PSmith

Shame - I never got to try a Porkinson. If you ever get down to North Essex Harters, can I suggest you treat yourself to a pound or two from a butchers in Great Dunmow called Sweetlands. I can eat no other sausage now. These are the best in the world IMHO and I have eaten a lot of different sausages in my time. LOL

It should survive indoors. Make sure you water it with rain water rather than tap as the chlorine doesn't fit well.

You are totally correct in your observation, but it also applies to a lot of very successful high profile people. I don't expect that Donald Trump or Alan Sugar got where they are by being nice.

Who are these trolls David? Can't say I have noticed any myself. Just people with differing views - which at the end of the day, help keep a forum going. If everyone agreed, then there would be no discussion.

Indeed - I worked in the building industry for many years and you get numb to the "C" word after a week as it is part of every sentence Must admit that I spent many years in the Do you actually have any evidence for that?. Nah - hands up - it is just kitchen gossip

I am fairly new to the Egullet forum and I do also post on Chowhound where this week I have been introducing our friends over the pond to the delights of Bread and Butter pudding and Delia Smith. Like Harters, I don't really get Facebook or Twitter - the latter to me seems to be narcissists and sycophants. I work in a fairly insular environment, so use forums to interact with like minded people in the same way others will chat with their work colleagues. One thing I have noticed is that often a thread will get a lot of views, but not many comments which is a shame.

Seems that there is more to the story than being reported in the media. The blogger was on a freebie - was invited by the chef, also taken into the kitchen, met with Bosi and when asked, told Bosi what a wonderful meal he had eaten. However, Bosi was wrong to react in the way he did, but the blogger didn't have the balls to say what he really thought to his face. In my view the whole system is crock. The chefs for flirting with bloggers and bloggers who give bad reviews without being qualified or understanding the ratifications. My old Dad used to say "If you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all". Wish I could live up to that.....

It does seem however, that there are a few bloggers out there who will give a bad review in order to gain a higher profile for their blog (and therefore hopefully some freebies) Just saying.........

No that is not what I am saying - read the post above.

You do realise that the vast majority of English is "foreign descriptions", don't you? Yes - if you go far enough back in history. We are bits of French, German, Scandinavian, etc. But we are today uniquely English and that is something we should be proud of and promote. Let's have Lamb with Mint sauce, mashed potato and gravy on the menu instead of Lamb with pureed crème potatoes with Mint Jus,

How many coffee shops do you think actually use that criteria to make a latte? Is it something you would insist upon? And more important - what percentage of the population do you think would actually know, or even care that they are not getting Nescafe. In the same way that "Jus" on a menu is probably rarely proper "au jus" - especially in your local gastropub. Personally I detest the way foreign descriptions are becoming common place in our culture. We have some great food traditions in the UK that should be embraced, rather than allowing ourselves to be influenced by other countries.

So what is so wrong with using the English translation of "Milky Coffee". Why do we feel the need to use foreign language when it comes to "fine dining". I wonder if you would find "Bread and Butter Pudding" on a menu in France instead of "Pain du Beurre" dessert, should something exist.

CUSTARD!!!!

I actually like my coffee with "Coffemate" - plus it seems to fit better with my lactose intollerance issues.

Spot on - I guess they are going to be targeting people like my aged Mother who likes her coffee, really, really milky, but probably finds the like of Starbucks and Costa a bit too intimidating. Incidentally I never go to Starbucks or Costa - I find their coffee really disappointing - is it just me?

Amen to that

Coffee snobs be dammed Debenhams have simplified their coffee menu. If you want a latte - you now get a really, really milky coffee. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2225229/Debenhams-bans-confusing-drinks-menus-introduce-frothy-milky-coffee.html How refreshing. I know where I will be heading if I need a coffee next time I am in town.

Everything in moderation IMHO - except of course, processed sugar Don't forget that 50 years ago, while the populous were eating lard, butter etc, they were also doing physical work as opposed to sitting on their butts in an office. Plus in the UK we had rationing - so although you had butter, it was a thin scraping on your toast. PS - if you are a lard fan, seek out a recipe for Lardy Cake. It is actually a bread with dried fruit, but is delicious.

Has anyone eaten Kobe beef? I wonder if it is worth paying the extra - or if it is something they do so they can brag about it to their friends.

Looks like the delightful Grace Dent is not too impressed with not being able to get into Bubbledogs. See last but one paragraph of her article http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/esmagazine/grace-and-flavour-honest-burger-8181921.html

I live in a small town in the home counties which has a few pubs and a hotel and a couple of nice restaurants. Over the last few years, the pubs have all upped their game where food is concerned to the point where getting a decent "ham, egg and chips" was no longer possible. Recently however, the hotel has started to do two main courses for £10 - just good basic pub grub - and guess what - they are banged out every evening. A lot of pubs in the UK are shutting down and blaming the smoking ban. In my opinion, it is due to bad positioning. Too many have tried to become restaurants with beer and left themselves high and dry. I don't have a 100% rule of not eating in Michelin starred establishments - I just don't set any store by any high profile guide publications, preferring word of mouth or recommendations from friends. I once worked for a company that won a major industry award - the award was "bought" with a large purchase of advertising from the award giver's publication for the next year. So cynical - yeah, you bet I am.

So excellently put. Can I put my hand up to having never (to the best of my knowledge) eaten in an establishment with Michelin Stars. The closest is my favourite local establishment which is "recommended". It is all a bit of snobbery at the end of the day. IMHO of course.

LOL - I love that!!! Exactly my view too and my friends know this. I have even cooked them hot dogs (Princes from a tin) in the past.

I had a bit of rant to my OH the other day. We are part of a circle of friends - three couples. All six of us gathered round our house last weekend for another meal that we had prepared and cooked. It wasn't until after they had gone, the we realised that neither of the other two couples had ever cooked for us. One had invited us round for a take-away, but we always seem to go out for a meal when we visit them. We have known them for a number of years and they have probably eaten round our house about 10 times. Now I do know that they do cook - so it is not a case of not having the skills. Am I petty to be annoyed by this?

I can recommend Life's a Beach in Bude. Light lunches or a nice evening meal http://lifesabeach.info/ However, the ultimate foodie experience in Cornwall (IMHO) has to be a sea fishing trip. Two hour trip is perfect for catching mackerel. http://www.biteadventures.com/Trips.htm