The fastest knife in the City: Showing an ability to chop things that probably has his assistant solicitors sweating, DLA's managing partner Nigel Knowles (pictured right) last month took part in a TV-style cooking competition at the firm's offices.

Run by Baxter and Platts, the firm's caterers, Mr Knowles and executive chef Chris Merdon went up against Catherine Usher, London office managing partner, and Matt Corviello, the director chef.

Watched by staff, they had 15 minutes to work up a two-course dinner from a bag of ingredients that cost 6.25, not a limit Obiter suspects either Mr Knowles or Ms Usher are used to when it comes to dining.

For the record, Mr Knowles's team knocked up rice cakes with Chinese chicken and noodles for a starter, followed by white pudding with sweet chillies, onions, walnuts and lime juice.