Following the tense and occasionally grueling anticipation of the Tastiest Tomato Competition, food fans across the nation are once again on tenterhooks after the announcements that the search is on for the country’s best potato dish.
The Great Potato Challenge 2008, launched by the British Potato Council, aims to put potatoes ‘firmly in the spotlight’ with Britain’s chefs.
The competition was initially launched after research showed that consumers wanted to be able to order more imaginative potato dishes when eating out, and is searching for award-winning tuber-based meals in two categories: pub/restaurant chefs, and student chefs.
Whilst professionals will be challenged to cook up a main course, students will be asked to create a potato-based started or ‘light-bite’ dish.
Winners will be crowned Great Potato Challenge Champion, as well as snapping up a £1,000 holiday.
The BPC says the competition will demonstrate potatoes’ healthy and nutritious values, versatility across different cooking methods, and excellent potential to generate profits. According to the council, they also play a ‘major’ part in meeting customer requirements for food provenance.
BPC marketing executive Heike Boelk said: “Potatoes are a great British staple but as our own research has shown, they have been under-represented on the pub and restaurant menus. This is a missed opportunity when you consider that they are both tempting to customers and profitable to caterers.
“Foodservice is a growing sector with massive potential. The Great Potato Challenge is a great way to promote potatoes to this sector and by targeting student chefs, we also hope to build demand for the future.”
The BPC is urging growers to get involved by requesting and passing on entry forms to their catering customers or by encouraging chefs from local pubs, restaurants, and nearby colleges to get in touch and request and entry form themselves.
No comments yet