Food From Britain has launched a new tool to allow chefs easy access to local food suppliers. The find-my-nearest online feature allows caterers to pinpoint regional producers by a postcode search on the www.regionalfoodanddrink.co.uk site.
Chefs can search through 3,100 companies to find their nearest supplier of foods such as Stilton cheese, Cornish clotted cream and salmon. The gadget will lead to a greater use of fine regional fare and closer ties between caterers and food producers, according to Food From Britain.
St Austell's boozy recipe book
Cornish brewer St Austell is encouraging its chefs to hit the bottle, with the launch of a "boozy recipe book". St Austell's ales, stouts and spirits have been used to create dishes such as beef steak and Tribute ale pie, slow-roasted duck with fino sherry jus and plantation rum banana and coconut ice cream. Jeremy Mitchell of St Austell said: "The aim is to give pub owners ideas which are amusing, interesting, taste good and help promote their other products."
New menu for Waterfront pub
Jennings has refurbished the Waterfront pub in Whitehaven, Cumbria, in a bid to create a premium harbourside gastro pub. The Lake District brewer and pub operator has introduced a new menu promoting local produce, revamped kitchen facilities and dining area. The company has recruited Craig Kirby, formerly of the Sun Inn in Bassenthwaite, near Keswick, Cumbria, and partner Charlotte Dodds to run the pub.
Fat Duck's world's top eatery
The Fat Duck in Bray is the world's top eatery, according to a poll of 600 international chefs and food critics. Heston Blumenthal's Berkshire restaurant was one of four UK-based entries in the top 10, in an award organised by Restaurant magazine. Blumenthal, who also runs a pub, the Hinds Head in Bray, said: "It is fantastic for Britain, though this is all down to the Roux brothers, who first put Britain on the culinary map."
New outlet for Shoreditch
The Princess, which will feature a ground-floor pub and first-floor dining room, will launch in London's Shoreditch this May. Owners Zim Sutton and Andrew Veevers, who also run the Easton pub in Clerkenwell, aim to create a traditional pub ambience with a bold contemporary style. Decor will include 1920s style wallpaper, walnut furniture and original timber floorboards. The menu will feature Australian influences with sample dishes such as pan-fried smoked paprika squid with a lime and verjuice dipping sauce.