A pictorial record of the shambles that was Friday 16th May. It was what every pie-n-masher dreads — a shut shop scenario. With the august Mr Jet Tanner on his way down from depths of Epping Forest the assembled extempore committee decided it best to postpone the momentous event by one week and withdraw to the hostelry across the street. The trophies were in that bag, by the way. Having taken a half day's leave, I spent the remainder of the afternoon digesting the acrid taste of disappointment while resting in a darkened chamber.

The Grand Finale to P&M Season 2002—2003 will now be at Clark's of 46 Exmouth Market on Friday 23rd May, at the usual time of 1.11 at the venue. I hope this will enable a few more of you to attend one of the most auspicious gastro events of the year. Imagine if you will, a food 'oscars', and I don't mean the bin monster from Sesame Street. Just a final note of clarification; the wooden spoon for gross underachievement goes to the person with the worst points average over 2 meetings or more. I reiterate that it is a spoon of shame to be buried in the furthest recesses of one's kitchen drawer.

Stattus