Celebrity chef Antony Worrall Thompson has dressed up to conduct a symbolic cauliflower ‘funeral’, to highlight the plight of UK growers.
The TV chef donned a cardinal costume and gave the last rites to a ‘coffin’ of cauliflowers.
This formed part of the Save the Cauliflower campaign launched to by the Real Food Festival to highlight the plight of cauliflower growers across the UK.
The sector has been hit by bad weather last summer and poor returns, forcing some growers to abandon production altogether.
The initiative aims to raise the profile of the iconic vegetable and highlight its importance in UK food heritage.
Alistair Ewan, vice-chairman of the British Brassica Growers’ Association, said: “It’s great that the Real Food Festival is getting behind British cauliflower growers, reminding everyone what a healthy, tasty and quintessentially British vegetable the cauliflower is. At this time of year, we’re looking forward to the new season’s juicy, tender cauliflowers being harvested. The British cauliflower industry is still very much alive.
“We urge anyone who hasn’t tried one lately to go out and buy a cauli. And although cauliflower cheese is, quite rightly, one of our national culinary treasures, don’t feel you have to stop there - look out for Asian or Mediterranean cauliflower recipes or use your cauli to make a delicious soup. British cauliflower growers are working hard to grow one of our nation’s classic vegetables and are ready for the cauliflower revival.”
Richard Johnson, food journalist and broadcaster, said: “‘Growing cauliflowers is delicate work, and much of it has to be done by hand. It’s an art form. Heck, you wouldn’t know how to keep your compact curds nice and creamy white - nor would I. So let’s pay a fair price to the people who do.
“When the French farmers had had enough of the low prices they were getting for their cauliflowers, they went on the rampage, and took two police officers hostage.
“British farmers are altogether more law-abiding, but let’s not push them.”
No comments yet