It is received wisdom on both sides of the channel that French cuisine is better than English and that if it is done in a French way that this is 'correct'.
I don't believe that when it comes to matters of the taste buds that anyone can ever say that their opinion on food is the correct or better or right way to do things. If you prefer your eggs well cooked rather than loosely scrambled, that is your prerogative. As it is if you prefer your steak bien cuit as opposed to rare. Scholars of food may tell you that the juices flow better in a rare steak and one gets more flavour from it, but eating encompasses the whole experience of textures as well as taste. If you prefer it cooked to a crisp surely that is your prerogative. Personally, I think a fatty steak cooked over a hot barbecue so as it is near charred on the outside but pink inside is the best combination - but that is merely my preference. I don't claim to be 'correct' on the issue.
The only comment that may fairly be passed about someone's taste, surely, is that it is a little odd or unusual - by which we mean it is a taste or opinion not popularly held. The right to (come close to) saying that this taste or opinion is 'wrong' is that very few people share it..... not many people would say that Mother's Pride plastic white bread is any comparison to a fresh baked stick from your local boulangerie. Similarly, regardless of whether you prefer English cheese or French cheese (or mustards) not many would say that American cheese or mustard is any comparison to either English or French. It is fair to say anyone who expresses such a preference is a little odd....
But where does ketchup fit into this philosophy of taste ? We all tell our children not to eat it (so much) and consider it an affront to the chef to drown out their care in cooking the food with an all encompassing taste in tomato.
However, what is really the difference between vinaigrette or mayo and ketchup ? Certainly the ones we commonly buy in the supermarket are all (ketchup / mayo / vinaig..) artifacial. Ketchup (even home made) is just tomatoes, vinegar, sugar and spices. It isn't so different to vinaigrette...so why is it acceptable to drown out the taste of virtually every salad in France with strong dijon infused vinaigrette or mayo, but wrong to apply a dab of ketchup.
Moreover, applying the test above of taste, ketchup must be the most popular condiment on the planet - how can anyone say that such a large majority is wrong - accuse them of being philistines even...?
For now I shall be enjoying my steak hache medium to well done, with some frites and a dash of ketchup on the side....dare you join me in this admission ?