I'm never quite sure when lauding is the word to go for, and because my approach to cookery is more or less the opposite of Mr Blumenthal's, I don't really pay much attention to his celebrity as being anything to do with eating. But he seems to have invented a Mas Amiel (well, AOC Maury anyway) milk shake smoothie. A summer sensation for the Murphys' soda fountains? Here's Decanter's article:
Blumenthal lauded for chocolate wine - decanter.com - the route to all good wine
Julian, you are a man after my heart. I can't imagine having fun cooking the way Mr Blumenthal is....and I don't think that I am going to try this 'wine-smoothie'.....but maybe I am simply not adventurious enough for this type of 'danger'.
You're right. It should be about fun, most if not all of the time.