Best of Britain & Ireland ‘09 exhibition is to be held on 26-29 March 2009 at London’s ExCeL which celebrates the best of Britain and Ireland, and is looking for the best of British and Irish cooking through an online competition.

They are inviting amateur and professional chefs to celebrate and show off their favourite British or Irish meals. The best video recipes will then be showcased to over 20,000 visitors to the ExCeL centre on the 28th and 29th March and on The Best of Britain & Ireland website: www.britainandirelandevent.co.uk

You might just have seen details of this last week; but here is the full press release detailing the allotment idea…

One thousand new allotment plots will be created on National Trust land in the next three years to give local communities the space to grow their own fruit and vegetables.

The initiative comes as demand for growing spaces is at an all time high – with more than 100,000 people currently on allotment waiting lists – as people look to spend more time with friends or family, exercising in the outdoor ‘gym’ and enjoying the fresh food they can produce.

Each of the new growing spaces will be created on communities’ doorsteps throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and will be registered through the Landshare website www.landshare.net set up by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, an online ‘match-making’ database of keen growers and those who have land available.

Fiona Reynolds, Director General of the National Trust, said: “There’s something in the air. More and more people want to grow their own fruit and vegetables. This isn’t just about saving money – it’s really satisfying to sow seeds and harvest the fruit and veg of your labour. By creating new growing spaces the National Trust can help people to start growing for the first time.”

“We’re also looking to recruit many more volunteers with fruit and vegetable growing skills and knowledge to join us, so that we can offer even more practical help and advice to new gardeners.”

Equal to the number of allotments plots already found in York, the new National Trust growing spaces will be available at around 40 different locations. They will vary in size, from smaller plots suited to new growers taking their first steps, to larger areas suitable for community growing schemes.

It has been estimated that these new growing spaces could produce up to around 2.6 million lettuces per year, 50,000 sacks of potatoes or, alternatively, mixed produce worth up to an estimated £ 1.5 million.
The new National Trust growing spaces will be in restored kitchen gardens, agricultural land or on vacant land near to Trust properties. The plan poses no risk to the Trust’s conservation objectives.

Fiona Reynolds continued: “We already have allotments and active kitchen gardens at 50 of our properties and many of these already provide spaces for communities to come together and grow their own fruit and veg [see case studies below]. But there’s a huge demand for us to do more. We’ve taken the first steps to increase the amount of growing spaces available, and we are working with Landshare to encourage other landowners to do the same.”

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall said: “I’m completely thrilled with this fantastic pledge from the National Trust to offer 1,000 growing spaces to Landshare. This pledge alone has the potential to make a difference to many thousands of people – not just those who grow, but those with whom they share their wonderful produce. These kinds of initiatives offer immeasurable benefits to communities across a whole host of areas – from good health, to helping minimise our impact on the environment, to simply bringing people together. The Landshare website will be launched later in Spring and we have over 25,000 people already registered. Those registrations are right across the UK and it will really be a fantastic opportunity for many people to have their first real chance to grow their own food.”

As part of the initiative, the National Trust is turning over the back garden of its London office in Queen Anne’s Gate to become an allotment used by staff.

Monty Don commented: “I am delighted that the National Trust is setting an inspirational example by creating an allotment at their office in the heart of London.

“If every organisation and company did the same then it would transform the health and well-being of the Nation as well as significantly contribute to our National Food supply. In this time of crisis and chaos this is exactly the kind of practical enlightened action that will rebuild and create a better future.”

Geoff Stokes, National Secretary for the National Society of Allotment & Leisure Gardeners, said: “The demand for allotment sites is huge and it is great that the National Trust is able to use some of its land to help people grow their own.

“The growth in demand has been happening over the last few years, and though the credit crunch is helping to stir interest, the main reason more people want to grow their own is to improve their quality of life.”

Many of the new National Trust growing spaces can be created immediately, for example at Gibside (Gateshead), Minnowburn (Belfast) and Wembury in South Devon, but some will need work that means they will take longer to create.

The Trust is aiming to have all of its new growing spaces available by 2012 at the latest and will seek to encourage schools, community groups and charities to make use of the new sites, as well as individuals.
Fiona Reynolds added: “Our main aim is to help those who are new to growing to find the space they need but we also want to help them learn how and what to grow. National Trust gardeners and our excellent garden volunteers will be able to pass on their skills and knowledge. But we are also calling for new volunteers – especially experienced fruit and vegetable gardeners – to join us to provide extra help and advice where it is needed.”

