Food matching for minors

Keen though I am on food and drink matching I’m not sure this latest initiative from London restaurant Roussillon (www.roussillon.co.uk) isn’t going just a shade too far. Apparently chef Alexis Gauthier, a father himself, feels that tinies’ tastebuds should be honed at the earliest possible age and is offering a free seven course gourmet menu on the first and third Wednesday lunchtime of every month to children accompanied by an adult. (Doesn’t he know that at that time of the week every self-respecting 7 year old is tucking into his Turkey Twizzlers?)

Among the recommended matches are light green pea soup and soft ricotta gnocchi paired with a green tea and honey shot, seared scallop and wild asparagus with a light pear velouté, steamed cod with crispy courgette-skin tempura with ginger cordial and braised lamb with herb mash potatoes served with Ribena Light. (Please, Alexis, no!)

I’m all in favour of encouraging children to develop their palate but this I fear runs the risk of making them a laughing stock among their peers.

Just take them to a good bistro and let them tuck in . . .