More shops, pubs, restaurants and food service outlets than ever before are taking part in British Food Fortnight which takes place 22nd September to 7th October.
In the build-up to the event, 34,000 shops, pubs and restaurants have been sent information about sourcing food produced under British assurance schemes and carrying British quality marks; and 35,000 schools have been invited to teach pupils how to prepare simple meals using British produce and provided with a network of 9,000 chefs who are on-hand during the event to teach children about the delights of British food.
All schools are being invited to bring chefs into the classroom to teach children how to prepare simple meals using the best of Britain’s in-season produce and to enter the British Food Fortnight ‘Cook for Life’ Challenge, sponsored by Kenwood, to find the school that incorporates cookery in the national curriculum in the most imaginative and innovative way.
Additionally:
- Morrisons, Asda, Tesco, Waitrose and Somerfield are all expected to be running British promotions during the Fortnight.
- A mass of British food promotions and in-store tastings are planned in Budgens, independents, delicatessens and even some petrol forecourt stores.
- Five of the largest food service organisations (ARAMARK, Compass Group, Sodexho, Brakes and 3663), four major pub groups (Mitchells & Butler, Punch Taverns, Enterprise Inns and Marston’s Pub Company), three of the main tourism organisations (National Trust, Youth Hostel Association and VisitBritain) and the leading catering association (British Hospitality & Restaurant Association) are all taking part. Together they represent over 20,000 pubs and 42,000 restaurants so there will be an abundance of British food on menus during the Fortnight.
- 700 Sodexho restaurants are running special British menus with dishes such as Roast British Lamb, Braised British Beef and British Beef Hot Pot.
- Brakes is introducing 12 new British products for the Fortnight including British Beef Mince, British Diced Beef & Kidney, Toad in the Hole, British Diced Braising Steak, British Autumnal Seasonal Roasting Vegetable Mix and Romney Marsh Peas and has launched a new ‘Best of British’ website for its customers in time for the Fortnight.
- Retailers and caterers are joining forces as part of the Fortnight’s initiative to teach children about the delights of British food. 60 Budgens’ stores are supplying their local schools with 100 aprons plus locally-sourced ingredients so that their pupils can take part in the national food celebrations; and 50 ARAMARK chefs will be giving cooking lessons in their local schools.
Organiser Alexia Robinson 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.”
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 3663, Brakes, Compass Group, Country Markets, Food from Britain, Guild of Q Butchers, Mitchells & Butlers, National Farmers’ Union, National Trust, Punch Taverns, Sodexho, Tenant Farmers Association and VisitBritain.