If you’re interested in getting involved please visit www.landshare.net.

All things Italian will be on display at La Dolce Vita Italian Festival, taking place at Olympia. Check out the best in Italian food, fashion, travel and culture, plus loads of Italian-related events.

Italian culture in London
Olympia will be transformed the ultimate Italian experience in London with hundreds of exhibitions devoted to food, fashion, property, travel and more. Visitors can experience all aspects of Italian culture in one event, promising something to satisfy all curiosities.

A taste of Italy
Nothing says Italy more than good food and good wine, and both feature heavily at La Dolce Vita. A selection of cooking workshops and demonstrations will be held throughout the event, whilst 40 of Italy’s leading wine producers will be on hand to share secrets at a mini wine festival. The Piazza is the location where you can try food from the likes of Signor Zilli, Latium, and Theo Randall, have a drink at the Bar Italia, or learn how to master the art of pasta at the Italian cookery school.

Italian style at La Dolce Vita
The latest in Italian style and design will feature at the festival, ranging fashion, accessories, furniture, sports cars and more. Check out the latest in Italian fashion from Lacloche, Antonella Manoli, GIPE and Ralph & Russo on the catwalk, before heading to the Corso Como to bag some wonderful leather, cashmere, silk or knitwear items.

Travel Italy
Visitors can explore different Italian regions at the show, meeting local communities, sampling regional cuisine and enjoying traditional entertainment. Travel companies and tour operators will also be at Olympia, on hand with advice on travelling Italy whilst Estate agents will be available with advice on buying a home in Italy.

La Dolce Vita Italian Festival takes place in the Grand Hall at Olympia from Thursday 26th March – Sunday 29th March 2009. Opening hours are 11am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sunday.

Raymond Blanc is back and in this time of recession and gloom has an exciting opportunity for all aspiring restaurateurs! The series had huge success last year on BBC TWO. Featuring Raymond Blanc and nine couples who battled it out over eight weeks, the show is coming back for a third series.

Raymond Blanc will once again be giving couples the opportunity to try their luck as restaurateurs and seeing if they can rise to the challenges he throws at them. The stakes are high as the successful couple will go into business with Raymond and, as last years winners Michele and Russell are finding out, this is an opportunity money simply can’t buy.

“We want to hear from any couples who think they too could run a restaurant. Married, friends, siblings, relatives, partners, colleagues – anyone over the age of 18 can apply. Experience of a restaurant or catering environment isn’t necessary but whether you’re a chef or a cleaner, a waiter or writer, Raymond wants to hear from people who are passionate about food and the dining experience.”

If you are a talented cook or host this is your chance. You could be a married couple, in a relationship, relatives, friends or colleagues as long as you share a dream of running your own restaurant request an application form email: therestaurant@bbc.co.uk Application closing date: 31st March 2009.

Makeup artist, Jemma Kidd, is teaming up with Chelsea restaurant Papillon for London Fashion Week and has created a menu of favourite dishes to raise money for Children with Leukaemia.

In recognition of London Fashion Week’s 25th Anniversary celebrations, the Jemma Kidd menu is priced at £25, with £5 from every menu sold going to charity. Everyone who orders the menu will be given a Jemma Kidd Make Up School goodie bag including lip gloss and ultra soft cleansing wipes, with a value of over £30 to thank them for their support.

Kidd said: “I’ve been in the industry for many years both in front of and behind the cameras. There’s still a myth that all models live on salad leaves – I love my food and have been coming to Papillon for years. I wanted to do something to support such a worthy cause and we came up with a menu of my favourite dishes.”

“These are my dinner party staples that I rely on time and again. The secret of my rack of lamb is a drop or two of Worcestershire sauce in the gravy to give it a real depth of flavour – it’s a simple cheat, but it works.”

David Duverger, head chef, Papillon, agreed: “The charity is dear to my heart having lost my young nephew to cancer seven years ago. At Christmas I sold myself on eBay for Christmas day and raised £6,000 for Children with Leukaemia. I wanted to find another way to continue the fundraising and Jemma came up with some fantastic dishes for a special menu. We get a lot of visitors from London Fashion Week as it is just down the road from us – I think they’ll be curious to see Jemma turn her hand to another craft.”

The menu will be available at Papillon throughout London Fashion Week (20 – 25 February 2009)