FOOD GLORIOUS [IOW] FOOD! : 17th November 2006

Over 2 years ago we set out to radically alter the structure of Island food, in the way in which it is produced, packaged, distributed and consumed. It has been a long and arduous journey, which has included a few attempts by individuals to scupper the concept, but we are finally seeing some success!

At the beginning of November we sent a mini-bus load of the Island's farmers and producers to London to visit Borough, Islington & Wimbledon markets, to hopefully gather a few ideas about how we can re-vamp our own market in Newport and the new Saturday market for Ryde.

To counter our farmer visits we have been running farm visits for Island chefs, which so far have been a huge success. The idea is to try and get them to buy into local food in a greater way. Comments such as 'God I didn't realise the Island produced so much!' were exactly what we were trying to achieve. Plans are afoot to run further visits during January.

The following weekend (4th Nov) we helped launch the new farmers market in Ryde, which seemed to also be a huge success, most of the stalls seemed to have nearly sold out by mid-afternoon. IoW Radio were broadcasting live for most of the morning and we even had celebrity chef Anton Edelmann (The Savoy & his own London-based restaurant Allium) on site exploring the range of Island produce on offer.

The following day Anton took over the kitchen at the chic Hambrough Hotel in Ventnor, cooking a great season Island lunch that included a main course of Sue Brownrigg's free-range Isle of Wight Goose. There was mix of local producers and national press around the table and we even made room for Marlena Spieler, the America food critic, who writes for the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Radio 4 and the BBC's Good Food Live. The whole event was excellent and provided a brilliant showcase for Island food, both from the producer end and that of the consumer.

Special thanks to Joe from the Hambrough who provided the venue and the excellent wine & Champaign, Sue Brownrigg, Ben Brown & Rich Hodgson who supplied the produce and Hayley Elston for organising the whole event.

Next month we are launching 'Taste' of the Island, a new glossy food magazine, that will be appearing quarterly and will provide a complete season guide to whats going down on the Island food & drink wise!