Tubby Telford

6,626 calories, 9" high and £15 - The Titanic Burger was introduced 8  months ago and 400 have won the challenge (eat within 45 minutes and get a T shirt and a free main course on your next visit) of the 2,000 sold including one competitive person who ate it in 7 minutes.

40oz of meat including burgers, chicken breast, bacon, cheese, onion rings, waffles, buns, salad and mayonnaise plus milkshake and chunky chips.  Not sure Oscars in Telford has heard of the Responsibility Deal.

Do You Know Anybody Who Wants to be Fat?

Have you switched on to obesity and calorie counts?  It does make you think and I am sure it will alter demand over time.   That daily latte looks dangerous!  No, we don't want to stifle the creativity and innovation of homemade food and changing menus but how about showing information on at least some bought-in items?

Proud Purveyors of Cake

Photo:Michelle Meiklejohn

Is there a problem?  

Check out the most chilling set of powerpoint slides -

http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/downloads/obesity_trends_2009.ppt

and although it is the USA, something similar is happening here.  Cafes are proud purveyors of cake so what can we do? 

The British Hospitality Association is recommending caterers provide calorie information as part of the government's Responsibility Deal.

Suggestion: have one or two items that you always sell marked with their calories - or Weight Watcher ProPoints - so that you show willing, inform customers and take a small step to being part of the solution.