British Food Fortnight kicking off today!!

With an aim to show the world that the UK actually does do great food, British Food Fortnight begins today.

Last year there was a French biscuit advert that goes by the tagline “C’est Anglais mais c’est bon”/“It’s English but it’s good”. And they’re not the only ones, there’s still many nationalities across the globe who continue to smirk at the talk of English cuisine. Even with all the top chefs pouring out of our country and our growing passion for cooking and refined pallets, we’ve still not managed to scrub out our name for being rather terrible at cooking. This is where British Food Fortnight comes in, timing itself with the launch of the Olympics today, the campaign aims to show the world what we actually can do in the kitchen…

London event highlights running from 27 July – 12 Aug include:

The Restaurant at St Paul’s Cathedral

The Restaurant at St Paul’s and St Paul’s Cathedral have joined forces to provide a special series of evenings celebrating great British food. There’ll be British tapas plates of quail’s eggs with citrus salts, ham hock terrine, or potted crab with caper and parsley jelly served in the cooling confines of the crypt.

Goddard’s Pies, Greenwich store

What is more British than a good old pie? Goddard’s will be pushing their 100% British beef  pies over the Olympic stint.

The Fox and Goose Hotel, Ealing

Also signing up to Love British Food 2012 is The Fox and Goose Hotel who have and will be offering a full-on British menu for the fortnight.

The Ship at Wandsworth

To celebrate, The Ship will be running a special three-course set tasting menu and will also have wine and beer tastings, talks, and samplings throughout the fortnight.

Cheese Cellar holds a British Cheese Championship: 27th July – 12th Aug

Cheese Cellar is a Love British Food 2012 member and is holding a British Cheese Championship for customers during the event! They are looking for the best British cheese displays over Love British Food 2012 and the best display will win a hamper of British goodies! Customers can enter into two different categories (Best British cheese board and Best British counter) by sending photos of their displays to britishcheese@cheesecellar.co.uk.

It’s War at Renaissance Pubs – the home nations fight it out for Love British Food 2012

South London Pub group, Renaissance, is honouring Love British Food 2012 with a brand new old-school bar menu. Each dish showcases the best our fair isles has to offer, pitting countries against each other, allowing you to choose which has the finest flavours, Wales, England, Scotland or Ireland? Who does it best? You decide.

The Sharing Supper Club

The Sharing Supper Club provides good honest tasty grub where portions aren’t measured! Come and taste their special Love British Food menu on 28th July at 7.30pm. Contact Jennie on supperclub@januario.co.uk

Markets and Festivals:

The Covent Garden Real Food Market: 2nd and 9th Aug

Local produce for foodies and aspiring Masterchefs. On the East Piazza 11am – 7pm.

Kingston Food Festival: 6th – 12th Aug 

There’s free entry to over 50 local producers and growers showcasing their produce. Other events include Children’s Food Week and the Kingston Food Trail.

Britain’s Biggest Beer Festival: 7th – 12th Aug

UK’s answer to Octoberfest: The Great British Beer Festival at Olympia, is Britain’s biggest beer festival, bringing together a wide range of British real ales, ciders, perries and international beers. Surely no one doubts our ability to put on a good booze event?

Plateau Restaurant’s Best of British Festival:

The Best of British Festival will run from the weekend of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee through to the Paralympic Games in September. Sample the highest quality British produce on the head chef Allan Pickett’s restaurant tasting menu; try one of the  English wines on the Nyetimber Terrace; or enjoy the diverse range of delicious cocktails from the British Classics Collection. Other events include a cocktail masterclass, to an art exhibition and charity dinner with “some of the country’s most exciting chefs”.

Made in Britain Food Market

Made in Britain is the only market in London dedicated to promoting British food products. Being launched on the 14 – 15 July the market will take place at Central Saint Giles every Saturday and Sunday until end of September 2012.

Local business boost

And this is just a handful of what’s going on during the fortnight. In addition to promoting British food, there’s also the aim to help drive a bit of Olympic related cash into the arms of local London eateries. Alexia Robinson, organiser of the event, says: “The Olympic organisers have made it nigh impossible for shops, restaurants or even schools to capitalise on the Games. Love British Food  2012 does something to address this.  It is, quite simply, the best opportunity for  businesses and community organisations to ride the wave of Olympic patriotism without incurring the wrath of the Olympic brand police.”

“Even in tough economic times the public will rally behind British food if they are given a reason to.  So come on Britain, fly the Union Jack on your plates as well as on your bunting!”