LONDON – The Slow Food UK Chef Alliance, sponsored by Italy’s favourite coffee Lavazza and Highland Park Whisky, is delighted to welcome its 100th member, Pierre Koffmann. Pierre joins 99 other leading lights of the culinary world who have all pledged their support to actively champion and support the aims of Slow Food UK.
In particular its Forgotten Foods programme (UK Ark of Taste); a list of 68 precious UK products that are in danger of disappearing.
Founded two years ago by Slow Food CEO Catherine Gazzoli and Spokesperson of the Slow Food Chef Alliance Richard Corrigan, the Chef Alliance works to promote Forgotten Foods by encouraging chefs to serve them on their menus when they can, and to work closely with their small-scale producers to help promote good quality local and sustainably produced food.
Says Pierre Koffmann; “Growing up in Gascony has had a lasting impact on my philosophy. I have always enjoyed cooking with the freshest local produce while showing great respect towards every ingredient.
It has been fantastic to see the transformation of British food culture over the last 40 years, which is in part thanks to the efforts of many inspirational chefs in the Slow Food Chef Alliance.
Joining the Alliance as 100th member is an honour, and I am proud to work with Slow Food in this ambassadorial role and offer my experience alongside so many great chefs to positively influencing British cuisine in the future.”
Says Cat Gazzoli; “It’s been a phenomenal two years, I am absolutely over the moon with the support that we have received from so many talented and influential chefs around the country.
I want to personally say thank you to each and every chef member; our Chef Alliance partners Lavazza and Highland Park; and indeed every Slow Food UK member and supporter, who have all come together in our pledge to protect and defend edible biodiversity that is our birth right.”
Lavazza, who has proactively supported Slow Food in its endeavours to spread the message of good, clean and fair food on an international level, is also delighted to see the Chef Alliance welcome its 100th member. Claudia Galetta, Lavazza’s Trade marketing Manager, says; “Lavazza has a long history with Slow Food in Italy, and supporting the UK Chef Alliance is our great pleasure, as it focuses on supporting small producers, championing high quality produce and protecting biodiversity, which corresponds with the values Lavazza stand for.
We have always enjoyed working closely with world-class chefs such as Ferran Adrià and Antonino Cannavacciuolo, and so we are delighted to support the Slow Food UK Chef Alliance”
Says Richard Corrigan, Spokesperson of the Slow Food Chef Alliance; “Cat and I set up the Chef Alliance only two years ago I am absolutely thrilled at how many brilliant and talented chefs have joined the Slow Food cause to champion small producers and British produce in such a short amount of time.
Pierre and I have known each other for a long time and I am delighted to see him supporting the important work Slow Food UK does to promote the unique culinary diversity Britain has to offer.”
Other members of the Chef Alliance include: Francesco Mazzei (L’Anima), Pascal Aussignac (Club Gascon), Stevie Parle (Dock Kitchen), Andy McFadden (L’Autre Pied), Theo Randall (The InterContinanetal), Chris Galvin (Galvin Restaurants), Vivek Singh (Cinnamon Club), Anna Hansen (The Modern Pantry), Roger Jones (The Harrow at Little Bedwyn), Carina Contini (Centotre), Nick Gillespie (La Rock), Sat Bains (Restaurant Sat Bains) and Tom Aikens (Restaurant Tom Aikens).
