A friend of one of the Editors¹

recently asked him the rather morbid-sounding question, 'What would

your death row meal be?' Now, we're all

aware of the poignantly tragic custom that affords inmates in

prisons on 'death row' the opportunity to request a

last meal on the actual day of their execution². In fact, the custom of preparing for the condemned a special meal is an ancient one and widespread; even Samurai warriors before committing ritual hara kiri would have a special meal preprared for them consisting of their favourite foods.

However, moving away if we can from the ghaslty business of state execution and suicide - but bearing in mind the words 'ritual' and 'food' - we would like to know if there is a meal that is singularly special to you, that perhaps somehow even defines you? A sort-of Desert Island meal.

This week we're getting a bit philosphical about food. We're imagining that special 'last meal'.

• What would your imaginary last meal be?

• Is there a meal or foodstuff that somehow sums you up, or perhaps even defines you? For some it could be chocolate; for others, bacon.

• Do you feel emotionally connected to food? Does it conjure up for you special memories or associations with childhood; does it even evoke a sense of place or nationality?

• What's your earliest memory of eating food?

• Do we think about food too much? Or do we not think about it enough?