PARIS (AFP) - French President Jacques Chirac, whose recent comments on British and Finnish cooking provoked a minor diplomatic incident, claimed that French cuisine was part of the reason for the longevity of his compatriots.
"French cooking, it should be given the tribute it is due," he said, arguing that "it has perhaps, certainly, its role in the long life of the French people."
He caused a furore earlier this month when he was overheard saying British cuisine was the worst in the world after Finland's and joking "the only thing they have done for European agriculture is 'mad cow'" at a Franco-German-Russian summit in Russia.