Having lived abroad from 1987-1998 I sometimes have the feeling that there is a continuum between the late eighties and the end of the century. I often do not know what happened in the UK in that period.
When I lived abroad I often was embarassed at the terrible culinary experiences foreign friends had when they ate out in the UK. Food was often expensive, tasteless and accompanied by surly service. My experience on business trips to the UK was no different unless a customer, colleague or family member could tell me where there was good nosh. In the last 1990s my sisters in London said that the restaurant scene was much improved and indeed experiences got much better. About time too...I thought!
Apart from people travelling abroad, enjoying eating out and then demanding something better at home I have wondered what brought about the change between the eighties and the noughties. I just turned up an article in the Independent on a google search and they say it was all down to Anton Mosimann. I had never heard of this Swiss chef who apparently revolutionised the Dorchester, but there again it happened in my decade abroad.
I do remember my first experiences of posh nosh in the 1970s. My parents could afford to eat out very rarely so a meal in a hotel or restaurant was something very special. I remember being disappointed with what seemed bland tasteless food - I remember the grey meat mentioned in the article! But if it was roasted at five in the morning and reheated in the evening that would explain everything. My first really exciting meals out were as a student in Glasgow in my first curryhouse on Gibson street and my first multi-course Chinese New Year meal at an authentic Chinese restaurant in Sauchiehall Street. I suddendly expanded my taste.
I'm glad things have moved on...
I given a indian twist to most of my cooking
2007-06-14 @ 09:01