Xmas lunch

[Gob]

By the time you’ve decorated the house and stuffed the stockings, Christmas can be costly – and that’s before you factor in the food.

But here’s some festive cheer for those on a budget. It’s possible to serve turkey with all the trimmings for as little as £2.89 ($4.59 US or $4.48 AU)per head, according to a study.

The Good Housekeeping Institute has put together a shopping list for a traditional Christmas dinner that it claims will serve eight for just £23.08. ($36.69 US or $35.85 AU)



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z1cb5SeqVH

[Sue U]

It's Christmas, why are you scrimping?

[Gob]

I'm not*, but there are large numbers of unemployed in the UK/US at present who may benefit from this sort of info.




* we're trying to get a table at Heston Blumenthal's "Fat Duck" while we are in the UK, but not for Xmas unfortunatley. It's £180 Per Person ($286.00 US or $279.00 AU) Now that's not Scrimping!!

[Sue U]

Surely all those pre-packaged prepared foods can be made more cheaply at home? And 10 quid for a little frozen bird like that? Supermarkets here give them away, twice the size, just for buying your groceries there for the preceding month.

[Gob]

Jeeezus, seriously?

[Lord Jim]

We get our fill of turkey at Thanksgiving...

For Christmas we do a prime rib, baked potatoes, stuffed mushrooms and baby asparagus....

[Sue U]

Jeeezus, seriously?

They're in the middle of the same promotion for Thanksgiving right now: http://www.shoprite.com/cnt/thanksgiving2011.html

[Sue U]

* we're trying to get a table at Heston Blumenthal's "Fat Duck" while we are in the UK, but not for Xmas unfortunatley. It's £180 Per Person ($286.00 US or $279.00 AU) Now that's not Scrimping!!

I have just had a chance to peruse that menu and it seems about the oddest thing I have ever seen in food -- but it certainly does leave me curious about the tastes! I'm sure it is a meal that will be long remembered in any event.

[Lord Jim]

I'm sure it is a meal that will be long remembered in any event.

I'm sure you'll remember it every time you look in your checking account....

286 smackers a head...

Does that include wine?

[Sue U]

I'm sure you'll remember it every time you look in your checking account....

286 smackers a head...

Oh, I don't know. I wouldn't think that was too much to spend on the spousal unit as a Christmas present, and it's not like either of us needs or wants more "things." All in all I think it's probably a fair price for an experience like that. Honestly, if you go out to Alfred's you'd easily spend more than $100 a head, and that's just a steak house that you can (and apparently do) go to any time.

[dales]

We get our fill of turkey at Thanksgiving...

For Christmas we do a prime rib, baked potatoes, stuffed mushrooms and baby asparagus....

I'll be over a little after 2pm, Jim....medium-rare, please.

[kristina]

Horseradish sauce for the beef, I hope? Oh, and what's for dessert?

I'll bring the wine. Shall I pick you up at 1:30, Dales?

[loCAtek]

Jeeezus, seriously?

They're in the middle of the same promotion for Thanksgiving right now: http://www.shoprite.com/cnt/thanksgiving2011.html

They're doing it at Target, too.

[Sue U]

Horseradish sauce for the beef, I hope?

I've never understood that; it seems so wrong.

[The Hen]

I'm sure you'll remember it every time you look in your checking account....

286 smackers a head...

Oh, I don't know. I wouldn't think that was too much to spend on the spousal unit as a Christmas present, and it's not like either of us needs or wants more "things."

This will be my Christmes present to my family.

Gob is trying to take the glory and pay for the meal. But as I have done all the leg work, sent the amazingly crafted "pre-Thank You" card, the letter to Santa, and called the restaurant to find out the exact time I will need to call them to attempt to secure my booking for the date required, then I'm bloody we'll going to pay for it too!!!!

I collect ephemerals. So far this is turning into my greatest one.

[Sue U]

It's a beautiful thing you're doing, Hen.

[Lord Jim]

Horseradish sauce for the beef,

Absolutely.

medium-rare, please.

Wouldn't cook it any other way, Dale...

If somebody insists on having theirs ruined, they can always shove their piece in the microwave.....

and what's for dessert?

I usually pick up a variety of french pastries (eclairs, napoleons, etc.) at a little Italian bakery we like....

[Gob]

Does that include wine?

Nope. Here's the wine list

Heston Blumenthal of The Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire has been described as a culinary alchemist for his innovative style of cuisine. His work researches the molecular compounds of dishes so to enable a greater understanding of taste and flavour. His original and scientific approach to the molecular breakdown of cuisine has teamed him with fellow chefs, scientists and psychologists throughout the world. His restaurant, The Fat Duck, opened in 1995 and was awarded its third Michelin star in January 2004.


