I AM not at all sure that the great chef August Escoffier ever set fire to his pancakes, even accidentally (Maxine Gordon books a lunch date with Simon Girling of The Ritz, 19 March).

I am quite sure the verb flambé ought to be extinguished. Even if one approves of the wilful incineration of delectable food, one ought to retain a respect for the English language.

William Dixon Smith, Welland Rise, Acomb, York.