09 Sep It’s Time To Celebrate British!
That’s right! It’s time to celebrate the best of British with the British Food Fortnight. The British Food Fortnight runs from 21st September to 6th October and if you’ve never heard of it we’re here to tell you everything and let you know how you can join in the celebrations this year.
This recognition of British Food comes at a time when we’re not only welcoming in the new season of autumn but also celebrating the harvest festival. It’s fitting that the Food Fortnight should come at the time of the Harvest Festival as the festival is a traditional celebration of the harvest of crops grown on the land and shining light on the crops grown on British soil is the goal of the Food Fortnight.
Established in 2002, the British Food Fortnight was a positive initiative after a time of great hardship for the farmers of Britain, the Foot and Mouth Crisis. It has given an opportunity for those working in food and using British produce to promote the benefits of choosing to buy local. It probably goes without saying that those farmers hit by the foot and mouth crisis needed a campaign such as this back when it began and 17 years later it’s still going strong!
Businesses dedicated to working with the best of British produce mark the fortnight in many different ways, you may see special menus pop up in pups and restaurants or promotions in shops. To find out what’s happening in your area click here.
At Chef’s Compliments, highlighting local and seasonal produce is something we’re dedicated to throughout the year. Check out our recommendations for the best crops for your autumn menu here.
You can get involved in the Food Fortnight this year by simply changing your buying habits and reaching for the British products when you’re next in the supermarket. There are many reasons why it’s great to support British produce. It’s evident from the story of the beginnings of the British Food Fortnight that it’s a great opportunity for British farmers but what are the benefits for us as consumers? We’ve broken down the best reasons why you should pick local, seasonal produce next time you shop.
Why shop seasonal and local?
- By buying British you support the local economy, from the farmer, to the food processor, to the retailer, opting to buy British protects these jobs.
- You’ll also be protecting the environment as British produce has less of a carbon footprint compared to imported products which often travel by air.
- Eating seasonal produce is good for you! In season fruit and veg is packed with the vitamins you need for the time of the year they’re in season.
- When it comes to British meat you can rest assured that it is produced to some of the highest welfare standards in the world.
There’s never been a better time to make that change to picking British when it comes to your weekly shop. We hope we’ve convinced you of the benefits of making the switch but if you want to know more make sure you get involved in what’s going on in your area this British Food Fortnight.
If we’ve inspired you to make some changes in your kitchen we can help you take the next step with bespoke home cooking lessons with one of our Michelin star chefs. You can learn whatever you’d like at a lesson, whether it’s preparing British meats or veg just let us know and we’ll create the perfect lesson plan for you.
We also offer dinner parties at which our chefs only use the best of local British produce so why not organise one to sample why British is best?
To organise your cooking lesson or dinner party simply contact us today.
