Cooee! It's the pie and mash club, atop the 341 homnibus to Mount Pleasant. Pictured, from left, Rik Lukas, 'Jet' Tanner and Gabriella Page-Fort who travelled all the way from the Upper East Side (that's New York to you mate, not Hackney Wick.) We were greeted at Clark's by the cheery trio of Neil Burkey, Tom Leader and Christopher Fagg. They had already had theirs.

There's Jet. Observe his dynamic grip on the cutlery — equipped equally well for a gentle forehand gob-shot, or a ferocious back-hand 'mash'. His pro-tennis career was tragically curtailed by pies, cream cakes and beer, but he still retains the old magic. Claire Kelly added a certain hip-ness and 'je ne sais quoi, chuck' to our get-together.

It was no great surprise to find laid-back lothario Matthew Lowing dining with the ladies. Who better to guide these p-n-m beginners gently through the art of pie-n-mash? Unfortunately it ended badly for Gabriella and Claire, with leftovers very much in evidence and contributing to a negative tally. However newcomer and newly-wed Geeta Mehta showed courage and resolve by leaving nothing more than a clean plate. Note the radiant glow of enjoyment on her face.

Despite my best efforts to reserve your just desserts, there were no afters on the day. Chas was on his own down there in the basement kitchen, while brother Dave was sunning himself in far-flung Cyprus. Can we hope that he'll bring back a citrussy consignment for a batch of lemon meringue pies?

If not there could be trouble.

Over and out,

St@