Gastropod

MARCO PIERRE WHITE's been a busy boy lately, what with replacing all of Damien Hirst's artworks with his own (yes, his own) at his Soho restaurant Quo Vadis, and his attempts to get a blue plaque put on the Quo Vadis exterior to commemorate - ahem - himself (presumably next to the one of a former resident called Karl Marx).

But there is no rest for the genius of the gas-stove, as it looks as if he may be working over the Millennium. Two of his restaurants, Criterion and Mirabelle, are being auctioned for the Millennium night at Sotheby's on Wednesday 21 July. The Criterion, which seats around 200, is expected to fetch around pounds 75,000-pounds 90,000; but if you prefer something a little more exclusive, Mirabelle - which seats 140 - is also likely to fetch around the same amount (nearly pounds 600 per guest). We presume that service is included. Sotheby's (0171-293 6423).

THE GASTROPOD usually views self-invented theme weeks - you know, "National Ear Wax Week", "National We-Love-Ann-Widdecombe Week" - with a healthy amount of scepticism. However, Belgian Beer Week is something the Gastropod can only approve of, being a favourite tipple of molluscs across Europe. If you want to try out some Lambics, get acquainted with Kriek or even get fruity with Framboise, call 0171-761 1748 to find a pub in your area where you can - most of the (hundreds of) participants are in London, Nottingham, Edinburgh or Glasgow.

JUST WHEN we thought the tide had turned against vast new restaurants opening in London's West End, the Gastropod hears that a new 1,000-seater is in the pipeline, to be called Sugar Reef. It might just be the last of the dinosaurs, as Westminster Council is unlikely to approve the building of any more - "gastrodomes" are thought to upset local residents (and precious few diners have kind words for them either). Sugar Reef should open in October on the site of a former amusement arcade in Great Windmill Street. With an American menu costing up to pounds 35 per head, let's hope eating there is less of a lottery than losing a few quid in a slot-machine.

FANCY A day out next Sunday? "Britain's biggest-ever organic picnic" is being organised by Greenpeace, the Soil Association and "The Picnic" next Sunday, 25 July from noon until 5pm, in the grounds of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London. It's primarily an anti-GM protest, but also on the menu is children's entertainment, food-tastings and cookery displays, plus a sprinkling of B-list celebs are expected to show up. Admission is free, but bring your own food - organic, naturally. Alternatively, if you fancy some extra spice in your life, try the Thai Food Festival on the same day, all day, in Battersea Park, south London. Expect to find 45 food stalls, a dragon parade, martial arts and cookery demonstrations.

GASTROPOD HAS been following events in Paris, where a constellation of Michelin-starred chefs stand accused, in court, of accepting substantial cash bribes (up to pounds 300 each per month) to favour one fish-supplier over others. If the jury decides the chefs are guilty, they face substantial fines for "passive corruption" in a practice which has been going on for more than a decade, at a cost to the fish-supplier of around pounds 50m.

Gastropod is slightly bemused by this, as stories of "incentives" of various types in favouring suppliers are fairly common on both sides of la Manche - hardly surprising when catering pays notoriously low wages, and even top chefs might feel the need to supplement their income. Gastropod simply turns a deaf ear to stories about similar incentive schemes operating in Britain - we are British, so this kind of thing can't happen here.

In years past, when Gastropod used to slave away as a kitchen plongeur, being given the scraps from the top tables was considered payment enough.