Those exact quotes stood out to me as well. It is obnoxious to listen to someone act as if his culture's cuisine is somehow objectively superior, almost like he doesn't recognize that people have tastes.
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9138580
A dozen other blogspam variants on that article appeared in short order and here we find it echoing again.
Although the direct source is American I can't help but think that the underlying meme has something to do with the objective horribleness of British food and the ubiquity of Indian restaurants in the UK.
But now? I've had superb meals in both city and country - and there's been a big rediscovery of the roots of British cuisine. Just with better ingredients, imagination, and avoiding shudder the classic blunder of oversteaming the veggies. :)
Case in point - hit up the Bull in Highgate in London. Amazing pub, that serves top-notch food for about $15 a plate.