SOCCER star Martijn Reuser is not going to be eating humble pie today, after declining the offer of a meal from two top chefs.The comments dished up by Ipswich Town midfielder Martijn Reuser last week created food for thought and stirred up a hotpot of reaction after fans spotted his words on his website.

By Georgina James

SOCCER star Martijn Reuser is not going to be eating humble pie today, after declining the offer of a meal from two top chefs.

The comments dished up by Ipswich Town midfielder Martijn Reuser last week created food for thought and stirred up a hotpot of reaction after fans spotted his words on his website.

The £3million-rated player had said: "Ipswich and her surroundings have a lot to offer but unfortunately good food is definitely not one of them."

Many people have protested against his words, and written to the Evenign Star recommending restaurants for the Town ace to try.

They include Scott's Brasserie, Baipo Thai restaurant and Trongs to name but a few.

Two top chefs have now gone one step further and have offered to cook Martijn Reuser a meal to savour.

Unfortunately the heat in the kitchen appears to have got too much, and Mr Reuser has declined these offers.

Another Ipswich hero, speedway star Chris Louis has also joined in the argument with scathing remarks.

He said: "Has Martijn Reuser been searching for culinary delights with his eyes shut or just eating with a peg on his nose?

"If not he's obviously been looking in all the wrong places."

Mr Louis admits to liking his nosh and through his job has been fortunate enough to eat in various restaurants in many different countries.

He said: "Speedway takes me all over Europe, and being a bit of a food man myself I have sampled the wares in plenty of big shot cities, and to be honest very few have much more to offer than right here in Ipswich."

However, it seems that Martijn Reuser's comments might only be a mere aperitif before the main course is served.

Magda Louis, Chris Louis's stepmother, also joined in the steamy debate giving her backing to his comments.

She went one stage further and claimed there are no decent restaurants except in big cities "because there is no clientele for them."

But wait…. the meal is not over, there is still plenty left on the menu and here comes dessert.

Pat Doncaster - Chris Louis' mum - and her husband Jeremy Doncaster could not stomach the criticism thrown up by Mr Reuser and Mrs Louis.

They added extra stuffing saying: "Sorry Martijn and Magda but you are both wrong. There are many good restaurants in Ipswich and the surrounding area all serving good food.

"We have been to many different countries, including Poland, Holland and the USA and they all have their good and bad restaurants and Ipswich compares favourably with all."

Will there be another sitting to this feast or will there be saucepans at dawn among stirring factions?

N What do you think?

Should Martijn and Magda eat their words or do you agree with them? Write to Evening Star Letters, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 1AN, or e-mail StarNews@ecng.co.uk