Not that there was normally any problem in wolfing back the plain, but delicious, food she cooked for us. Portions were generous to the point of huge and maybe reflected the satisfaction Grannie got from being able to feed her grandchildren in a way denied during the war years and food rationing. So we got fed.

Now it seems Broon has got on his soapbox to lecture us about food waste – visible proof if any were needed that the pair wee sowl is completely out of touch with reality, some say in more ways than just on the subject of the nation's grub.

For a start it can only be a matter of time until an astute and crafty reporter sneaks into some of the many kitchens in the Houses of Parliament to see how frugal our elected representatives are when it comes to their own provender. I suspect the word lavish might be appropriate, along with the vista of some of the best-fed dustbins in the land taking away what they can't tuck away at a sitting.

OK then, what about the ordinary folks like you and me? Do we, in fact, waste as much as the statisticians claim?

In The Pilgrim HQ eating plan, waste is not a problem. The Grey Hooligan and The Kitten from Hell have a splendid track record in polishing off leftovers, and dare I admit it, the pair of them are know to occasionally show a little impatience in the wait to be offered scraps, evidenced by the strange vanishing of tasty morsels left unguarded.

Mrs Pilgrim and I eat well, and both have a preference for simple food cooked simply and definitely not in the manner of the bunch of chancers who present cooking on the television.

Quite honestly, some if it looks revolting and most of it falls well short of my idea of a square meal. One of them is given to claim "a nice plate o' food" for his efforts, although I have eaten more and better between two slices of bread.

But the tellycookers are indeed a major influence on the eating society. Have you ever noticed that whatever obscure plant, bit of animal or fish is featured on the box, all the major supermarkets go big on the same stuff the following day.

A coincidence? Not on your nelly! Virtually millions of men and women who should really be mugging up on Delia's fine recipe for boiling an egg see this stuff and into the trolley it goes without a second thought.