|
|
 |
| |
Edna Hayne identifies a knotty problem with the chips, but otherwise she and fellow tasters Cllr John Gilbert and Phyllis Mallin found everything ‘just right’ |
Meals-in-microwaves pass the taste test (apart from the chips)
Critics complain of drop in food quality, but pensioners are delighted by frozen dishes
THE chips were a bit of a disaster and the peas were rather cold and hard, but the cottage pie, chicken and desserts were delicious. All in all, Islington’s new meals-on-wheels service was given the thumbs up this week.
That was the verdict of a gastronomic gathering of food tasters presided over by the Town Hall’s Lib Dem executive member for social services, Councillor John Gilbert, on Monday.
The tasting event had been arranged by Cllr Gilbert following criticisms of the new service reported recently in the Tribune.
Pensioners and opposition councillors complained that quality was lost when the traditional hot, delivered meals were replaced by the frozen packaged variety.
Tasters at the event included Phyllis Mallin, 87, and Edna Hayne, 81, both from Highbury Quadrant estate.
Phyllis, chairwoman of her estate’s community association and a recent winner of the Mayor’s Civic Award, was able to compare the new meals with the previous dinners, which she received when she injured her wrist last year.
Phyllis began with cottage pie, carrots and runner beans. “This is nice,” she said. “Much better than last year’s food. There’s more meat and it’s tastier. The beans are very nice and not overcooked. Just right.”
Edna had the roast chicken, chips and peas. “The chicken is in a barbecue sauce. Very tender,” she said. Then she prodded the chips. “There’s a problem here. The chips have been in the microwave too long and have got a bit hard.”
Meanwhile, Cllr Gilbert was tucking into ocean pie, consisting of salmon, prawns, a pastry topping and creamy sauce. His verdict: “Lovely. I could eat this any time.”
Phyllis tried the lamb, which she thought was OK if a little tough. “The gravy is very tasty. But the peas are hard,” she added.
Both women tried the curry but thought it too hot, although they admitted they were not great fans of Indian cuisine. Cllr Gilbert thought it was very spicy but nice.
Everyone enjoyed the desserts. Edna thought the pineapple sponge was delicious and her favourite dish. “Really gorgeous,” she added.
Phyllis liked the traditional spotted dick cake for its sweetness, and the ginger pudding.
The food is less than 10 per cent fat and cost about £2.30 unless recipients are on special benefits. Customers will be able to choose from at least 20 dishes a week.
Freshcm – the English arm of international caterer ISS – plans to “streamline” the meals service that provides a lifeline to housebound, elderly and infirm people.
For some, frozen pizzas, curries and Chinese dishes will replace the hot meals delivered each day to more than 200 people.
But Cllr Gilbert added: “The point of the new service is to provide variety. People who are unable to use a microwave for a physical reasons will still get the daily hot meals.
“At the same time the frequency of how often the meals are delivered will depend on space in fridge-freezer and on disability. Most people who have meals will have other domestic help, so people will have somebody keeping an eye on them.” |
 |
|
| |
| Your Comments: |
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
