Rarely has there been more interest in the food we eat in Britain and exactly where and how it is produced. The evidence is everywhere in the huge growth and popularity of farmers’ markets and the major coverage of food-related issues across all the media with new food magazines being created all the time. Increasingly our chefs are seen as celebrities and our food producers as heroes.
Taste of Great Britain has now been established to highlight the quality and diversity of food all over the British Isles. The organisation sprang directly from the success of Essex Farmers’ Markets and Taste of Essex. Being rooted in a specific geographical area, county by county across the regions, provides opportunities for producers to have a closer relationship with their customers, bringing benefits to both. This reduces food miles, encourages us to eat what is in season and promotes freshness – along with all the accompanying environmental and health benefits.
Perhaps best of all, regional produce can often have a distinct character and a sense of place in foods that cannot be found elsewhere, due to the particular nature of the land, river or shoreline from which they have come. This makes them unique to their own area, recognised nationally – and even internationally.
A further dimension to what Britain has to offer has emerged in recent years as farmers and producers have adapted their skills to changing circumstances and consumer demands. This has given us an impressive pool of expertise, born of necessity and ingenuity as the nature of farming changes.
Taste of Great Britain aims to celebrate these differences by highlighting all that is best in every county of the British Isles.
In 2006 Taste of Essex became the inaugural event followed by Southend Food & Drink Festival and Romford Food & Drink Festival. 2007 sees the launch of a number of events to build upon the success of last year.
Click here for details of our events in 2007.