The Americans kicked all this off with President Ronald Reagan, then came the Governator and now another country is in on the act. Thailand has just elected 'sleb TV chef and right-wing leader of the People's Power Party, Samak Sundaravej, as the country's new Prime Minister.
For the past seven years, the 72 year old has presented a popular weekly cooking show called "Tasting, Grumbling" where he rustles up an array of Nam Priks here, a sour, sweet Tom Yang Kung there followed by a Khao Soi for good measure. Celebrating victory at Bangkok's top food market on Monday, Sundaravej insisted that the show, the food show that is, must go on:
We still have three months of our new cooking show on tape. The constitution does not prohibit a prime minister from doing TV shows.
Early signs suggest the pressures associated with high office and running the world's largest rice exporting nation have done little to dent this politician's passion for food.
Sundarajev has what is referred to in diplomatic circles as a colourful past, and a number of the TV and radio shows he has worked on in have been described as 'hate spewing'.
During a stint as Bangkok mayor he approved the building of a housing scheme, the design of which was based on a corncob. For anyone who knows Thailand or who has had the good fortune to sample the fab, fresh and firey delights that line the boulevards and back alleys of Bangkok will understand how deeply foodie culture is etched into every Thai, whether they be an ex-mayor turned PM or Joe-normal office worker.
The link between Thai politics and food is clear in London too. British diners eating out in Aldwych in central London at the Thai Square eaterie will be aware of a sign proudly announcing that it had been named as the best restaurant in the UK ... by the Thai government.
So what next? Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall for Environment Minister, Keith Floyd to Health and Gordon Ramsay to reform the diplomatic service?
