London Mayor Launches #MyLondonDish Campaign, Backed By Top Chefs, To Celebrate London’s Diverse Food #LondonIsOpen

 
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has launched a new social media campaign called #MyLondonDish to celebrate food in London, as part of his #LondonIsOpen movement.

Top chefs and food experts across the capital have pledged their support including Jamie Oliver, Jasmine and Melissa Hemsley, ‘Clerkenwell Boy’, and many more.
 
London has the highest concentration of restaurants in the UK including 65 Michelin-starred establishments, and offers more than 70 world cuisines. It is hoped that the campaign will encourage tourists to ignore outdated misconceptions about British food and instead explore the incredible variety of foods available in the capital.
 
The campaign begins in the same week as the Mayor of London made his first post from his new Instagram account, @MayorofLDN. In it he shared his favourite London dish, traditional fish and chips, saying: “London is an incredible place to eat with some of the best chefs, food markets, restaurants and cafes in the world. And of course, we do the best fish and chips. They’re #MyLondonDish (bit of a cliché, but the truth). What’s yours? Take a photo, video or live of your favourite food or your favourite place to eat and make sure to tag me and use #MyLondonDish. Show the world that #LondonIsOpen for the world’s best food!”

Social media users are being encouraged to share their chosen #MyLondonDish on Instagram or other social media platform. This could be a meal at their favourite London restaurant, or even something they’ve created using London-sourced ingredients. Those who join in the conversation will see their picture featured in a crowd-sourced gallery on a bespoke new segment of VisitLondon.com. Head to  www.visitlondon.com/mydish for more information.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “We want to unite Londoners and tourists alike through #MyLondonDish, to show that London is open to some of the finest cuisine in the world. Here in London we have thousands of incredible restaurants to eat and drink at, and a huge variety of interesting and exotic ingredients available at markets, shops and stalls throughout the capital. From traditional fish and chips to the best new fusion recipes, I urge Londoners to share their favourite dish and show the world that London is Open for food.”

Jamie Oliver said: “I’m loving the Mayor of London’s #MyLondonDish campaign to show the world that London is Open for Food. It’s a bit naughty to put one of my own restaurants in but Fifteen is a massively unique restaurant having trained so many people over the years. No credit to me, all to our head chef Robbin Holmgren and his ridiculously yummy short ribs. There is so much diversity in London when it comes to food so I’d encourage everyone to get out there and try something new.”

Andrew Cooke, Acting Chief Executive London & Partners, which runs VisitLondon.com, said: “My London Dish is a great way for international visitors to share their culinary experiences and help make sure everyone knows that London offers some of the best food in the world. With vibrant food markets and over 8,000 restaurants, offering 70 world cuisines, the city has a dish for everyone.”

Award winning Instagrammer, Clerkenwell Boy said: 'London has an amazing dining scene and each week is a new adventure, from pubs to pop-ups and markets to Michelin-starred restaurants London has something to offer everyone. I like to mix it up with the places I visit across the city, but for me the bacon and egg naan at Dishoom is #MyLondonDish as it's such a brilliant twist on the classic British bacon butty. I'm excited to be a part of The Mayor of London's #LondonIsOpen campaign and to celebrate the amazing food we have here in London.'

There's More To British Food Than Tea And Biscuits...

WRITTEN BYHANNAH STUART-LEACH
From top-notch local produce to an incredible array of global cuisines, there’s plenty in Britain to please a foodie visitor. Belgian food photographer and author, Regula Ysewijn – known on her blog as Miss Foodwise, tells us what she loves most about eating in Britain. 

Tell us about your first experience of British food?

© Regula Ysewijn

It was when we started travelling to Britain as a family, when I was 8 or 9. It was a whole new world of food. Back in Belgium we didn’t have Indian food, for example, so trying that first chicken curry with poppadums and mango chutney was a revelation in flavour.

What do you think is unique about British food?

© Regula Ysewijn

British food is fusion by nature, but still it has a clear identity. The honesty of the food is what I think defines it – Britain has outstanding produce.

Have you noticed anything that stands out about British eating and drinking habits?

© Regula Ysewijn

The need for tea, for instance – there is a constant need for tea at any given occasion! Someone always asks if you would like a ‘cuppa’, and everyone partakes in the ritual. It doesn’t matter if you’re an accountant, artist or builder – everyone stops for tea.

[For an affordable afternoon tea experience, try Lutyen’s Lounge, London.]

What’s your favourite foodie destination in Britain?

© Regula Ysewijn

I don’t want to sound obvious, but London is definitely the foodie destination because of its diversity. It’s something we don’t have in Belgium.

I also like Bakewell in the Peak District for its Bakewell pudding, and I love eating crab sandwiches on the quay in Boscastle, Cornwall.

What’s the most underrated British dish?

© Regula Ysewijn

Pies and puddings, they are both versatile and wholesome. I dived into the history of the British pudding and discovered such a rich and intriguing history that I spent 2 years writing a book about it.

The result is Pride and Pudding: The History of British Puddings, Savoury and Sweet, which will be published by Murdoch Books on 7 April 2016.

What’s your favourite meal of the day here?

© Regula Ysewijn

The iconic English breakfast. My husband and I have a favourite – in the B&B we have stayed in for many years in Rye, East Sussex. [The couple love the pretty town so much they even got married in the Town Hall.]

Yvonne, the landlady, is the master of the ‘fry up’. She uses eggs from next door’s honesty box, bacon and sausages from the local farm shop and vegetables from her garden. Often people have a final slice of toast with marmalade afterwards, a bit like a breakfast dessert. How can you not be fond of that?