The Ledbury Restaurant Ranked as London's Best by Harden's

As Charles Dickens wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”.  He was, of course, referring to Paris during the tumultuous days of the French Revolution.

But he was also referring to his own beloved London when he wrote that sentiment in his groundbreaking novel, A Tale of Two Cities.

London still mirrors that statement as it was just three weeks ago that the Australian chef Brett Graham and his staff at London’s famed restaurant, The Ledbury, drove rioters from their restaurant with kitchen tools in hand.

For their courage, the staff at Your Culinary World was delighted to acknowledge their professional bravery with the Golden Rolling Pin Award.

Now Harden’s, one of the United Kingdom’s leading restaurant review guides, has ranked them first among London’s many outstanding restaurants. Congratulations once again and well done. They completely deserve it!

Their first place ranking is based on the reviews submitted by over 8,000 delighted diners which puts The Ledbury's staff among such former winners as the well known chef Gordon Ramsay.

It seems that The Ledbury staff can both defend and create with equal skill and finesse their restaurant and their guests.  Now that’s a truly well trained staff! 

When in London, be sure to visit there -you will find both the staff AND cuisine memorable as all of London does.

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011

Golden Rolling Pins Awarded to ALMOST Everyone in Hurricane Irene Hit

Everyone in the hotel industry has breathed a hugh sigh of relief that the damage from Hurricane Irene was not as vast as projected.  (When predicting national disasters, it is perfectly fine to be wrong as long as the damage is less, rather than more).

Amazingly the larger metropolitan centers of Washington D.C. and New York City were largely spared the feared heavy damage. But sadly, many inland areas have been hit by massive flooding, lengthy power failures and loss of life.

Yet no matter where one turned throughout the hurricane’s multi-state path, hotels and restaurants large and small have worked overtime to provide extra food and arrange accommodations for the large influx of guests seeking shelter from the storm.

Many staff members worked long hours aiding guests, directing capacity food services and listening quietly to the many concerns of the worried individuals gathered beneath their roof.  But such is the nature of our industry.

There is no one who would ever doubt the courage of the many first responders from the Coast Guard to local fire departments, from regional hospitals to the Red Cross. Without them, so many disasters would become nightmares of confusion and chaos.

But stay beside them are the many “silent responders” such as hotels and restaurants, who despite personal safety concerns, stand by their posts as well and continue to serve despite the roaring wind and raising waters. 

To each and every one of these brave individuals, we award the Golden Rolling Pin, our award for those who bravely serve and represent the heart of hospitality.  Congratulations one and all!

But one person who will NOT receive the golden rolling pin is GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann. On Sunday, as the Hurricane Irene shattered windows and destroyed both home and lives, Bachmann said the following while she was safe from the hurricane’s rage at her Sarasota, Florida campaign rally:

“I don't know how much God has to do to get the attention of the politicians. We've had an earthquake; we’ve had a hurricane. He (meaning God) said, 'Are you going to start listening to me here?”

On Monday morning Alice Stewart, spokeswoman for Bachmann’s campaign told the shocked waiting press that Bachmann was only joking.

In an age when there is not a single segment of our industry that has not been bombed or burned by fanatics distorting the legitimate faiths of others, it is almost beyond belief that anyone would either believe that (1) God requires the death of innocent children to justify any particular political party or (2) that such death and trauma is merely a “joking” matter. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME, SHAME on you, Michele Bachmann!

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Post Note: Per our readers' request - Probably the best source for golden rolling pins charms and pins is Charmworks in Sierra Vista, Arizonia.

Each pin and charm is designed and handcrafted stateside and the resulting quality shows. If your staff deserves an award for the above and beyond, this established firm, whose products are miniature works of art, offers an array of 36+ tiny culinary sculptures including cheese wedges, rotini pasta, garlic and grapes to mention just a few. 

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011