Get ready to fly the flag for Love British Food in 2012

Love British Food in 2012 will run from 27th July to 12th August 2012

“Britain is hosting the Olympics for the first time since 1948, and the world will be looking at what we do, and how we do it. 
Thankfully, it's coming at a really great moment for British food.  I'm happy to say we’ve never been more ready or able to impress. We've got fantastic food here in Britain and it's time we celebrated it, especially as we'll have the eyes of the world on us in 2012.”

Jamie Oliver in Jamie's Great Britain cookbook

What is Love British Food 2012?

This year, British Food Fortnight which traditionally takes place during the autumn, runs at the same time as the Olympics under the title ‘Love British Food 2012’ (27 July to 12 August 2012).  Promotions are planned in thousands of shops, pubs and restaurants; schools are being given the opportunity to compete to cook for The Queen in Buckingham Palace; and Family Feasts are being organised in disadvantaged areas of the country bringing the Olympic spirit to deprived areas as part of the London 2012 Festival.  With an exciting new logo and patriotic promotional material bearing the slogans ‘Be Patriotic!’ and ‘Support the home team!’ the stage is set for a huge showcase of British food when the eyes of the world are upon us.

What's happening?

Love British Food 2012 promotions

Some of the biggest retail and catering organisations are uniting behind Love British Food 2012 and, with more large organisations joining every week, the strongest line-up in the event’s 11 year history is set to paint menus and shop-shelves red, white and blue.

Led by the contract caterer Aramark, the event’s flagship sponsor, 3663, Brakes, Compass Group, Harrison Catering and Sodexo are all taking part in the food service sector.

In the pub sector Enterprise Inns, Fullers and Whiting and Hammond lead the way. The Garden Centre Group is planning special menus in 91 cafes and restaurants across its stores. Hallmark Care Homes is planning activity in all its care homes for the elderly. and SPAR (UK) is planning tremendous promotions in all 2,600 of its stores.

Hospitals are also expected to join in the patriotic food celebrations as the event is already high on the agenda of the Hospital Caterers Association.

“Everyone in the land will be watching the opening ceremony. And what will link all these people, apart, of course from a love of sport? It will be the celebration of British food and drink through British Food Fortnight that will be delivered by thousands of retailers, landlords, hoteliers and caterers.”
Jan Matthews, Head of Catering, LOCOG

London 2012 Festival Family Feasts

Love British Food 2012 is working with the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) to organise Family Feasts in Sure Start Children's Centres in disadvantaged areas of the country as part of the London 2012 Festival.  The aim is to give some of Britain's poorest families and communities the opportunity to come together to celebrate all the excitement of the Olympics. Every centre taking part is being given hands-on support from a local chef who will work with centre managers and families to prepare a magnificent Family Feast for everyone using the centre and the wider community.  The organisers hope to help each centre with ingredients and Quality British Turkey has already signed-up to offering free boxes of turkey cuts to the first 25 Feasts taking part.

And you don't have to be a Sure Start Children's Centre to take part!  Food and sport go hand in hand and what better way is there of enjoying all the excitement of the Olympics than by having a delicious, patriotic Family Feast with your family and friends. Hallmark Care Homes are doing just this with Family Feasts planned for the elderly and their families in all 17 of their homes. For details about what is happening and how you can get involved go to www.lovebritishfood.co.uk/family-feasts.

“We are delighted to be working with British Food Fortnight.  Food is as much a part of our culture as art, theatre and music and 2012 offers a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Britain's food heritage.  Food and sport go hand in hand so what better way for people to enter into the spirit of the Games than by enjoying Britain's wonderfully diverse and delicious food with their friends, families and communities.”
Ruth Mackenzie, Director of the London 2012 Festival

Cook for The Queen

to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee, Love British Food 2012 is inviting all schools in the UK to create a special menu for The Queen featuring recipes that showcase the best of British. The top four winning schools will be invited to Buckingham Palace in June to see their menus prepared by the famous Royal Chef and help serve their winning dishes at a special Diamond Jubilee reception attended by The Queen and The Duchess of Cornwall.

‘Cook for the Queen’ is open to 10 to 15 year olds in all primary and secondary schools in the UK.  Entries close Monday 30th April and the winners will be announced mid-May.  To enter, go to the special ‘Cook for The Queen’ section on www.lovebritishfood.co.uk.

“‘Cook for The Queen’ at Buckingham Palace is my special tribute to Her Majesty The Queen for the Diamond Jubilee and I am looking forward enormously to seeing the menu ideas and recipes that schools create for what will be a very special occasion.”
HRH The Duchess of Cornwall in the Foreword to ‘Putting the Ooo back into food – A Guide to Including Cookery within the National Curriculum’

Promotional material available to help people take part

Love British Food 2012 promotional packs will be available from May 2012. Packs include a range of promotional and point-of-sale material to help people take part in the patriotic celebrations:

• red, white and blue balloons with Love British Food 2012!
• 3 x A3 Love British Food 2012 posters
• DIY cut out and create-your-own bunting (enough to make 12 feet of bunting with 1 flag per foot) featuring the following messages: Love British Food 2012 - Be patriotic! and Love British Food - Support the home team!
• patriotic shelf barkers
• all enclosed in an A4 folder with details about Love British Food 2012 and ideas and hot tips for taking part.

Demand is high so people are asked to make sure they reserve their packs today on www.lovebritishfood.co.uk. Packs cost £10 and orders must be placed by 11th May so that they can be sent out in time for the Diamond Jubilee weekend.

Alexia Robinson, organiser of the event, says: “2012 is likely to be the most patriotic year of our lifetimes. Food is a central part of all celebration and with the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee we have the opportunity of a lifetime to show-off the best of British food to the world. Even in tough economic times the public will rally behind British food if they are given a reason to. So come on Britain, get ready to fly the Union Jack for Britain on your plates as well as on your bunting!”

Who is behind Love British Food 2012?

Love British Food 2012 is sponsored by the catering company Aramark and is supported by a large family of over 70 organisations led by 3663, Brakes, Compass Group, Enterprise Inns, Fullers, The Garden Centre Group, Hallmark Care Homes, Harrison Catering, Quality British Turkey, Sodexo, Speciality Breads, SPAR (UK) and Whiting and Hammond.

How to find out more

To find out how you can take part, order promotional material, sign up for monthly updates on the latest British food news and for details of what is happening near you see www.lovebritishfood.co.uk or Email: info@lovebritishfood.co.uk.

For further press information and jpegs of the official Love British Food 2012 logo and promotional material, please contact Alexia or Daniell, tel: 020 7840 9292; email: info@lovebritishfood.co.uk