Britain - A food and drink revolution
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Food and drink is regarded by many international destinations as a key feature of the travel experience and one that enhances the quality of the visitor’s stay. Strong food cultures are now actively using food and drink to attract more visitors. The food and drink offer is just as distinct, interesting and diverse in England, Scotland and Wales.
Britain has also witnessed a gastronomic revolution in recent times due to its growing reputation as a culinary destination. Last year, visitors to Britain spent $4 billion savoring the regional food and drink in England, Scotland and Wales.
Regional food and drink
The regions of Britain have a vast array of tasty specialties that are more popular than ever. Traditional practices are being revived and improved, so many of the traditional foods and drink are still made, but they’re better than ever and act as a magnet for many food tourists traveling around Britain. The culinary tour starts with Craster Kippers in Northumbria, Cumberland Sausages in the Lake District, and Pontefract Liquorice and Wenseleydale Cheese in Yorkshire. In the Heart of England, food lovers can sample the popular Staffordshire Oatcake, cider and perry, Balti from Birmingham and Herefordshire apple juice. By venturing to the east of England food enthusiasts will enjoy such food ‘classics’ as Bakewell Pudding, Stilton Cheese and delicious Melton Mowbray Pork Pies, as well as Essex Oysters. In south-east England, Romney Marsh Lamb, Kentish strawberries and real ale from the Faversham brewery of Shepherd Neame are popular. In south-west England there’s nothing quite like a Cornish Pasty at lunchtime. Travelers will also find this fashionable and popular region is home to other food and drink delights including Plymouth Gin, Cornish Yarg, clotted cream and Camel Valley wine.
In Wales, food enthusiasts will discover prized seaweed, Llangloffan cheeses, Welsh black beef and friendly farm shops which overflow with local fare including delectable chocolates, honeys, mustards, chutney and even Welsh Whisky! In Scotland, travelers will encounter regional delicacies such as Arbroath smokies, Aberdeen Angus beef and whisky from the West Highlands, tasting dry with a touch of peat and a hint of salt. And finally, cheeses including delights such as Dunlop and Crowdie and award winning Strathdon Blue. As far as Britain’s regional food and drink is concerned, it seems we’ve never had it so good.
Food and drink events
Wherever visitors travel in England, Scotland and Wales, they will be able to find a wide range of food and drink events throughout the country. These include popular local farmers’ markets located in Edinburgh, Orton in Cumbria, Bath and Winchester in the south of England. They number some 450 farmers’ markets today, and you can often find them taking place on Fridays and Saturdays. In London don’t miss out on a visit to the unique Borough Market located near to Southwark Cathedral. It’s a favorite haunt of chef and restauranteur Jamie Oliver.
Other notable food festivals taking place each year include the world renowned Ludlow Marches Festival in Shropshire, The Abergavenny Food and Drink Festival in Wales, Pontefract Liqourice Festival in Yorkshire, Great British Cheese Festival at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, English Wine Week staging wine events and tastings throughout England and Scotland’s Skye and Lochalsh Food and Drink Festival.
Gastropubs
The gastropub phenomenon has been one of the biggest things to happen to British food and drink during the last ten years. The very first gastropub, called The Eagle (Farringdon Road, London), was an instant hit and marked a new trend in good food using fresh ingredients. Today, the British gastropub has turned into another opportunity to savor a high-quality dining out experience in very informal surroundings.
Outside London the gastropub story gets even better with The Drewe Arms in Broadhembury, Devon. The pub is owned by Kerstin Burge and the menu focuses on fish. Kerstin’s husband Nigel makes the puddings - English dishes such as Bread Pudding, and their son Andrew creates everything else in their cozy kitchen. Visitors should not miss out on The Punch Bowl Inn at Crosthwaite, Cumbria as well, which is noted for its beautiful shank of lamb.
In Wales, The Foxhunter at Nant-y-Derry is well known for its good cooking. Matt Tebbutt makes a great rissotto comparable to some of the best in Italy. If the trip takes visitors to Scotland then there are a number of outstanding gastropubs. The Applecross Inn is located at the end of a quiet beach in the small village of Applecross. Another classic gastropub is the Crinan Hotel located in beautiful Argyll. This stylish establishment uses the best in local ingredients including Loch Etive Mussels, Aberdeen Angus rib-eye and home made fries and bread. Finally, The Habour Inn, Bowmore, Islay; Scott Chance has been the resident chef owner for almost 10 years and visitors can see that he has embraced Scottish fare full on with his mixed oysters gratineed with leek and cream and baked crab with a souffle topping. If visitors are a fan of game then they will not be disappointed.
Wines and whisky
There are more than 400 vineyards and wineries in England and Wales today with about 100 vineyards open to the public offering visitors the opportunity for a day out, good food and even the option of a short break (Three Choirs, Gloucestershire). Leading vineyards include Denbies Wine Estate in Surrey, Three Choirs, English Wines in Tenterden, Kent, Camel Valley in Cornwall and Llanerch Vineyard in Wales. Today, some of our best wines are sparkling wines, all produced by the traditional, champagne method – look out for wines from award winning Ridgeview, Nyetimber and Chapeldown.
In Scotland, food lovers must take a trip to one of the many world-renowned whisky distilleries. The traditions of distilling and maturing Scottish Whisky have evolved through the centuries. Today, Scotch Malt Whisky is produced in distilleries located in some of the most picturesque countryside. The Malt Whisky Trail takes in seven distilleries in Speyside, located in the Aberdeen and Grampian region. Beyond Speyside you also come across whisky distilling in Campbeltown, Islay and in the Islands of Mull, Skye, Arran, Jura and Orkney.
More recently, Wales has seen the return of whisky distillation after an absence of 100 years. Penderyn, a single Malt whisky was launched earlier this year.
Article by Adrian Bevan
Picture from: http://www.freefoto.com
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