“Row over shepherd’s pie ends in court.“
Yes, it’s a “row,” and it’s not just any pie. So we know this is a British melee. And, unsurprisingly, alcohol was involved, though not, apparently, in the recipe.
A row over the correct way to make shepherd’s pie ended up in court after a disagreement between two brothers turned violent.
The cook didn’t top the pie with tomatoes. According to the prosecutor, his sibling (and guest) thought “this was wrong.” Then, “His brother, a chef, claimed a layer of tomatoes was not the appropriate way to finish off a shepherd’s pie, and responded by hitting him over the head with a shovel.”
After that, according to the Telegraph, the argument “got out of control.”
In court, District Judge Peter Ward “told the defendant that, in his view, there was no need for a layer of tomatoes on a shepherd’s pie.”
The case continues.
15 responses so far ↓
SteveC // April 22, 2008 at 10:31 am
Only in Britain. Sigh.
Jon // April 22, 2008 at 10:32 am
Tomatoes may not be necessary in a Shepherds/Cottage pie but I prefer it with. I haven’t tried using a shovel to persuade my wife but maybe next time.
Patti // April 22, 2008 at 11:51 am
Tomatoes on shepherd’s pie? Well, I’d best not side with the chef brother without trying it, but I’m envisioning pink, soggy mashed potatoes and not finding it a pretty sight.
Don // April 22, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Wait, where the heck did the shovel come from?
susan // April 22, 2008 at 12:50 pm
And I’ll bet there was a side of tomayto/tomahto going on as well.
I’ll bear this cautionary tale in mind next time I have to remind my partner THERE IS NO OATMEAL IN RHUBARB CRISP.
susan // April 22, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Odd, come to think of it, that it was siblings having this argument. People generally go to bat for The Way Mom Made It.
daveg // April 22, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Tomatoes to finish off shepherd’s pie? Wrong, wrong, wrong. Gotta be spud.
There’s something about the British courts and food. I found out recently that there was actually a court case to determine whether Jaffa Cakes were indeed cakes or biscuits (because the VAT on importing biscuits is higher than cakes). One of the main arguments was that “when cakes go off they get hard, but when biscuits go off they get soft. When Jaffa Cakes go off, the get hard. Ergo, cakes.” While they didn’t exactly rest their case there, I think it’s one of my favourite legal arguments.
Patti // April 22, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Susan, just a question: if there’s no oatmeal in rhubarb crisp, what makes it crisp?
susan // April 22, 2008 at 2:52 pm
A lovely crust of flour, sugar, egg, oil and baking powder. Just like my grandmother and mother always made it.
C.D. Reimer // April 22, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Don, I would presume that the shovel came from the shepherd that went into the pie.
Monita // April 22, 2008 at 3:07 pm
C.D., who made this pie, Mrs. Lovett and Sweeney Todd??
Patti // April 22, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Mmm, sounds good, Susan. I think I would call it “cobbler” because the topping sounds just like my mommy’s peach cobbler. Must keep a close eye on the rhubarb patch to catch it at just the right moment.
Meg // April 22, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Lordy, C.D. Round these parts, shepherds are gentle folk who herd their flocks with a staff, not a shovel. And it’s the little lambies who go into the pie.
susan // April 23, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Perhaps local by-laws require shepherds to stoop and scoop these days. A shovel would come in handy.
djpaterson // April 24, 2008 at 6:08 am
A layer of tomatoes on shepherd’s pie? Preposterous!
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