Celebrity recipe 'most unhealthy'

The chef is not encouraging people to eat the pie all the time

A sweet pie concocted for children by television chef Antony Worrall Thompson is one of the least healthy ever dreamed up, a food watchdog has said.

One slice contains more than 1,250 calories, the Food Commission says. Estimated daily average requirements are 2,550 for men, and 1,940 for women.

The pudding mixes five Snickers bars with mascarpone, eggs, sugar, soft cheese and puff pastry.

Mr Worrall Thompson said the dessert was an occasional children's treat.

'Taste buds tickled'

An article in the commission's magazine, Food, said: "Professional chefs know only too well that customers often put taste before health when ordering dishes in restaurants.

Obviously this goes straight on the hips and is not for regular use Antony Worrall Thompson

"Salt, sugar and fats are used in copious quantities to ensure that diners get their taste buds well and truly tickled."

It calculated that a single slice of the "calorific pudding" provides over 1,250 calories from sugar and fat alone - a serving equivalent to around 22 teaspoons of fat and 11 teaspoons of sugar.

"We love a decent dessert as much as anyone, but surely this has to be one of the most unhealthy recipes ever published?!" it continued.

'Nothing in excess'

The Snickers pie recipe featured in the celebrity chef's Saturday Kitchen BBC television show more than two years ago. The recipe had also been on the BBC Food website, though the link to the page does not currently work.

Mr Worrall Thompson said: "Obviously this goes straight on the hips and is not for regular use.

"We are not encouraging people to do this all the time. My message is don't exclude any food groups. We try to tell everyone to eat in moderation and nothing in excess."

He said as the television programme was on TV on Saturday mornings, it sometimes attracted children and they had to feel they were "being looked after".

"Kids have to be allowed to be kids from time to time. I think prohibition is when you start getting kids eating behind your back. It is better to give them a treat from time to time."

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