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malone

your joke reminded me of an organisation I once worked for. They had "standing committees" and I told one "chairman" that his position was untenable as he was out of line with the other members. I advised him to "stand" for re-election. He was rather offended until the joke was explained to him.

Malone

Yes I remember when PU discussed the name you suggested. The name might have offended PUrists but as you say, the media would have loved it. I think the voting was 50/50 and you gave your casting vote.

Grunger's posting reminded that I have worked for a company who had a Corporate Re-organisation Action Plan, and another with a Key Result Area Programme. Neither was flushed with success.

Jigjag, Grunger, thanks for your *RAP posts and the running jokes. Life as a pedant can be tough at times, so the odd light-hearted moment is welcome.

I don't know whether our apostrophe initiatives have had an effect on the country as a whole, but I'm pleased to say that I've noted very few problems recently. I hope everyone involved in PU will continue to be vigilant. That goes for all areas, of course - apostrophes (missing and misplaced), mangled sentences, misused words and phrases...

Malone

Did you watch "Supermarket Secrets" on TV last night. It featured 2 of your favourite subjects, Tesco and Gregg Wallace. Apparently Tesco are cashing in on the "Vegan" craze and have appointed a "Head of Plants".
He showed Gregg how to cook mushrooms so that they looked and tasted like steak. Gregg was very impressed. "That really tastes like steak" he said, managing to keep a straight face.

Grunger

I turned on to watch "This Week", which is on far too late, but found that Greggg was on instead. The mushroom piece was remarkable. When he talked about the "marbling" in steak, and that the sorry mass of burnt mushrooms in the pan looked and tasted like steak, I thought that he had really lost his marbles.

Over at Sada, the "Head of Mushrooms", Fergus Fungus is also after the Vegan market. He is growing mushrooms that resemble the creatures from a distant world that clashed with Mr Spock many years ago.

Thanks, folks.

I really didn't fancy the 'Supermarkets Secrets' programme, mainly because it was presented by Gurning Gregg. I'm all for enthusiasm, but GG seems to have gone rather manic over the past few years.

I too have watched the current Vegan/Plant-based diet stuff gaining momentum. It's been great to watch the supermarkets falling over themselves in their rush to cash in on current trends. Tesco may have a 'Head of Plants', but Marks and Spencer have a whole 'plant kitchen'. I was met with a baffled response when I tried to buy a steamroller last week. Still, it wasn't a total disaster - I bought some 'cauliflower popcorn' instead.

Malone

I love your "Plant Kitchen" idea - dont be surprised if a supermarket introduces something like that. I bet that if you had managed to buy your steamroller there, you would have been charged for a carrier-bag.

I am going to the market tomorrow and must ask Ivan Napple about his views on current trends in the mushrooming mushroom industry.

Oh jijjag, I dont think you have been to M&S for a while!

Malone, I am sorry you could not get a steamroller. My local "kitchen plant" shop sells them. They are steam-driven rolling-pins, ideal for pastry or pasta. Saves hours of tiresome rolling by hand.

Grunger, the steam-driven rolling-pin sounds a nifty little gadget. I might treat myself to one.

Jigjag, have a nice time at the market tomorrow. I'm sure you'll have an interesting chat with Ivan Apple. I think he might have some friends with him - Anna Nas, Rose Hip and Cherie Ayd mentioned that they might pop along.

Malone

I have just returned from a frustrating trip to town. I called at M&S and enquired about the "plant kitchen", expecting to be met with bafflement.. The assistant surprised me by appearing to know what I was talking about. She led me to a fridge and said "This is the Plant Kitchen".

"But where are the plants?" I asked. "There are no plants - it is a range of ready-meals, Spaghetti bolognese is the most popular."

"But that doesn't come from a plant", I protested, although I remember the hoax on Panorama many years ago.

Then on to Tesco for a "breakfast". Very nice but I complained that the mushrooms tasted rather like er...mushrooms.
"What so you expect them to taste like, meat?"
"But the Head of Plants told me they tasted like steak." "If you want plants or steak you have come to the wrong place."
"My mis-steak", I said.

So, the market tomorrow. Ivan does have female assistants, probably the ones you mention. I will let you know.