Food fight

Re: Death To The Chicken Finger, Feb. 7. When I was a kid, my mother often told me to eat my vegetables or go without. This was a simpler time before nutritional experts and psychologists lectured us on everything.

I might not have enjoyed the brussels sprouts, but at least I was able to eat in peace.

John Clench, Vancouver.

I nearly choked on my chicken nugget when I read Adam McDowell’s piece about the coming apocalypse brought by the lowly chicken finger and its cousins on the kids’ menu. I don’t know what was tougher going down — the snobbery that was thicker than potato and leek soup or the crème anglaise richness of it coming from someone who seemingly doesn’t

have children and has no idea of the daily lives of those of us who do.

First, what exactly is wrong with the chicken finger? It’s rich in protein, iron and, yes, even fat growing kids need. Chicken fingers under other names are worldwide staples of various diets foodies would pay good money for if the menu language was different — schnitzel (German), scaloppine (Italy), filete-empanado (Spain), milanesa (South America), and katsu (Japan). Chicken cordon bleu is actually a breaded chicken cutlet stuffed with cheese. Sounds like something off the kids’ menu.

No so long ago, hamburgers, mac and cheese, and grilled cheese sandwiches were lowly food only found at the bottom of the back page of the menu. Now, they’ve been sexed up and are as fashionable as fishbowl-sized wine glasses.

Foodies need not fret. The invasion of the chicken finger will not mean the death of their beloved restaurants. It’s not the end of the world, it’s only the kids’ menu.

Mark Johnson, Toronto.