Nanny's told to get stuffed!

At long last a fairly major player in the hospitality industry has had the guts to call into question government interference - this time, the proposed calorie count on all menus - by pointing out that there is certainly no demand for this additional red-tape from customers. Full marks to Sarah Thomas of Orchid for her sensible comments (Morning Advertiser, 19th September 2011).

Let's hope it inspires others to put these half-baked plans under close scrutiny.

The Gastro-pub is dead - long live the pub

Encouraging news from the editor of the Good Food Guide who is ditching the term "Gastro-pub" because it has become so hackneyed in recent years (Morning Advertiser, 6th September 2011). I agree that too many pubs think they are restaurants nowadays and I certainly would welcome a return to proper pub grub like Scotch eggs and home-made pork scratchings. And why is it that you never see a proper cheese board anywhere?

My home-made pork scratchings

Prohibition (2011-style)

I have smoke coming out of my ears at the moment - I must have missed the original news that cigarette vending machines will become illegal in England from the 1st October 2011. Smokefreeaction.org.uk Report.

 This sort of interference in our lives makes me mad enough (ie very angry) to take up cigarettes (if not arms) against the impossibly smug nannies who believe they know better than the rest of us what is good for us.

It was my choice to give up smoking - it should be your choice too!