people slate the english cuisine but we have the official best restaurant in the world ' the fat duck',

Question

best restaurant in 2005, and second in 2006
check...http://www.theworlds50best.com/

also saying english food is bad is just ignorance to there part.

why do some of the worlds top chef's are in london?

Answer 1

I am one of the panel who contributes to that "top 50" list in Restaurant magazine. I think a lot of people from overseas think of cuisine in the Uk based on experiences twenty or so years ago when, with few exceptions, it was ghastly. Fortunately London in particular has spawned a thriving restaurant industry in the last decade or so. This is partly because London is now affluent, and so can support plenty of expensive restauirants (this is why many of the top chefs are in London). Another is the tremendous influx of people from different countries to London, especially in the last decade. Each culture adds its own elements to the mix, and London is perhaps more ethnically diverse than any major city, even New York. I have to say that at the very top of the tree the French still win, partly because they have superb ingredients, partly a major food culture, and partly because they are prepared to pay for the best. The best restaurants in Paris are twice the price of Gordon Ramsay, the only 3 star Michelin restaurant in London. For a list of all the 3 star Michelin restaurants in the world, with reviews, see my web site www.andyhayler.com

Answer 2

The Fat Duck isn't really English food. At best it could be called French cuisine with a British influence. I'm afraid if it was a competition for which country has influenced the best cooking, in my opinion it is without a doubt France.

Answer 3

The at Duck will be the best restaurant, ok, but this award will not mean that the this restaurant will offer the typical English cuisine. All top restaurants have their own creations of local (maybe English) and international cuisine and so you can't say that the local cuisine is also the best...

Answer 4

George Mikes (1) wrote tongue in cheek that,"The Continentals have good food. The English have good table manners." This is gradually changing for the better.

Anthony Worrall Thompson, Nico Ladenis and Heston Blumenthal, are amongst the growing chefs recognised for their deft touch with fine cuisine. Incidentally, Blumenthal was awarded a third star for his restaurant, The Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire.

Home chefs should be supported to bring momentum to better food standards that has gradually built up over the past few years. (1) Quoting Worrall Thompson,"People like Gordon Ramsay are so obsessed with competing with each other that a Michelin star has become the Holy Grail. I would rather see three Michelin tyres outside my restaurant than three Michelin stars."

At the same time, England is at risk of loosing its better chefs, which is simply a testimonial for their demand.(2) Humbly, traditional food requires relooking, in part to bring skill to cooking, and to bring better food into the homes of folk, instead of being the exclusive event had at expensive restaurants and the local watering holes.

Answer 5

Harry i sympathise with Heston Blumenthal as i did Russell Brand,the issue has been blown out of all proportion by a lot of sad people jumping on the bandwagon.This and rags like the Mail sensationalising news whatever the cost to the individual. It also trivialises the genuine cases of food poisoning if indeed the Fat Duck was responsible. All the best

Answer 6

I think the fault doesn't lie with the food itself, it's how it is cooked. Other nations seem to take more pride in how they prepare meals for themselves. French/Italians/Spanish seem to use more fresh produce in their cooking rather than the tinned or frozen stuff we use. There also seems to be a greater knowledge of food among our European cousins.

English/British traditional food can be incredible. I live in Korea at the moment and often spend Sundays dreaming of a roast dinner with all the trimmings. I would kill to get my hands on a cornish pasty/lincolnshire sausage or any number of 'English' dishes.

Good food is in the tasting not the country it originates from.

Answer 7

OK, but how many of the top chefs are English? Unfortunately, traditional English cuisine is not the world's most appetising (let's face it...brussel sprouts???!!!??). Did you go to public school or uni and actually have to eat school dinners??!! I love my Marmite, parsnips and baked beans on toast but It's like loving your teddy bear when it's gone all bald and smelly. It's just what we were used to when we were children.

Answer 8

Yes , The Fat Duck is number 2 but there are no other UK restaurants listed. Edinburgh has loads of great restaurants (if you can afford them) Most of them are in the Leith area at the Shore eg Martin Wishart, Fishers. Skippers, Malmaison, The Waterline.

Answer 9

I really don't know, there are many delicious English dishes, it isn't just about Fish and Chips...