In July 2006 Heston Blumenthal was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science by The University of Reading for his dedicated research and commitment to the exploration of culinary science.

GQ Chef of the Year

GQ Man of the Year Awards 2010
Trophy Gourmand

Austria 2010
BAFTA nomination in the Features category for "FEAST"

British Academy Television Awards 2010
Third Best Restaurant in the World

San Pellegrino Worlds 50 Best Restaurant Awards 2010
The Features and Lifestyle Award for Heston's Victorian Feast

The Royal Television Society Awards 2009
Food Book of the Year for The Big Fat Duck Cookbook

Guild of Food Writers Awards 2009
Winner of Design and Production Award for The Big Fat Duck Cookbook

British Book Industry Awards 2009
Winner of Photography Award for The Big Fat Duck Cookbook

James Beard Foundation Awards 2009
Winner of Design Award for The Big Fat Duck Cookbook

International Association of Culinary Professionals Awards 2009
Second Best Restaurant in the World

San Pellegrino Worlds 50 Best Restaurant Awards 2009,2008,2007,2006
Best Restaurant in the UK and 10/10 score

Good Food Guide 2008, 2009,2010
BAFTA nomination in the Features category for “Heston Blumenthal: In Search of Perfection”

British Academy Television Awards 2008
Conde Nast Traveller Innovation Award for “Chocolate Wine”

2008
Best Overall Service

Restaurant Magazine Front of House Awards 2007
Best Restaurant in the UK

Good Food Guide 2007
Grand Prix de L’Art de la Cuisine

International Academy of Gastronomy 2007
GQ Personality of the year

GQ Glenfiddich Awards 2007
Best Production “Heston Blumenthal – In Search of Perfection” BBC2

GQ Glenfiddich Awards 2007
Chefs Chef

San Pellegrino Worlds 50 Best Restaurant Awards April 2007
Honary Royal Society of Chemistry Fellowship for “… distinguished person whose activities have been of significant development to the chemical community..”

July 2006
Honorary Doctor of Science degree awarded by Reading University for recognition for his unique scientific approach to food and long-standing relationship with the University’s School of Food Biosciences.

Summer graduation ceremony July 2006
Order of the British Empire by Her Majesty the Queen

January 2006 New Years Honours List
Gault Millau, 19/20 rating

Gault Millau Guide January 2005
3 Michelin Stars

Michelin Travel Publications 2004
GQ Magazine Chef of the Year

GQ Magazine Man of the Year awards 2004
Square Meal/BMW Best out of Town Restaurant

Square Meal Magazine, BMW Awards 2004
Tatler Magazine Best Out of Town Restaurant

Tatler Magazine Awards 2004
Catey Awards Chef of the Year

Catering & Hotelkeeper Magazine 2004
Second Best restaurant in the World Award

Restaurant Magazine Worlds 50 Best Restaurant awards 2004
Restaurant Magazine Best European Restaurant Award

Restaurant Magazine, Worlds 50 Best Restaurants Awards 2004
Restaurant Magazine highest New Entry Award

Restaurant Magazine Worlds Best 50 Restaurants Awards 2004
Best Restaurant Award

Observer Food Monthly Awards 2004
Food & Wine Personality of the Year Award

GQ Magazine, Glenfiddich Awards 2004
Good Food Guide accreditation 9/10

2004
Best Cookbook of the year Worldwide for Family Food “a new approach to cooking”

Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2004
Best Children Cookbook for Family Food “a new approach to cooking”

Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2004
AA Guide chef’s chef of the year Award

AA Guide Publications 2002
Catey Awards Restaurateur of the year Award

Caterer & Hotelkeeper Magazine 2003
2 Michelin Stars

Michelin Travel Publications 2001
5 AA rosettes

AA Publications 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
AA wine list of the year

AA Publications 2002
AA Sherry List of the year

AA Sherry Publications 2002
AA Restaurant of Year Award

AA Publications 2001
Chef of the Year

Good Food Guide, 2001
Best of the year in Modern European category

Hotel and Restaurant Magazine, 2000
1 Michelin Star

Michelin Travel Publications 1998
Best Restaurant of the Year Award

Decanter Magazine, 1998

Oh, and he's self taught!!

[dales]

Horseradish sauce for the beef, I hope? Oh, and what's for dessert?

I'll bring the wine. Shall I pick you up at 1:30, Dales?

I'll be getting a lite buzz on in Sausilito, that's fine with me.

And Jim, those Italian desserts sound yummie!

post scriptum...Cigars, anyone?

[Crackpot]

KI always preferred straight horseradish