A Meeting of Minds

Heston says he's honoured to have a hand in turning around the fortunes of an iconic British institution. But the Little Chef workers are less convinced by the partnership. Well those who've heard of him anyway. "He's a scientist chef that does experiments," offers a Geordie waiter. "Didn't he make ice cream out of bacon and eggs?" suggests another. And then there's the infamous snail porridge. "I'm not sure people are ready for snail porridge in Little Chef," muses one manager. "They weren't ready for muesli." Heston pops in for lunch to check out the food and isn't impressed with the massive menu. There's reference to Thailand, America... everywhere other than Britain," he chides. "This is the menu of a company in a panic." Heston opts for a selection of dishes but isn't impressed by anything on offer, apart, that is, from the eggs. "It doesn't taste of anything," he exclaims in amazement. "How do you do that?"