I recently started reading a book called “Fish and Fritz” by a German journalist “auf der Insel”. Inevitably, it descends into stereotypes quicker than the French call strikes, and proceeds to paint a negative picture of British cuisine. It may well be true that Britain is the teen pregnancy capital of Europe, an overpaid, underskilled land with a borrowing culture so insatiable it has triggered a recession, but I have to spring to the defence of our food.
British and German cuisine are more comparable than some may think. Both leave out the frills, focus primarily on meat and vegetables, and suffer from a poor reputation. German food is regional, so for me is typified by the hearty Bratwurst, Rostbrätl and Klöße dishes of the east, set off with Apfelrotkohl and Beer. It’s good, solid food, suited primarily to a male taste.
British food is more national, but I like to think of 3 categories. In cities, you can find the great British invention of Indian food. Tikka Masala is the country’s most popular meal, and there you can find the best Indian food outside of Asia. Once in west Germany, drowning in the flood of westernised consumerism, I tried a German-style Indian meal and my tongue still burns at the thought.
On the coast, Fish & Chips is one of the best meals to be had, if you go to the right places. Eaten with gravy in the North (not a bad idea, provided you’re not eating by hand while on the move), although by the time you’re finished, your hubcaps will most likely have been stolen.
In the countryside, British pub food is king. Steak and ale pie, cottage pie, roast chicken, the chips, the potatos and the roast veg truly can compete with any food in the world. That’s my case for the defence of British food, and even if you’re not convinced, in Britain at least you can be sure when you order that the Chef won’t call a strike before your meal is cooked.
from the outside looking in 