Season’s Eatings – How To Eat Well

Season’s Eatings – How To Eat Well Despite Supermarket Shortages

The idea of rationing food harks back to the nation’s post-war economic recovery. While there will be some who can remember those days, to millions, the idea of having limits placed on food in shops seems completely alien.

But this is the reality the nation is facing now, due to supply issues brought on by a combination of Brexit, poor weather and rising energy prices.

With this in mind, now is the time for shoppers to consider restaurants and suppliers offering seasonal fayre to circumvent those shortages and embrace a ‘Slow Food’ way of life.

Here, we take a look at the Slow Food philosophy and focus on some good examples of seasonally-sourced produce being used by chefs and suppliers – not a million miles from our cottages!

What is Slow Food?

This does not mean your food takes a long time to arrive. Quite the opposite! Slow Food is a worldwide movement with a focus on promoting locally-sourced food that is good, clean and fair.

The grassroots movement was founded by Carlo Petrini in Italy during the 1980s as a means of defending regional traditions, a slow pace of life and good food. 

From simple beginnings, Slow Food is now a global concern with millions of supporters across more than 150 countries.

Locally sourced sustainable food is at the heart of the movement, making the most of the environment around us and supporting the local economy.

The Black Swan, Oldstead and Roots, York

World-renowned chef Tommy Banks, with his Michelin-starred restaurants Roots and The Black Swan in York and Oldstead respectively, adopts the philosophy. 

Dishes are inspired by the ingredients that he grows and forages from the local fields and hedgerows, paying homage to the seasons and wherever possible using preserving techniques to allow dishes out of season.

Malton, North Yorks

Hairy Bikers David Myers and Si King recently visited Malton, known affectionately as the food capital of Yorkshire, as part of The Hairy Bikers Go North.

The popular BBC presenters experienced a number of top quality delicatessens, cafes and suppliers providing a range of fish, meat, vegetables, dairy, desserts and honey seasonally sourced from the local area around the cottages of This Is Not Here.

A ‘Remarkable’ Location

Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain took First Dates’ Fred Sirieix on a delicious road trip around Yorkshire for her Remarkable Places to Eat programme on BBC 2, once again a short distance from our cottages. 

The duo visited some of Nadiya’s choice locations around the county, including the world-famous Betty’s Tea Room, along with Wensleydale cheese, Indian street food and some of the finest locally-sourced seafood.

“Easier Said Than Done“

While we could all benefit from adopting a good, clean and fair approach to buying food, it is easier said than done.

Perhaps, considering local and seasonal might just help us all as we navigate the choppy waters of supermarket shortages and rising food costs. We may even discover that the quality, taste and shelf life is improved as well!