Heston Blumenthal doesn't want diners to snap photos of their food

Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal has criticised those who seem more interested in taking a photo of their food than actually eating it.

However, the television personality and owner of the triple Michelin-starred restaurant the Fat Duck has said he is reluctant to address the issue with diners due to the friction it may create.

The 53-year-old told Radio Times magazine: “At the Fat Duck, we’ve debated this for several years now. If we say to people, ‘Your food’s going cold’, you put up a barrier between you and the diner.

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Blumenthal also addressed whether he had been close to saying something to a customer, saying: “Yes, and I’ve been very tempted. We did it once in Australia because somebody was taking pictures with a flash, which affected other tables. It’s a really tricky thing.

“Social media is such a big part of our lives, our sight has become almost the more important sense rather than smell or taste. If I see something beautiful like a sunset, I try to be in the moment, then take a picture afterwards.”

Known for his wild culinary experiments, Blumenthal is staying true to form as his next television project sees him judge a cooking competition with an "edible set".

New series Crazy Delicious, set for broadcast on Channel 4, is filmed on a set in the style of an enchanted garden complete with chocolate soil and a drinkable stream.

Each episode will see three cooks compete with just one contestant coming out on top to win the prize, the Gods' golden apple.

Blumenthal will be joined on the judging panel by Niklas Ekstedt and Carla Hall.