What is it with British food?

With only just over a month until the World Food Championships I am beginning some research into the U.S. food culture in general and the BBQ circuit in particular. Unfortunately it is impossible not to compare the Americans approach to food to our own. It seems to me that there is a massive gap in the British restaurant business, an area not catered for at all. OK, we have seen a massive increase in the gastro pub and fine dining is now accessible to practically everybody, indeed my visit to River Cottage was a revelation, great food and a great atmosphere but, there seems to be a massive lack of grass roots, good honest, basic food. If you have ever visited the U.S. you will be well aware of their excellent service industry, particularly in the restaurant business. I remember visiting a seafood restaurant in Key West in the early nineties and spending over an hour talking to out waiter, there was no insincerity and no awkwardness, he seemed genuinely happy and keen to converse and serve us at our table. Of course we tipped well and he was grateful. Need less to say the abalone salad with raspberry dressing was awesome.

So, fine dining aside what do we have? For a country rich in tradition with culinary influences from as far back as the Romans our current offerings for basic grub is arse, at best. Discounting the standard franchises, Maccy D's, KFC, Nandos, Frankie and Bennys etc. what do we have? Our basic burger eatery is a manky wagon on a hard shoulder on the A3(M), OK the food may be OK but looking at the offerings seen on shows such as Man vs Food, You Gotta Eat here (I know is Canada) and even the Hairy Bikers Mississippi adventure its evident that for a country bereft of tradition and light on history, they sure know how to get the basics right for eating. Even when we adopt an American born approach or concept such as fast food what do we do? We remove the single element that made it attractive in the first place. I am sick and tired of asking for a burger, or whatever and having to 'wait five minutes for that is that OK?'

What is the resolution to this disparity? Is there an answer? Of 'kin course there is, massive portions of unhealthy meat based dishes. We have one secret weapon, the honest British banger. When in Hamburg I visited the Curry Queen, not a gay Balti house but a stroke of genius. These small roadside eateries are indeed a franchise but they have a winning solution. The best meat in the best sausages served with a range of awesome curry sauces. It is a franchise I would love to start over here with some of the best sausages we have to offer, and believe me there are very few sausages in the world to rival what we have in the UK.

I am looking forward to discovering what my judging appointment will be but realised that I volunteered for every and any category, including chilli. Curse my chilli memory!!