Something going wrong in the Christmas season?
Christmas is always a tad surreal, but seems particularly so this year. People who have never previously heard of Central America are now muttering knowledgeably about the Mayan calendar and imminent Armageddon. The other night we heard a programme on the dreaded Radio 4 about American "survivalists" who have constructed bunkers into which they intend to retreat on Thursday night. Appearing on Radio 4 usually requires removal of any sense of humour, and the survivalists fitted the bill. I considered the possibility of our also retiring to a bunker, if we can find one at this late stage, but rejected it on the basis that a post-Armageddon social life restricted to dinners with survivalists is too dire to contemplate.
One person who must share this point of view is gastro-celeb Nigella Lawson, currently featuring in a cookery series called Nigellisima. (So no hint of a personality cult there.) At a time of austerity, belt-tightening and turnip-cooking, Nigella has decided to swim against the culinary flow. Between shots of a glitteringly festive London we had romantic pictures of Venice, with mouthwatering goodies on display. Her recipes feature a cornucopia of exotic ingredients: marsala and mascarpone abounded, though a winter salad, constructed from three varieties of radicchio, was included to cut the richness. Nigella prepared the last in a silk dress cut low over her shapely bosom, arching her elegant brows as she smiled into the lens. At the end we saw a gathering of London glitterati sampling her dishes. Not a turnip or survivalist in sight. I'm not sure what the Great British Public thought of it, as they watched with a tray of microwaved Iceland produce on their laps, but we enjoyed it.
Actually, I might get in touch with her and see whether she's retiring to a bunker, and, if so, where.
Antony Mair
Santa looks for a cab to avoid infestation
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