Chef Chris Tanner's Statement
From Chef Chris Tanner of Tanners and The Barbican Kitchen Restaurants, Plymouth, Devon
“Keep it simple, fresh, seasonal and most importantly keep it local!! That’s been our philosophy from day one of us opening our restaurants. We live in a forever changing world, people’s perceptions of food and eating habits are constantly changing and evolving. Why would we use beef from abroad when the best is surely here in the UK? We’re fortunate here in the West Country to have a ‘larder on our doorstep’. It’s imperative to support our local farmers and producers, also sustainable fish stocks. It makes sense to buy in your appropriate region as it’s also a contribution to the economy locally, food miles and environmental issues need to be considered. Living and working in the countryside is fortunately for us a winning formula and one we have no intention of changing!!”
We have lived in counties, communites and states throughout England and New England and seek out local producers, farm shops and farmers markets wherever we are. The son of a Londoner from Blackheath and a mother from Yorkshire, Alan has lived in many parts of England, including six treasured years on the Scilly Isles where his father had a cafe, small hotel and daffodil farm, First and foremost he considers himself a Yorkshireman and we all love returning to spend time there whenever possible. Family members who have been sheep farmers for generations in the dales, provide cherished opportunities during lambing season for Heléne to help with the youngest lambs when she is able to join them. Alan's Uncle Frank was one of the most important people in her life. During his many years living in Mitford Cottages at Bolton Abbey while working in the Estate Offices, and after his retirement in homes in Bolton Abbey's hamlet of Hazlewood, he introduced her to the towns, villages and the people he had spent most of his life with. She feels as "at home" in Yorkshire as anywhere in the world and values the extraordinary life-enhancing experiences this part of the family have gifted her with.
In her cookbook, Cooking Inn Style, in cookery courses and at Beckwood Pond, Heléne always stressed the importance of sourcing local quality ingredients. The southern corner of Vermont where Beckwood Pond was located is very similar to the rural areas of Britain, with a proud but struggling rural community that needs and deserves the support of everyone, locals and visitors alike. The Brattleboro Farmers' Market, open on Saturdays and some Wednesdays from the end of May through October, was always a popular stop and many of their guests who had come to visit from nearby states returned home with cars overflowing with local produce, cheeses, meats and of course, Vermont's famous maple syrup. Many struggled aboard their flights with boxes filled with their purchases.
Generational farms have an ongoing struggle to remain on their land in England, just as they do in Vermont and other parts of America. Many write openly about this on their websites, as you will see. How envious those in Vermont would be to see the extensive farmers’ market network we have in England! Visitors to Bed and Breakfasts, Inns and Hotels featured on this site will discover information about the range of offerings in counties throughout the English countryside through our Farm and Business Listings before they even leave home. We hope that the advance information will assist them in planning and sourcing local products.Those staying in Self-Catering accommodations will be able to shop locally for their provisions. Farmers in America and Britain share very similar agricultural concerns and pressures to diversify to remain financially viable. They need and deserve the support of all of us. We hope that the international as well as the national exchange of ideas and experiences between members in all categories will be yet another way in which Countryside Connection will assist individual businesses and producers to achieve sustainability and greater financial rewards in the years ahead.