Scientists discover healthier pizza

Food scientists and dieticians have found new ways to make pizza that is good for you. This is very welcome news for overweight pizza lovers and those who worry about their weight. Researchers in the USA looked at different ways of baking the pizza base. The team from Maryland University discovered that leaving pizza dough in the oven for a longer time made it healthier to eat. They said that doubling the amount of baking time increased the levels of antioxidants in the mix by up to 100 percent. Antioxidants help fight cancer and heart disease and are found in most healthy food. Furthermore, the team experimented with different cooking temperatures. Their results showed a higher heat also made the dough healthier to eat.

This new research may help pizza sales around the world. However, some diet experts warned that even though this research looks good, it is still better to eat fruit and vegetables. In addition, pizza that is baked longer may not be so healthy if people choose unhealthy toppings. Jacqui Lowdon, a British diet expert, warned that although the pizza base might be good for you, people might be “more likely to choose extra cheese”. She added: "This isn't teaching people about healthy eating." Nevertheless, the study’s author, Jeffrey Moore, said his findings were good for people who like deep-pan pizzas. Meanwhile, outside London’s Pizza Hut today, pizza fan Jo Lambert said: “This new pizza sounds healthy, although not if we have too much or have cola and fries with it.”

British cuisine found best in the world

A British restaurant that serves bacon and egg ice cream has been voted the best place in the world to eat in Restaurant magazine’s list of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. The Fat Duck restaurant, which was runner-up last year, claimed the coveted top spot. Owner and head chef Heston Blumenthal opened his restaurant ten years ago and soon developed a reputation for highly experimental and unorthodox dishes. The menu includes leather, oak and tobacco chocolates, sardine on toast sorbet, snail porridge, and mousse dipped in liquid nitrogen. He is self-taught and has pioneered the art of “molecular gastronomy” - experiments with chemistry, physics, food and flavour that result in unique and unusual taste combinations.

Nearly 600 international restaurant owners, chefs and journalists participated in the poll to rank the best restaurants worldwide. A further thirteen British restaurants made it onto the elite eateries list, four in the top ten. This gives the home of fish and chips an unusual reputation as a culinary paradise. Britain is infamous for its bland and uninspiring food, which is scoffed at by the more sophisticated palates of its French neighbours. However, it seems the tide is turning: France had only eight restaurants in the top fifty and London was named in March by Gourmet magazine as the Gourmet Capital of the World. Ella Johnston, editor of Restaurant magazine, said British people are now “becoming more adventurous eaters”.

Porsche

The world’s most profitable car manufacturer, Porsche, has announced in a press release* it will build a four-door car, to hit the roads in 2009. The luxury carmaker will invest $1.2 billion on the new vehicle. Porsche expects the new car, to be called the “Panamera”, to sell somewhere in the region of 20,000 models a year, which would make it the company’s best selling vehicle. The Stuttgart based factory is famed for the other three models that make up the Porsche line-up – the Boxster, the 911 sports car and the Cayenne SUV. Porsche’s announcement confirms rumors that have been rife on the Internet that “some delectable new creation” would be emerging from the company.

The car is to be built solely by Porsche in Stuttgart and bear the “Made in Germany” hallmark of quality. Dr. Wendelin Wiedeking, the President and CEO of Porsche, said: “The Panamera is the right car …as it has all the typical DNA characteristics of a genuine sports car. In terms of performance, design, and driving dynamics it meets Porsche’s high standards in every respect.… we are making our customers an attractive offer in the top performance segment.” The car will compete against other luxury family oriented models from Mercedes, Maserati, Aston Martin and Bentley. Porsche looks set to continue its uncanny knack of producing top quality automobiles for top profits.