BII pubs promo supports British Food Fortnight

A responsible drinking message will form a central theme to the licensed trade's contribution to British Food Fortnight this autumn.

The British Institute of Innkeeping hopes to include a range of safety-first tips as part of a pubfood initiative it will promote over the two-week promotion of British food and drink, which takes place from 23 September until 8 October.

The BII will be promoting pubs as the ideal venue to enjoy British food dishes sourced from the nation's wealth of fresh raw materials during the promotion. But it also wants to promote the sensible-drinking message and plans to warn visitors of the dangers of irresponsible alcohol consumption.

"Part of the project will be to encourage people to enjoy a drink with food, which obviously limits the effect of alcohol," explained BII communications manager Melanie Taylor.

"We are still working on the fine detail of our initiative for British Food Fortnight but another strand of the project will be to flag up pubs as a natural venue to enjoy good food sourced from local ingredients," she added.

The fortnight is also being supported by a number of major pub companies and foodservice suppliers, including Brakes, Punch Taverns and the Union Pub Company, who will be encouraging licensees to include popular British food on their menus.

The theme of this year's event is "Are you Cooking it?" and pubs are invited to use the best of Britain's in-season produce to put traditional dishes - with a modern twist - on their menus.

To help pub caterers wanting to take part in this year's promotion the organisers of British Food Fortnight have produced a guide, Britain's Regional Food & Drink - Retail & Catering Case Studies, available from early June.

To order your copy email info@britishfoodfortnight.co.uk or contact 0207 840 9292.