TUCO have proudly supported Love British Food, and British Food Fortnight for a number of years.
Now in its 19th year British Food Fortnight has been the catalyst for small and large organisations and community groups across the nation to instil the importance of buying British to protect our farmers, food producers and countryside. This year the Fortnight is poised to take place as usual with menu promotions celebrating British food and, in particular the local food chains that have sustained the country this year.
New for this year is British Food Fortnight’s online show, open to all from Saturday 19th September with new features being added daily throughout the fortnight. Visitors can see their favourite Ambassadors cooking delicious British ingredients in the cookery theatre; meet producers and hear first-hand about the food they make; and join in the Big British Food Fortnight Debate that will feature leaders responsible for food in our schools, hospitals, care homes and communities. Panel discussions will take place throughout the fortnight discussing key issues such as sustainability; why buy British; and nutritional benefits of different foods. There will also be trade stands for visitors to visit and enjoy the special promotions on offer.
The team of Love British Food Ambassadors are leading this year’s British Food Fortnight national competition encouraging us all to show our love for British food. The competition is open to everyone who has been involved in an uplifting gesture or activity that has British food at its heart. Simply share your story and why you are taking part, the person or group with the most inspiration take on British food and drink will be announced the winner. Closing date for the competition is 24th October and winners will be announced Friday 6th November.
While the Fortnight is an important focal point for British food producers, work behind the scenes is year-round for organisers Love British Food. Working with a number of high-profile celebrities, such as leading chef Raymond Blanc, Liz Earle, Candice Brown and Alex Hollywood and Local Authority Caterers, Hospital Caterers Association and National Association of Care Catering, the campaign for British food has a strong network of big influencers.
British Food Fortnight fits well with Freshers Week and is a key time for educating young people about healthy, quality food in the university environment. Love British Food is partnering with TUCO to invite university chefs to run British Food Fortnight menus. British food recipes and How-to Student Guides will be shared with universities.
Many will be sourcing British food already so can use British Food Fortnight to promote menus, ingredients and promotions. For those that don’t usually buy British, the fortnight is a good opportunity to source new suppliers, experiment with menus and add a number of British dishes.
- Send your suppliers a copy of the menu and ask them to if they can supply British ingredients.
- If you are catering in the public sector, consider forming a partnership with other public organisations to aggregate demand and make savings through bulk purchase.
- Don’t be put off by prices that initially may seem higher. Buying large volumes can make the whole process affordable.
- Promote your involvement in the fortnight by displaying POS material showcasing the British Food Fortnight logo on menus and around the restaurant.
- Make sure you share the menus with customers well in advance. As well as British dishes you could also include local dishes from your region.
- Run a competition to showcase the new menu. Some promotions that work include giving all diners entry to a prize draw to win a foodie treat.
- Offer tastings of specific British dishes.
- Use British Food Fortnight to see how popular dishes are or produce a special dish going forward that uses locally sourced ingredients.
- Use Love British Food website for resources on how to make the most of British Food Fortnight, including the basic details, template menus and case studies.
Mike Haslin, CEO, TUCO, says: "In these challenging times, it’s never been more important to support our local businesses and British Food Fortnight is a great opportunity to educate young people about healthy, quality produce in a university environment."
For more ideas on how to take part, details of all the activity and 14 things you can do during the fortnight visit www.lovebritishfood.co.uk
