Egg McMuffin Inventor dies at 89

Herb Peterson, inventor of the Egg McMuffin, has died, a Southern California official of McDonald's restaurants said yesterday (Wednesday). He was 89. Now that must be some testament to so-called junk food. I bet a lot of those posers, as Sir Alan Sugar calls them, who frequent restaurants where you get such things caramelised seaweed sitting on top of seared tuna steaks don't live as long. But it won't be the food that shortens their lives, it will be the attitude!

Now I don't frequent fast food restaurants that much, but I'm not snobbily opposed to them either. I'd rather a thousand Herb Petersen's served me food than one self-righteous foody, lips all smothered with sour sauces and red meat! McDonald's has taken a battering recently. Funny how fish and chip shops (where you get a literal battering!) don't. I love fish and chips. I quite like Egg McMuffins, but don't crave them. That's the point. There's nothing wrong with the food in McDonald's, it's the fact that some people can't help over indulging.

We get "you can't do this, you can't do that!" from the nanny state. New Labour is so keen on the can'ts. "Health and safety", they scream. Yes, in their right place, of course. But not to restrict choice, to restrict fun, or just to be plain bloody-minded.

Whilst staying at a friend's in Atlanta, I remember admitting that I'd be to Mrs Winner's Chicken & Biscuit. An outlet I just love! "You've been there!?!" I was beratingly asked. "Sorry, Bob", I limply replied, trying a repenting technique, but thinking "that's not going to put me off!"

I don't gorge on the stuff, but I don't want to be told by foody-freaks, who may end up with some ulcer or something, what I can and can't do. I like good food, posh nosh or otherwise. So goodbye Herb. You gave the world a fun thing. 89 is a hell of a lot better than most. And St. Peter probably won't mention it on any sin list!