23 February 2009
Jersey and the restaurant Fifteen London are to form a month-long partnership in May 2009. The high-profile London restaurant will be dishing up the Island’s fantastic fresh seasonal produce as part of its menu.
For the whole of May, the menu at Fifteen restaurant will serve Jersey-sourced crab, Jersey Royal potatoes, bass, pollack, scallops, cream, crème fraiche, asparagus and salads. Diners will not only experience the dishes, but front of house staff will tell them about the origin of the Jersey-grown ingredients, giving customers an idea of the care and attention that goes into Island produce.
Wendy Richmond, Fifteen’s Communications Manager, said: “We serve food of the highest quality made from the best ingredients, and Jersey has fantastic ingredients. Our front of house staff will learn about the Island, so that they are able to tell diners not only about the dishes but also about the provenance and quality of Jersey produce. Jersey Royals have been a long-standing signature ingredient on our menus in May but this wider promotion will be a great showcase for even more Jersey produce and we hope an opportunity to start a long-term relationship with more suppliers.”
The Fifteen menu is just one of the initiatives to promote Jersey and its fresh produce in London during May, with fresh, seasonal crops, dairy produce and seafood also being promoted at the Real Food Festival and at Chelsea Flower Show.
The Real Food Festival at Earls Court, which showcases top-quality produce and attracts thousands of foodies and food business representatives, will feature a Jersey section for the second year. Later in May, the Jersey Farmers Union will represent the Island at the Chelsea Flower Show, which is expected to attract 160,000 visitors.
Wayne Gallichan, Head of International Trade for Jersey Enterprise, said: “The three events are being organised by different groups, but we are helping them coordinate elements of the marketing in order to maximise the value from each, both for Jersey and for our producers; we recognise that all three focus on the kind of high-quality produce that Jersey can export, and will be of interest to the same audience.
“The only reason that we are in Fifteen is that their Purchasing Manager, Tony Welch, came to the Real Food Festival last year and was so impressed by the Jersey producers that he asked to develop business links.
“Fifteen is a restaurant with a very high profile thanks to the publicity generated when it featured in the television series ‘Jamie’s Kitchen’. The restaurant’s overriding philosophy is to help disadvantaged young people develop careers in the industry by developing their skills and teaching them the importance of using excellent produce.”
As part of the coordinated approach to the three London events in May, Fifteen’s Head Chef Andrew Parkinson will be putting on a cookery demonstration at the Real Food Festival using Jersey produce.
One of the companies involved in the Real Food Festival and Fifteen is the Fresh Fish Company. Director Vicky Boarder said: “These are great opportunities to develop our export market, not only in May but in the long term. Jersey Enterprise has helped us get involved in these initiatives, and I am confident that the Island’s amazing produce will be a great success with food lovers.”
Economic Development Minister, Senator Alan Maclean, said 'This partnership will give Jersey a very welcome additional profile in London at an opportune time and to an ideal audience. It represents not only a positive boost for our food producers but also for the Island as a tourist destination'.
gov.je