I spent five years at America's Test Kitchen, the company behind Cook's Illustrated magazine, branded TV shows and umpteen cookbooks. "The
Best," or often "The Perfect," was in our corporate DNA: The Best Recipe. The Best Chicken Paprikash. The Perfect Cookie. The Perfect Pie, and on and on and on.
I was reminded of this while reading the 46 reader comments on our Red's Eats vs. Sprague's story this week, many of which were arguing over The Best Lobster Roll. Frankly, the concept has always sat uneasily
with me. Sometimes my meal is The Best because I am with my Best Mate, or watching The Best Sunset or capping The Perfect Summer Beach Day or ...
Granted, I like the fact that when I lived in New York City, people argued over The Best Bagels while here it's lobster rolls. It grounds me in Maine. Oh wait, we argue over bagels here, too. And admittedly, I haven't tasted several of the lobster rolls touted as Best (unavailable because the commenters make them themselves in their own kitchens). Still, I'm inclined to side with Kennebunkportindependent, whoever he or she is: "Everybody has their own favorite. Leave it at
that!"
Peggy Grodinsky, Food Editor
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