Meades's Taunton taunt infuriates West Country
01 January 2000
FOOD writer Jonathan Meades has stirred up a storm in the West Country after praising new Taunton brasserie Brazz - then insulting the town and its locals.
Meades's disparaging comments in The Times Magazine even brought an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons from local MP Jackie Ballard, who demanded an apology.
After praising the brasserie, opened by Kit Chapman of the Castle hotel and TV chef Phil Vickery, Meades's article described Taunton as "uncouth in a boorish, West Country sort of way," and a "playground of squaddies and agri-yobs".
He said of the locals: "Where do you park your combine harvester?" and intimated that they take part in sexual activities with sheep.
