James Metcalfe
Bidding the relatively low sum of $300 at a televised charity auction and winning a free meal for two anywhere in the world courtesy of American Express, New York Times critic Craig Claiborne opted for a five hour and thirty one course meal at Parisian restaurant Chez Denis. Racking up a four thousand dollar tab on every item on the menu and enjoying several vintage wines, Claiborne’s mediocre review of the menu triggered outrage across the world who believed it wrong that someone be so gluttonous in a world where so many are wanting. The incident was so strong that even the current Pope at the time, Pope Paul VI called it ‘scandalous’.
