Ira why is this surprising? Fois gras is not synonymous with pate; pate can be made from eggplant, or salmon. I guess I missed something here...

Carlux - How great to hear from you and from wonderful South Africa no less!
We can hardly wait. I guess until the fall we will have to content ourselves with overly expensive restaurants or the tinned stuff - I am intrigued with buying some from D'Artagnan. Apples and armagnac...mmmmm.