ETC food grades

Usually, the ETC ( English Tourist Council) Quality Assurance guys fill me with boredom. The few I had met in the past spoke of
"adding more cushions, adding pebbles in the fireplace, making our menus more flowery" all of which are anathema to Mark and I ( I believe to our children as well). But last month I met a pair of decent gentlemen.

One of them was a global traveller and I thought quite liberal. One of the Inspectors had sought to invite this fellow inspector who had lived in Singapore and travelled to other South Asian Countries, to assess the food. Of course, I was told this after the inspection. Usually when food critics make comments on South Indian food they are either ill equipped to do so or are just ignorant and just assume that a blanket perspective is perfectly adequate.

This man- he understood the food. That was it. I didnt have to explain. What a great relief. The ETC had got it right this time. I even had a debate about style and about how every place was unique. It was grand.

And what did they have to say. " The food was outstanding - 100% "Exceptional Quality".This accolade I have been told, has been awarded to only five other establishments on the island. Grand. I felt like a puffed up Red Robin.

However, sadly, the assessor was not favourable to our style- our candles and straight talk, our lack of flowery language and effusive mannersims did not bode well for us. The assessor also failed to verify a host of things such as " Environmental Awareness" despite being awarded a Gold Award by the Green Island Scheme. So, instead of acheiving the highest overall grade we lost out on the lack of frills.

But, we are one of the few on the island to receive 100% on the category of "food". That is what I shall celebrate.