AUTHOR & SUBJECT.....

This is the photo NPR  took for their website 'broadcast' of the programme they did on the book. They came, to my home on Capitol Hill, for a mighty-M breakfast: apart from toast, bagels, crackers & you-know-what, there were marinated M-sausages; egg-salad impregnated with the stuff; Marm-A-Lite (M and marmalade); even a cake made with Marm-A-Lite and iced with a mix of Cheddar cheese, the black-magic and butter. Much more of a brunch than a breakfast! To 'hear' the broadcast, go to: http://m.npr.org/news/front/121135861?page=0

BEST-SELLER SUCCESS!

How about this for success! The book is now listed, by Amazon UK, on three of its 'best-seller' lists. It's listed fourth in dictionaries; fourth in food & drink encyclopaedias & dictionaries; 14th in books about British food. Of course, it is well known that these listings change by the hour. But at the moment Mish-Mash is riding high. As am I! If you want to see what all the hype is about go to: http://ww...w.amazon.co.uk/Mish-mash-Dictionary-Marmite-Tar-jar/dp/0956368603/ref=pd_ts_b_4?ie=UTF8&s=books

MORE ABOUT........

......the book for all tastes! No matter where you stand on the big Marmite ‘love-hate’ debate, you will find something in THE MISH-MASH DICTIONARY OF MARMITE to your liking.

As the title indicates, it reveals a mish-mash of information - from serious to silly, with lots of tasty nuggets in between - about the iconic British spread. From its beginnings as yeast-waste from the brewing industry to its use today in the finest restaurants, this book reveals the grip Marmite has on palates - and minds.

The tales it tells amount to a social-history, covering over 100 years. It’s crammed with insights into: how it all began, old-time recipes, new culinary tips, its place in medicine, its role in education and wars, its uses apart from eating it, and much more. All of which add up to an amazing feat for a humble food product.

But above all it’s a fun-packed read about the zany world occupied by Marmite. The ‘lovers’ will love it. But they’ll also hate it! Because of all the ammunition the ‘loathers’ will find, within its pages, to hurl at them. Even those who have no interest in Marmite, know nothing about it, will find something to grab them - and be converted. Either one way or the other!

A quick glance through the ‘ingredients’ - partially listed on the back-cover - shows how the book exposes the wild side of Marmite. In an A-Z format, it reveals the amazing Marmite-link between scores of diverse subjects. No other book reveals the impact - often extraordinary and frequently laughable - of this kitchen cupboard staple on the world.

It is the perfect gift book, for all occasions. It's an easy and 'tasty' way out of the dilemma that goes: what shall I get them?

New FaceBook Mighty-M Site!

There is a new way for FaceBook fans of Mish-Mash to express their love....go to: http://www.facebook.com/Marmite#!/pages/Mish-Mash-Dictionary-of-Marmite/108577815847730?ref=ts

Great take on the Book!

Journalist Karan Moses Robinson has written a great review of the book. It has some very funny observations. All the more so, because she is not to the taste born. Read it at:  http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2871920/the_mishmash_dictionary_of_marmite.html?cat=47

The Sincerest Form of Flattery....

So Uniliver, who wouldn't sanction the book, have 'nicked' the 'tar' reference!

In its latest promotion, for Marmite, it talks about 'Tarmite' - the product it threatens to market if the 'haters' win the Marmite general-election. The 'election' is Unilever's latest Marmite campaign. It's a take-off of the looming political battle, for Number 10, in Britain. Frankly, I think it's far too twee, contrived, over-the-top. Marmite can stand on its own. It doesn't need these constant promotions - it's the third this year - which are slanted towards the daft, reverse-thinking, etc. To see what I am going on about go to: http://www.marmitenewsnetwork.com/

KELLY'S AT IT AGAIN....

That well known Washington Post Wag, John Kelly, is at it again! He ended a recent column with another attack on the mighty-M. It read......

BE AFRAID

My former colleague Elizabeth Terry made me aware of a disturbing development on the yeast extract front: The makers of Marmite, the disgusting English condiment, have come out with a new, super-concentrated version. Called Marmite XO -- for "extra old" -- it is aged four times as long as normal Marmite and is said to be four times as strong. The name and classy label allegedly call to mind a fine port wine, though I'm sure the taste calls to mind the Odor Eaters of a grave-digging dipsomaniac. If ever there was a time to slap a trade tariff on a foreign product, it's now.

But on the basis that no publicity is bad publicity, have to thank John. Just wish I'd been around, when it was published. Instead I was sunning myself and suffering Marmite withdrawal in Honduras (see previous posting). Pity, because we could have had another lively exchange, and could probably have slipped-in a 'plug' for the book. But battle will re-commence the next time I come back from Britain. I will bring back a jar of XO and challenge him to a taste-test. Though the only way I know I'll get so much as a smear past his Marmite-bad-talking lips is to weigh him down with a container load of XO. But I will try....so watch-out Washington Post Wag!