EMSWORTH BRITISH FOOD SHOW SUCCESS

The pretty coastal town of Emsworth fully took part in British Food Fortnight recently to celebrate its food heritage with a wonderful range of diverse food related events. There are very few small towns left on the south coast that still have a traditional high street offering two traditional family owned butchers, a fishmonger and a greengrocer, as well as a monthly market day. Add to this some of the area’s finest restaurants, some wonderful public houses and cafes, and it is easy to see why Emsworth is the perfect place for such a celebration.

The organisers were keen to ensure that the Emsworth British Food Fortnight encompassed as many areas of the community as possible. Events included two open air local-producer markets, various food and wine tastings with education and support very much part of the celebration.

Catering Departments of three local Colleges of Further Education – Highbury, South Downs and Chichester – were all offered the opportunity to ‘take over’ the Brookfield Hotel’s kitchen and restaurant to deliver a 3 course Great British menu devised and prepared by students for the public. They all rose to the challenge magnificently and the lunches clearly caught people’s imagination as all places were sold out within a week of being announced followed by rave reviews. It was a huge show of faith from the Brookfield Hotel and it proves just how important young people are to the future of the catering and food industry.

Two local-producer markets saw visitors flock to the town on two consecutive Saturdays. Hampshire Farmers’ Market showcased some of the counties fantastic produce and leading sparkling wines. The ‘A Thought for Food’ market concentrated on more local producers - who seldom get such an opportunity on this scale with this number of visitors. From local cider to hand raised pork pies with local rising stars ‘Heronshaw’ playing on the roof of the Bluebell Inn, this was a fabulous occasion for foodies from all walks of life. Specially themed lunches and dinners as well as beer, wine and even local gin tastings occurred on almost every day of the fortnight and were thoroughly enjoyed by hundreds of people.

The premiere of the lottery funded Emsworth Oyster Film, produced by Millstream Productions also underlined to many people where Emsworth had come from and its unique sense of place. The fortnight concluded with an open air interdenominational Harvest Festival in Emsworth Square, attended by townspeople.

Working with the Beacon Food Bank and having positioned three food collection points around the town over the two weeks, this was the moment when Emsworth showed its generosity and built a donated food mountain which exceeded all expectations, to help the Beacon Food Bank to fulfil its valuable work.

The Emsworth British Food Fortnight was a wonderful example of a community not just celebrating and enjoying itself through its food heritage and local producers, but also giving something back.

The Rev. Simon Sayers - Parish of Emsworth & Warblington said; “A huge THANK YOU to all of you for putting together a fortnight of excellent and varied events which captured the imagination of the community and brought us all together. This kind of initiative does so much to nurture the spirit of a town and everyone I have spoken to has greatly appreciated the events that were arranged.”

Ruth Scott of the Beacon Food Bank said; "On behalf of all the team at Beacon Food Bank, I would like to say a big thank you to the generous people of Emsworth who donated so much food to us over the Emsworth Food Fortnight. It really exceeded our expectations, filling two small vans and four cars! Be assured it will be put to good use; so also, on behalf of those who will benefit from it, our heartfelt thanks."

For more details about Emsworth British Food Fortnight, go to: www.emsworth.org.uk or www.lovebritishfood.co.uk

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