I don't think the true comparison should be between the best (variety is everything) but between the accepted norms. If you travelled across France or Italy just stopping off randomly for meals you'd probably eat well and have a good chance of experiencing local styles and produce. If you travelled across Britain you probably wouldn't unless you planned ahead - but there'd be exceptions in all cases. I think Rick Stein is quite good at helping to value the best - though his style can grate. But he gives a strong impression that he's still fighting back against our willingness to put up with mbutt-produced poor quality. The situation with food is perhaps still much as it was with beer in the days when good beers struggled and "Watney's Red Barrel" ruled.
There's been a re-establishment of very good and interesting British cheeses in recent times but I suspect most of us were brought up on a choice of "mild or sharp".
I did watch RS last night, though. He boiled his green beans for a whole two minutes before tossing them in other ingredients. I'll lend him my photo of a candle. I wonder if two minutes would even destroy the tripsin inhibitors (or whatever they're called). -- Phil C.
