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The Sandwich Celebrates 250th Birthday (13th May, 2012)
The sandwich is 250 years old this weekend and residents in the English town of Sandwich, where the bread meal was first eaten, are celebrating their culinary history. According to the town’s records the English nobleman Earl, John Montague first ordered a sandwich in 1762. It is reported he was playing cards with friends and wanted something he could eat without a knife and fork. He requested slices of beef between two pieces of bread, and so the sandwich was born. Montague chose to live in Sandwich over another port town, Portsmouth. Had he chosen the latter, we would be eating portsmouths today. It is perhaps a coincidence Sandwich is just a few kilometres from the town of Ham.

The 11th Earl of Sandwich, also named John Montagu, hosted a celebratory lunch in honour of his ancestor and his contribution to the global fast food industry. He told reporters: “My ancestor…could never have imagined that his simple invention would spawn a multi-billion dollar industry, employing hundreds of thousands of people." He added: "My favourite sandwich is a traditional one - roast beef and hot horseradish on freshly baked bread.” Organisers of the celebrations are equally excited about the historic event. Mandy Wilkins said: “The sandwich is a global food and Sandwich, our town, is just a little town full of medieval buildings. It's bizarre that such an important food item should be named after us.

1) What occasions are best to eat sandwiches?

2) How much of a contribution is the sandwich to the global fast food industry?

3) Is the sandwich more successful than the hamburger? yes/ no / why????