British Food Fortnight wins French chef support

Supporting this year’s promotional fortnight will be TV chef Raymond Blanc, TV gardener Chris Collins and the Duchess of Cornwall.

Blanc will be bringing “Gaelic passion to Britain’s national food celebration”,​ according to the organisers.

The French anglophile chef will we teaming up with Collins to lead the campaign to persuade Brits to discover the pleasures of British food and to persuade them to seek it out when shopping and eating out.

“Opportunity for producers, processors, retailers”​

“British Food Fortnight is the opportunity for producers, processors, retailers, caterers and consumers to join together in connecting more people with what they eat and drink, and increasing the opportunity at every level to choose healthy, seasonal, local produce,”​ said Blanc.

The event was about reconnecting with growing food, enjoying food, respecting food and celebrating food – not just for two weeks but all year round, he added.

Further high-profile backing came from environment secretary Elizabeth Truss. “Food and drink is at the heart of British life – the seafood from our beautiful coast, cheese from lush pastures and innovative gin building on centuries of London heritage,” ​said Truss.

‘Conbributes over £100bn’​

“British Food Fortnight is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the diversity, quality and tradition of our great food and drink across the country. The huge enthusiasm for our astonishing variety of produce is helping grow our food and farming industry, which already contributes over £100bn a year to the economy.”​

British Food Fortnight was founded in 2002 in response to the foot-and-mouth crisis in order to encourage the public to support British farmers and food producers. Hundreds of shops, pubs, and restaurants take part every year with special menus and promotions.

Organised by Love British Food, the small independent organisation aims to that educate consumers, retailers and caterers about the benefits of buying British.

The fortnight is backed by hundreds of shops, pubs, and restaurants – with special menus and promotions – and has become an established date on the school calendar, with many schools using it as an opportunity to teach children about food.

British Food Fortnight is sponsored by the National Farmers Union, British Corner Shop, Centreplate, Harrison Catering Serviced, Hallmark Care Homes, Cucina Restaurants and Whiting and Hammond.