Great British Food unit unveiled

Britain’s food and drink pioneers are coming together to launch Great Food Nation, Environment Secretary, Elizabeth Truss, announced today. Top chefs Raymond Blanc and Ken Hom will join entrepreneurs including Leon’s Henry Dimbleby, Sam Bompas and Harry Parr to support a five-year Great British Food campaign. They will be championing UK produce by leading trade missions, food festivals and sharing their knowledge and ideas.

In addition, the Government intends to promote British food abroad and at home with the launch early next year of the Great British Food Unit, joining together Defra and UKTI’s work to promote exports, support inward investment and champion the excellence of British food and drink worldwide.

The unit aims to:

• Drive-up food and drink exports by helping more UK businesses to sell their top quality produce around the world.
• Treble the number of apprenticeships in the food and drink industry to bring new skills and ideas to ensure the pace of innovation continues to accelerate.
• Increase the number of Protected Food Names from 64 to 200 to celebrate the heritage and iconic traditions of British food and build on the importance consumers place on provenance.