DEFRA Secretary of State Owen Paterson attends closing of Food campaign
On 12 November, the grand finale of the Food is GREAT campaign, hosted by Consul General Brian Davidson, drew masses at one of Shanghai’s most iconic shopping districts – West Nanjing road.
DEFRA Secretary of State Owen Paterson attends closing of Food campaign.
In his closing remarks Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – Owen Paterson said:
I am pleased to be in Shanghai. I’m also pleased to take part in this Festival, the culmination of a week of activity to promote the excellence of UK food and drink. I’m here to bring some more great British products to Chinese buyers and help get more of British food and drink onto your supermarket shelves.
Many people flocked to this grand finale which included a day-long exhibition of the best of British food, as well as a cooking competition between two Shanghai-based British chefs.
This comes on the back of a week of steady campaigning both online and offline in East China. Some of the highlights have included an afternoon tea session, savouring wine, and various traditional British food evenings across Shanghai.
Mr Paterson is leading one of the biggest Food and Beverage delegations from the UK to the Food Hotel China on the 13th November. His visit has also seen him visit Weetabix, OLE food store which boasts a selection of Sommerdale Cheeses, as well as a GREAT reception in partnership with China Britain Business Council (CBBC) and Food & Drink Exporters Association (FDEA).
Mr Paterson’s trip to Shanghai has gained widespread media attention amongst TV, print media, and both domestically and internationally. He said:
British food is renowned across the world for quality and our smoked salmon, pork, chocolate and Scotch whisky are already popular here in China.
With Britain’s global reputation for quality and China’s increasing demand for Western-style food and drink, there is no better time to tap into the Asian market. I will be doing all I can to promote our products and make it easier for aspiring British entrepreneurs to strike new export deals with China.
British Consul-General in Shanghai Mr Brian Davidson said:
I am hugely proud of Britain’s food industry and that’s why we have ran the Food is GREAT campaign. We’ve produced exceptional British chefs and attracted incredible talent from overseas and as a result you can find outstanding cuisine throughout the UK. These days our hospitality and food industries are a key part of what attracts tourists to the UK. I hope that visitors to Shanghai can also sample some of the best of British cuisine that can be found here on our doorstep.
Passersby in what is one of Shanghai’s wealthiest neighbourhoods were able to watch a British-style cooking competition in full swing. Courses on offer included the Full English breakfast, Cod and Potato followed by a Strawberries and Cream dessert.