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The sixth British Food Fortnight starts this weekend. Running from 22nd September to 7th October, the next two weeks sees the biggest ever national celebration of the diverse and delicious range of food that Britain produces.
Highlights include:
BRITISH FOOD FORTNIGHT OVERTAKES FRANCES LA SEMAINE DU GOUT
organisations representing over 9,000 chefs have volunteered to go into schools during the event to teach children how to cook, signifying the biggest mass movement geared to teaching children about food. This means that British Food Fortnight has over-taken Frances long-running La Semaine du Gout that sends chefs into French schools every October to teach children about the delights of their national cuisine. RECIPE FOR SUCCESS IN THE CLASSROOM
hundreds of schools are inviting chefs into the classroom to give cooking lessons, visiting farms and allotments and touring local butchers and greengrocers as they take up the challenge to include food and cookery within their curriculum teaching during the Fortnight. NEW RESEARCH INTO YOUNG PEOPLES KNOWLEDGE OF BRITAINS FOOD HERITAGE
how many children in the South West know where Cheddar Cheese comes from? Research into this and knowledge of other foods will be published during the Fortnight. EAT YOUR WAY AROUND BRITAIN
food festivals in Aldeburgh, the East Midlands, West Sussex, South Somerset, Malvern, York, Leicestershire, Manchester, Alnwick and the Brecon Beacons; Quince and Apple Days at National Trust properties; famous landmarks made out of British wheat being exhibited in London and special harvest festival celebrations. ON THE MENU
restaurants, pubs, tourism attractions, hospitals and staff canteens will be putting British meats, fruits and vegetables on their menus. Five of the largest food service organisations, four major pub groups, three of the main tourism organisations and the leading chef and catering associations are all taking part. Together they represent over 20,000 pubs and 42,000 restaurants so expect to see an abundance of British food on menus during the next two weeks. SHOP TILL YOU DROP
shop shelves will be bursting with British produce as retailers compete for the 34% sales increases that the event generates. Five of the biggest supermarket chains are expected to be running British promotions during the Fortnight. A mass of promotions and in-store tastings are planned in all Budgens stores, independents, farm shops and even some petrol station forecourt stores. And the public is invited to Taste British Gold in free tastings of speciality foods in over 500 delicatessens.
Alexia Robinson, organiser of British Food Fortnight says: “Last year a leading representative of the food industry commented ‘British Food Fortnight works and it should be named British Food Forever! and this really says it all. Whether you are a shop owner, a teacher, a chef or a member of the public, British Food Fortnight is inspiring people to re-discover the diverse and delicious food our country produces. The event is now much more than a fun focal point for our national produce: it has become a major mass movement that is changing the way we choose, cook and enjoy our food.’”
For further information and details of specific events taking place across the country see the What's Happening pages by following this link.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
For further media information and photography, please contact
Alexia Robinson or Jennifer Meakin
T: 020 7840 9292.
British Food Fortnight is sponsored by Nationwide, Budgens and ARAMARK and features the British Food Fortnight Cook for Life Challenge sponsored by Kenwood. It is supported by over 45 organisations led by Brakes, Compass Group, Country Markets, Guild of Q Butchers, Mitchells & Butlers, National Farmers Union, Punch Taverns, Sodexho, Tenant Farmers Association and VisitBritain. |
