Despite being half Italian, I identify myself as British.
And I love my country.
I do.
I know I don’t live there, but it is still somewhere very precious to me, both for my memories and my friends.
My Britishness affects quite a lot of what I do and how I do it.
Even to this day, if I see ‘bangers and mash’ on a menu, I’m going to have it.
It doesn’t matter if I’m in London, Shanghai or Vietnam … it’s going to go into my gob.
And when I do go home, I absolutely adore stocking up on old favourites.
Monster Munch crisps.
Double Decker chocolate bars.
Kebab Cob Special from Nick the Greeks on Radcliffe Road.
Of course it’s not just food that makes me feel British, but I mention this because I recently got served this ad on Facebook.
Look, I get how nostalgic food can make you feel.
And yes, I appreciate how irrational our emotions can be.
But seriously, who the hell would be nostalgic for beef stock cubes.
Especially pretty shitty beef stock cubes.
Suddenly I don’t feel anywhere near as sad as I thought I was.
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PS: If you want to get a taste for British regional ‘cuisine’ – as well as good old fashioned banter – check out the comments in this awesome article about the Wigan ‘pie sandwich’.