Supersizers gone!

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Posted at 1:10PM, 31 July 2009 by Danielle Theunissen - Editorial assistant, olive magazine

Well Monday nights are set to become a whole lot more dull. After a happy and slightly nauseating hour in Ancient Rome with Senator Giles Coren and vestal virgin Sue Perkins, the Supersizers finally met their end (smothered in rose petals).

The 1980s was a joyous flashback to the days of my youth, not that I was old enough to sport shoulder padded power suits

This series, Giles and Sue have eaten their way through the Eighties, the Fifties, the French Revolution, Ancient Rome, the Twenties and four hundred years of history in Medieval Britain. I can't say I've not had my favourites, because, well, I have. The 1980s was a joyous flashback to the days of my youth, not that I was old enough to sport shoulder padded power suits or throw back espresso until I started shaking violently.

I do, however, have only the fondest memories of the Pot Noodle, Viennetta and Ice Magic, which magically hardens on making contact with a bowlful of vanilla ice cream. In every episode, the Supersizers are confronted with a particularly horrifying concoction, which in the 80s comes in the form of the Cement Mixer, a violent cocktail of lemon juice and Baileys. If you've been avidly watching, you'll no doubt know what happened next...

The Fifties was a welcome contrast, with a touch of civilised dining, some much needed help from Mary Berry and a bake-off. 1953 sees the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and a mammoth buffet of coronation chicken, potato salad, potato crisps and, I'm pleased to announce, an item that has stood the test of time, the almighty cheese straw.

I'm filled with dread as France is handed over to Giles and Sue. They put their health on the line to consume what looks like two weeks' worth of food for the average British family, in around two days of banqueting. My fears are realised as Sue nearly suffocates Giles with a piece of ham the size of a small child; it really is quite fortunate neither of them is vegetarian. Dining in private, the King and Queen ate an altogether different menu - well, not so much the King. While Giles gorges himself on a mountain of meat, Sue sips at a pale broth, which is the only thing that would fit inside her skin-tight corset.

By far the most stomach-turning episode was spent in Ancient Rome. Like watching a horror film, my hand was sporadically slammed across my eyes as increasingly scary looking dishes were brought forth. Garum, which is, yes, essentially fish sauce, was used in just about everything. However, it doesn't come in an adorably sized bottle, but an urn of rotting fish guts. Imagine that added to your scrambled eggs in the morning.

With shoulder pads making something of a comeback, I'm ready to see the reintroduction of some 80s favourites. My local still serves up Cement Mixers on request, and the Pot Noodle never really disappeared, but some Ice Magic wouldn't go amiss. Do you have any childhood favourites that you'd like to bring back?

Comments

janine_from_olive

31 July 2009, 2:27PM
janine_from_olive

Vesta curry! The magic of just adding water to a packet of dehydrated beef, veg and powder and creating, well, curry. Space food at its best.

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The Hotpot Kid

31 July 2009, 2:33PM
The Hotpot Kid

I liked this program, well series really, but in many cases they only ate the menu of the lorded gentry and not the common man, perhaps next series you can redress this in-balance. many of these reality-reenactment programs are spent in dealing with relationships and conflicts among those involved, thankfully the 'Supersizers' managed to side-step this pitfall and deliver a good program. I hope you don't waste all that food you cook up for the program-give it to the homeless or for rescued pets or something. That's the worst crime in this country right now-waste!

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rozmorgan

1 August 2009, 10:08AM
rozmorgan

Loved the 1920's episode.

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schubun

1 August 2009, 1:39PM
schubun

Loved the 1950's episode, Sue and Giles make a fabulous partnership. Although some foods should definitely stay in the past, as a trip down memory lane my other half brought home a packet of crispy pancakes - reminded me of wallpaper paste slapped between cardboard, yet when I was younger I couldn't get enough of them!

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shez

7 August 2009, 4:15PM
shez

Bring back Arctic Roll! Found the series hilarious and the first foodie programee my hubby watched.

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magician

9 August 2009, 3:40PM
magician

Loved the series and the looks back. Think I am still eating in the 1980s, salmon pasta and Pinot Grigio. What stood the test of time? Mmmm difficult question maybe just good basic ingredients - you cant beat good bread. Laughed at the Vesta curry Janine, the magic when those prawn crackers appeared in the oil! I miss Angel delight, bring it back without the chemicals; or maybe you cant?

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