This suprises even me, but Heston Blumenthal is my hero today
watching the fellow last night help the navy solve a dietry problem (submariners are too fat to get out of the hatches after 90 days at sea). He introduced a boil in the bag system so that the matelots don't have to eat chips every day. It also enables the silent service to stay at sea longer for extra buggary and rum.

There was much rejoicing at the admiralty.
( Bartleby A dead man on vacation, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:15, 3 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

I respect Blumenthal greatly
although I think he may be a ginger
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:23, Reply)

Hence the shaven head.
You may be onto something there.
( Bartleby A dead man on vacation, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:24, Reply)

he has the colouring of one I think
from the horse's mouth: "The truth is I have the biggest mop of red hair; it’s like strapping a doormat to my head. I could have a ginger afro – the truth is out!"
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:25, Reply)

I used to like him
until I saw his pompous and self-congratulatory 'feast' series where he feeds a load of b-list 'celebrities' some over-waki shit, all the while making himself out to be a boundary-pushing kerrazy guy.

He is boundary-pushing but has ruined my admiration for this by his being a fucking tosser. My brother-in-law's best mate works for him and claims that he really is a fucking genius though.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:28, Reply)

His OTT food just looks fucking stupid to me

( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:30, Reply)

'I've made edible fake snow!!!!'
Yeah well done you fucking spastic.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:35, Reply)

I disliked the celebrity aspect of it
but I enjoyed the research and development parts of those.

What appeals to me is that, unlike other top chefs (Ramsey, Marco Pierre White etc.) he doesn't seem to be an obnoxious cunt.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:31, Reply)

Rick Stein is reputed to be one of the worst.
A foul-tempered alcoholic, I am told.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:35, Reply)

I strongly dislike Rick Stein
for playing a large part in spoiling Padstow. It's a shit place now.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:36, Reply)

He is widely disliked by the residents, I understand.

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:37, Reply)

doesn't surprise me
what's worse is that his fish and chips aren't even the best within about 30 seconds walk, let alone in Padstow or Cornwall.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:40, Reply)

This gladdens me for some reason.

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:44, Reply)

me too

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:44, Reply)

You'll never beat Keith Floyd.
He was ACE.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:37, Reply)

trudat

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:41, Reply)

^this
I read a really interesting article about him once. He said he used to be the sweary, shouty type, and then one day he actually hurt someone while they were cooking, and now even at the worst points he runs a calm kitchen. If someone doesn't pull their weight he makes them stand in the middle of the kitchen and watch as everyone else struggles to pull the extra weight, until they're absolutely desperate to get back to work and help.
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:37, Reply)

Did you see
that fantastic new programme on Biblical history last night?

I am utterly in love with the presenter. She is fucking outstanding. I plan to make a shrine to her with collage pics etc when I get home tonight.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:40, Reply)

What's it called/ channel?
I like biblical history
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:44, Reply)

BBC2 9:00pm Tuesday

( Bartleby A dead man on vacation, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:46, Reply)

BBC2 The Bible's Buried Secrets
She is Dr Francesca Stavrakopoulou and I am in love. I clearly haven't learned to beware Greeks bearing tits.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:47, Reply)

That made me laugh
I'll keep an eye out for it
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:53, Reply)

So will I*


*of the Japanese variety
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:54, Reply)

quite pretty
also, I notice a lecturer at Exeter uni
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:54, Reply)

Can I come and stay for a bit?
I just need to finish customisig this jumper and then I will have something urgent to attend to in your area.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:55, Reply)

as long as you bring a big bag of marijuana

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:56, Reply)

I'll need to get you stoned
so you don't object to the strange noises coming from my room.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:58, Reply)

I'm fine with that

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:59, Reply)

just goes to show that you don't need to be a shithead to succeed as a chef

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:41, Reply)

Raymond Blanc also shows this to be true.

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:43, Reply)

There are a few of them about.
Raymond Blanc has the genial frenchman vibe going. The Roux family seem like decent sorts. The older ones at least.

I have a particular dislike for Marco Pierre White for some reason.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:46, Reply)

My brother managed the installation of Roux Jr's kitchen at home.
Despite being an even bigger racist than me, he declared Roux to be a sound fellow.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:48, Reply)

it's quite nice to hear that your impression of someone is accurate
particularly when it is a positive impression
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:55, Reply)

I've got a mate on HMS Turbulent
so I tuned in. Very interesting.
( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:53, Reply)

Is he a bit tubby?

( Bartleby A dead man on vacation, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:56, Reply)

He's not skinny
But I haven't seen him for a while as he's down on the South Coast when he's not out in the sub.

Did you know that none of our subs were working a year or so ago? They were all either drydocked or run aground somewhere. Strangely, I don't remember us being invaded at all.
( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Wed 16 Mar 2011, 10:59, Reply)