Where we simply cannot compete is in 'fast food' offerings.

Pick up a baguette with ham and cheese from a bog standard hole-in-the-wall nook at the train station and the baguette will be crusty outside, light and chewy in the centre, the cheese will be a creamy mozzarella or a crumbly mature cheddar and the ham gently smoked and flavour-packed - no shortcuts, no inferior produce, no cheap grated bits of unnecessary carrot or limp lettuce to pad things out.

Salad and sandwich outlets abound, each as good, if not better, than the next and perhaps therein lies the answer - competition is stiff and punters have risen to the occasion.

The answer for the SA market? We, the public, have simply got to demand better, and outlets have to realise that better doesn't necessarily mean more expensive - just good, honest grub at fair prices will do nicely, thank you very much.

The other area we fall short in is supermarket offerings. Admittedly our grocery stores are beginning to compete in a more meaningful way when it comes to 'gourmet' convenience food and the quality of fresh produce (as opposed to simply focusing on price). Nevertheless that focus and delivery is still largely the domain of high end grocery stores and delis, and so come with price tags to match.

In London the level of innovation and quality spans the shelves - upper, middle or lower end stores all offer an inspiring array of ready-to-eat meals and gourmet-style tidbits. And the merchandising and quality of all fresh produce is pretty much interchangeable, whether you're in a high end Waitrose or middle-of-the-road Tesco.

Why? Again it's a case of supply and demand. And the British public demands it. 

But rather than moan about our fate I say let's change it. Let's rise to the challenge and be part of elevating the quality of the supermarket and 'fast food' offerings in South Africa.  Make suggestions, don't settle for second grade, demand better and demand more frequently.

Stand up and be counted, we all deserve it.

What do you think about the quality of supermarket and 'fast food' offerings in this country?

Here's to the start of summer and winding down the year…

Buy your copy of EAT-IN now

Buffalo Ridge's Mozzarella di Bufala!
Yes, it's in our fridges and we're still savouring the taste of this exquisite product that won the prestigious overall prize of best new product in the third annual Eat In RMB Private Bank South African Produce Award.

Winners, across 16 delicious categories, were announced earlier this month at the Old Biscuit Mill, a Cape Town hot spot that hosts the trendy Neighbourgoods Market every Saturday.

What to buy and taste and where to go?
See who and what were voted best produce, best small producers, outstanding outlets and best markets.

Buy your copy of Eat In 2009 here and get 25% discount

There are 770 listings of every worthwhile foodie outlet known to man. Make sure to take it along on your next road trip or Christmas holiday so you’ll always know where to find the freshest fish, creamiest cheese or crustiest ciabatta to indulge in while resting your stressed-out self.

Curtis Stone and good food and wine
Drop-dead gorgeous Australian chef, Curtis Stone, and British-born Caribbean food maestro, Patrick Williams, will be the star attractions at The Good Food and Wine Show taking place from October 30 to November 2 at The Coca Cola Dome in Northgate.

Consumer rights recognised: GM foods will be labelled in South Africa
History was made when the Department of Trade and Industry handed down a ruling for mandatory labelling of genetically modified foods.

Feast-de-renaissance™ makes a splash on the culinary scene
Feast-de-renaissance™, conservers of piquant summer fruits, are making a splash on the culinary scene, reaping one award after another.

Whilst swanning around London, I ate at Le Café Anglais, which has just recently won the Best New Restaurant of the Year at the London Restaurant Awards. The large, bustling brasserie in Bayswater serves Anglo French food. Chef Proprietor Rowley Leigh describes his menus as "proudly English and utterly unashamed of our debt to France". While I don't think the food was 5-star fare, I did think the starter of Parmesan Custard with Anchovy toasts was a little bit of heaven. Here is the recipe for you to try out at home.

Parmesan Custard with Anchovy Toast

• 300 ml single cream
• 300 ml milk
• 100 grams finely grated Parmesan
• 4 egg yolks
• salt, pepper, cayenne
• 12 anchovy fillets
• 50 grams unsalted butter
• 8 very thin slices of pain de champagne

Mix cream, milk and all but a tablespoon of the cheese in a bowl and warm gently over a pan of boiling water until the cheese has melted. Allow to cool completely before whisking in the egg yolks, salt, finely milled white pepper and a little cayenne.

Lightly butter 8 china moulds of 80 ml capacity and pour in the mixture. Place the moulds in a pan of boiling water, cover with buttered paper and bake in a low oven, 150°C, for 15 minutes or until the mixture has just set.

Mash the anchovies and butter to a smooth paste and spread over four of the slices of bread. Cover with the remaining bread and toast in a sandwich maker/Panini machine. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan over the warm custards and brown gently under a hot grill. Cut the toasted anchovy sandwiches into little fingers and serve alongside the custards.

Serves 4

Taste of Jo'burg!
9 - 12 October
Fancy sampling the fare of 16 of Johannesburg's top restaurants? Then you got to be there. It promises to be the most exciting food and drink event this year. From 9 - 12 October at Montecasino.

Foot of the Helderberg Festival 
10 - 12 October
Bilton Wine Estate - the picturesque farm situated on the verdant slopes of the Helderberg in the heart of the Stellenbosch wine region - will be a hub of festivities with loads of fun-filled activities for young and old during this year's Foot of the Helderberg Festival from Friday, 10 October until Sunday, 12 October.

Robertson Wine on the River
17 - 19 October
The inimitable and ever-popular Robertson Wine on the River is returning to the banks of the Breede River for the third year from 17 - 19 October. The event will take place in a spacious marquee at the charming riverside farm, Goudmyn.

PROEtoria
17 - 19 October
"We drank wine, tasted cheese and ate olives at different events in the Cape, but now we would like to create the unique opportunity in Gauteng, which could become a highlight on the culinary calendar," Celeste Ras. Taking place at Cornwall Hill College.

RMB WineX Joburg
28 - 31 October
An absolute must on the Johannesburg wine calendar. Taking place from 28 - 31 October at the Sandton Convention Centre. New look décor for 2008 will be unveiled.

Good Food and Wine Show - Gauteng
30 October - 1 November
The Good Food & Wine Show brings the best of global food and drink trends to you on a platter. The event is taking place from 30 October - 1 November at Gallagher Estate, Gauteng.