The Times they are a-changing

By Paul Fulford on Jan 29, 09 11:50 AM

There are many causes of irritation in modern life: people who eat fast food on buses, drivers who block junctions by jumping traffic lights to join the end of a traffic jam and, of course, anyone who speaks with an Estuary English accent.

But one of the greatest irritations of all seems finally to have evaporated as surely as West Bromwich Albion's chances of remaining in the Premier League.

I refer to the disregard that national newspapers have until now shown towards Birmingham, in particular its restaurant scene.

Small wonder for this re-evaluation when Birmingham can now boast three restaurants with Michelin stars - a number likely to rise to four next spring when Edmunds gets a the star it so obviously deserves.

A writer from the Times spoke to me at length this week about Birmingham's emergence from the culinary wilderness. His article is in that newspaper tomorrow (Friday).

It's good to know that the rest of the country is beginning to take us seriously. I look forward to the article.