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Chez Pim is unwell

June 10, 2009 5 Comments Filed Under: Food, Recipes, Uncategorized


Pim Techamuanvivit, one of the top food bloggers in the United States, has written ‘The Foodie Handbook (The (almost) Definitive Guide to Gastronomy)’ which is being launched in the UK this week. 

One of her most popular posts is ‘Pad Thai for beginners’ and in the book there is a step by step guide how to make this dish. It so often ends up in a sticky clump in the bottom of the pan, impossible to serve without the aid of a pair of scissors. The Underground Restaurant seized this dream opportunity not only to learn how to make it, from the horses mouth as it were, but also a chance for press and fans in the UK to meet Pim. And of course for Pim to meet the burgeoning food blogger community in Britain. 
Unfortunately Pim has been diagnosed with pneumonia and is therefore unable to fly to Britain this week. Hopefully this event will be rescheduled at a later date.
The book is a scrapbook of information, with wonderful photographs taken around the world. It contains recipes, hints, personal reminiscence and ‘how to’ lists. 
For example; Pim’s ‘Ten signs of a mediocre restaurant’ (her advice in bold):
1) Truffles on the menu in summer. ie seasonality or lack thereof
2) A million dollar view or too convenient location. Absofuckinglutely. All the money is spent on the rent, not on the cook’s wages or the ingredients.
3) The word gourmet is used suspiciously often. I do think this is an American habit though.
4) Menu reads like a document from the United Nations. Too varied a menu is never good.
5) Menu is the size of the Odyssey. Too big a menu is never good.
6) Unlikely ingredients in unlikely places. Keep it local or at least on the same continent.
7) Ushers at the door. She means those guys that try to ‘call’ you in. In London, they lurk outside Indian restaurants in Brick Lane. Often found at tourist spots. Rarely a good sign.
8) “Twenty locations in ten cities all over the world”. Franchises. Not a sign of quality.
9) Restaurant has gift shop attached. Not sure I agree entirely. Quite partial to a gift shop myself. (Love the V&A gift shop). Depends on the ‘gifts’.
10) Restaurant is empty. While this is good advice, I always feel sorry for empty restaurants and feel a personal responsibility, ridiculous I know, to be the first diner. People are so often sheep-like…it just needs that first step…

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Comments

  1. Gareth

    June 10, 2009 at 10:48 am

    11. The menu is laminated

    Reply
  2. Fat Les

    June 10, 2009 at 2:28 pm

    12. Restaurant includes crab stick as an ingredient.

    Reply
  3. Gourmet Chick

    June 11, 2009 at 9:24 am

    Love your comments on Pim's list. I find it is a bad sign when the menu is in several languages with flags attached.

    Reply
  4. Anonymous

    June 11, 2009 at 9:57 pm

    Sorry to hear about Pim. Does this mean an alternate menu for Saturday, or has the whole evening been postponed?

    Reply
  5. rak

    June 12, 2009 at 1:57 am

    get well soon pim!

    just ordered the book from amazon.co.uk

    Reply

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MsMarmiteLover aka Kerstin Rodgers.

Chef, photographer, author, journalist, blogger. Pioneer of the supperclub movement.

This is my food and travel blog, with recipes, reviews and travel stories. I also stray into politics, feminism, gardening.

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Kerstin Rodgers/MsMarmiteLover
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