Photo: Comstock

A 40-year-old Seattle man celebrated the big four-oh with a numerically appropriate chowdown: a 40 course dinner he prepared himself with the help of some friends. The mega-meal, shared with several dozen guests, wasn't cheap, of course. Birthday Boy Ian Saunders estimated it cost about $2,500, including tableware and glassware rental. One reason for the expense: Saunders insisted every course be French (he visits Paris annually).

To get to 40 without busting a gut, Saunders made some of the dishes just a bite or two, with the last reportedly being a single strawberry with a dollop of lemon quark.

Saunders' birthday bash took place in mid-August. A few weeks later, with the start of the NFL season, millions of guys no doubt wondered what the big deal was about a 40-course meal. That's easily a typical Sunday afternoon doubleheader: a dozen slices of pizza, a dozen or so wings, a plate of nachos, plus the 12-pack of beer and you're there…