After the coldest August for 21 years the prospect of winter being already on its way could be a cause for depression.
But wait… first we get a few months of autumn, the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, a wonderful time of year for food lovers and anyone willing to investigate local, seasonal produce.
It’s all here in autumn – berries in the hedgerows, apples and pears, field crops ready to harvest, game birds like grouse and pheasant become available, and fresh venison comes into season. Even crabs are good this time of year, and if you look hard enough native English truffles can be found.
British Food Fortnight takes place this year from 20 September until 6 October 2014, and aims to celebrate the local foods which are at their best at harvest time.
Around the country the event raises awareness of the UK’s wonderful produce; National Trust chefs have competed to design the ultimate children's British food menu, the Youth Hostel Association has launched new local produce meals in its hostels, and 35,000 schools get stuck into food and cookery activities which embed the notion that excellent, local and seasonal foods should be part of their day to day lives.
Locally you can indulge any sudden urge you have for some quality local cooking at The Alexandra in Farnborough. Their menu mixes local top-quality ingredients and British traditional dishes with those of the chef’s home country of Italy – another country where local and seasonal produce is revered and celebrated.
The daily Chef’s Pie sounds very tempting for a cold autumn day, washed down with a suitably-seasonal glass of cider perhaps.
Please drink - and eat - responsibly!
