You give cuisine a bad name

Over the years I lived in Spain I found myself on many occasions defending British food. We appear to have the reputation in Europe of having the worst food imaginable! Since then I have been trying to work out where the image of Britain only dishing up inedible stodge came from. I can state for a fact that many times this opinion about our national cuisine came from folk that have never set foot on our shores. 
I will always stick up for our traditional dishes. Who would turn down a hearty plate of Shepherd's Pie, a fragrant bowl of rhubarb crumble with cream or a homemade scone piled with clotted cream and raspberry jam? I admit these examples could hardly be called healthy - but most of our best international cuisine isn't: pizza, burgers, kebabs...

Rhubarb Crumble - gratuitous close-up (Photo: plated blog)

Yesterday I was with a Spanish friend wandering around Pollok Estate in Glasgow and in the grounds there is a beautifully maintained kitchen garden which at this time of year is bursting with fresh produce. All we talked about was what wonderful dishes could be made from the fruit and vegetables growing there. Britain does as Spain and uses what grows well seasonally to create our best dishes. The difference is that maybe the 'hearty' or 'comforting' aspect to our cuisine has somehow spilled over into unappealing territory. There are many cafes in Scotland which just do not pull their weight when it comes to promoting the best we have to offer. Since when was frozen breaded scampi and chips something worth paying £8 to £10 for? The tearoom in Pollok House actually use the ingredients grown on the grounds to prepare their seasonal dishes. And the menu there is exceptionally good. Haggis olives anyone? And scones the size of your face...