Pity poor Ben Ainslie. The double gold winning Olympic sailing champ will traipse halfway across the world to represent Britain in the Chinese Olympics later this year.

But, after a hard day’s sailing, instead of sitting down to a slap-up feed of chicken choi mein, beef in black bean sauce or spicy prawn pancakes he’ll face boring English grub.

For reasons best known to themselves the old communists who run China are sending 400 chefs to Hastings College in East Sussex for ‘western style cooking lessons’ to cater for athletes and spectators at the 2008 Olympics.

So perhaps those dining at the Quigdao International Sailing
Centre can expect the following:

No 69) Pan fried battered Peking duck drizzled with OK Sauce and served on a bed of instant mash.

No 53) Par-boiled sea bass in a parcel of short-bread pastry, tossed in mayo and served on a bed of deep fried rocket.

No 13) Lightly fried squid rolled in breadcrumbs,and served with oven toasted chipped potatoes.

Sue Middlehurst principal at Hastings College said:’I have no doubt that college catering tutors will ensure the Olympic chefs will return to China with a number of new cooking skills.’

I don’t doubt that either.