like saying Shiny Dave came on to promote his new book about gnomes and people meanly talked about the dismantlement of the welfare state...

One is who one is and one does what one does, and one should be aware one is likely to have it questioned.

Valpollicella · 15/10/2013 23:21

Aw c'mon Justine....That ran to about eleventy threads even without her on it!

Hullygully · 15/10/2013 23:22

...really going now

peace and love to all even in disagreement

Tweasels · 15/10/2013 23:22

Surely guests on here are forewarned before they start? They would only have to do a quick search on their name to give them an idea of the response they'd get. If it doesn't look favorable or you can't handle criticism, don't bother.

After reading it all through there were a few posts which might have been slightly OTT but I'd more disappointed if people weren't picking up on being referred to as "doll". We wouldn't put up with that shit from each other so why should we from a celebrity.

Wheatus · 15/10/2013 23:23

Let's face it, I bet he won't come back.

Valpollicella · 15/10/2013 23:23

And they were all Hmm worthy/goady/etc

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 15/10/2013 23:23

@Hullygully

Yes but Mig, that's like saying Shiny Dave came on to promote his new book about gnomes and people meanly talked about the dismantlement of the welfare state...

One is who one is and one does what one does, and one should be aware one is likely to have it questioned.

The problem wasn't the questioning - as I've said a few times now. Anyhows it doesn't really matter whether you consider the banter/hectoring/teasing bullying Hully, the fact is it's against our rules so please don't do it.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 15/10/2013 23:24

If he was only here to publicise his book, why was this webchat apparently a sticky on the Style and Beauty forum, and why wasn't it made clear that he was only going to answer food related questions?

Hullygully · 15/10/2013 23:26

Ok

I will never banter or tease again. I can't agree to not hector because I don't agree that I did.

Shiny Dave's fair game tho, isn't he? And surely Gove and Gideon?

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 15/10/2013 23:27

@Tweasels

Surely guests on here are forewarned before they start? They would only have to do a quick search on their name to give them an idea of the response they'd get. If it doesn't look favorable or you can't handle criticism, don't bother.

After reading it all through there were a few posts which might have been slightly OTT but I'd more disappointed if people weren't picking up on being referred to as "doll". We wouldn't put up with that shit from each other so why should we from a celebrity.

Gok's been before - he knows the form. But seriously I've never seen a webchat go off the rails like this - even the ones with the dullest politicians where they say nothing but the party line.

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 15/10/2013 23:28

@Hullygully

Ok

I will never banter or tease again. I can't agree to not hector because I don't agree that I did.

Shiny Dave's fair game tho, isn't he? And surely Gove and Gideon?

How about trying to follow the rules? Read them, digest them, follow them. It's not tricky.

Valpollicella · 15/10/2013 23:28

Can we have an example, verbatim, of the bullying?

Honestly, I'd really like to see it quoted. Just so I know for future reference

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 15/10/2013 23:30

@SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius

If he was only here to publicise his book, why was this webchat apparently a sticky on the Style and Beauty forum, and why wasn't it made clear that he was only going to answer food related questions?

He wasn't only going to answer food related questions. The breadth and scope of the questions wasn't the issue. The hectoring, teasing, sarcasm was the problem.

Wheatus · 15/10/2013 23:38

Can I say as well.

There was a link on twitter from a mumsnet user asking people to post as he is a 'woman hater' and a 'dickhead' amongst other insults.

Quite happy to link.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 15/10/2013 23:42

So why didn't he answer any of the polite, reasonable (albeit slightly direct) non-food-relatd questions that were posted before midday? Or indeed any non-food-related questions? They weren't all rude and/or hectoring.

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