EDITORIAL
On behalf of my publisher and all those who have helped in one way or another to bring this weekly Pot-Pouri to you for another year, may I wish you “The Compliments of the Season”. I shall not concern you with worries about water, the economy, global warming or financial melt-down, but look back on a few personal moments in a year full of interest. There was joy and fun, pain and sadness and some marvellous company of friends, family and colleagues in the food and wine business.
Much to look back on. Especially the human spirit. They say “80 is the new 60”, and it is astonishing to note the youthfulness and activity of so many people who have passed their allotted span of “three score years and ten”. On broaching a bottle of Champagne to two long-time friends visiting from England, the wife remarked: “How lovely! I adore Champagne. When I’m old, I shall drink it every day”. She’s 72.
In 2008 I enjoyed: my best fish meal of the year at “Pyxida”, Nicosia; the best Gala Dinner was the Albert Bichot Bash at le Meridien, when the cooking was exemplary; I revelled in the arrival in Cyprus of my long-time favourite Rioja “Marques de Riscal”, which I shall enjoy tomorrow with my turkey and ham.
I had the daunting task of tasting more Champagne this year than ever before – and formed a liking for it that could prove dangerous to my pocket. I felt enormously proud of growing from seed successions of tomatoes that graced the table from June until this week. I felt like I had given birth when the Cyprus Gourmet Magazine finally got published and wallowed in comments like “Classy”, “Fantastic” and “Great Contents”, taking careful notice of critical comments. And then, sadly, the year was marked by the passing of some super people, contemporaries, reminding one of one’s own mortality.
But best of all, my year was at its happiest for me, when I was in my kitchen and at my table. Lots of meals for two with Mary (to whom a special toast), and at other times with family and friends. Simple meals, mostly, but sufficient to raise a feeling of gratitude for being so fortunate.
Wherever you are dear reader, I wish you comfort and joy at this Christmas time.
Patrick Skinner
