http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/taiwan/7878814/Big-burgers-should-be-dropped-as-risk-to-jaw-warn-Taiwans-dentists.html

Probably because its only designed for American mouths – just look at the film stars, when they smile, they (most not all) show more teeth than people from other nations!

But then, I have never eaten a Big Mac in my life. Have you?

E

PS May be the 3.5 inch burger (chicken) does not exist (BBC – 21 July, 2010)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10699456

Address: 35-43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE

Telephone number: 020 7405 3474

Website: http://www.rcseng.ac.uk/content

Date of visit: 7July 2010

Approximate cost per head: N/A

Comments on wine list/beer: The bar offers several wines by the glass. No bitter on tap – only Fosters or Guinness. Bottle beer is limited. Reasonable range of spirits.

Summary:

I was invited to a function held in the “hall”.  

They do have catering facilities and accommodation on site but it is only open to members/fellows or their relatives/guest.

The “hall” is wood panelled and the walls are covered in paintings of “great men” in the field of surgery. At the back of the hall, there is a painting depicting Henry VIII giving the charter to the Guild of Barbers and Surgeons.

The wines on offer were a South Africa cabernet sauvignon and an Australian chardonnay. Both were ok but it’s not something that I would rush out to buy. In fact, I have never had a decent banquet wine except when I went to a Chavalier du Tastvin dinner held at the Chateau du Clos de Vougeot. You get 7 wines with 7 courses. The down side is that its black tie and you need to keep your jacket on in an overheated room.

Onto the Royal College of Surgeons of England. There were around 200 guests for dinner composing of people from different races and religions. I was wondering how they were going to cope with the different diet requirements.

The starter was:

Ravioli of pickled Cheltenham beetroot with goats cheese mousse and pea puree.

This is an inspiration, and it works. It is basically thin slices of beetroot with goats cheese in between (think lasagne), covered in a slightly sweetened pea puree. It is visual and tasty.

Next was a vegetarian selection or  Supreme of halibut, provencale herb crust and poached asparagus. It came with a few sliced up runner beans and a spoonful of mashed potato under the halibut. Again, it worked. The halibut had a herb crust and was grilled. No sauce was supplied.

Finally, we were offered a Kentish strawberry and mint tart covered in heather honey ice cream.

Overall, it was a very simple dinner but it was of a highish quality and it would accommodate most diets.

E