Restaurant calls on diners to bring home-grown produce to get a free meal

The Restaurant at St Paul’s Cathedral is calling on diners to bring in their home-grown produce in exchange for a free meal.

The restaurant, which is operated by contract caterer Harbour & Jones, is launching the one-day “Harvest Swap Shop” to celebrate this year’s British Food Fortnight.

On Sunday 27 September between noon and 3pm, diners will be able to claim a complimentary Sunday roast in exchange for a shoebox filled with their own fruit and vegetables.

The produce given will then be used in the Restaurant at St Paul’s kitchen in dishes highlighted on the following week’s menu alongside special thanks to the grower.

Head chef Candice Webber told Caterersearch the inspiration for the project came from her running past allotments near her home.

“There are allotments near my house and I often go for a run past them and find inspiration for my menus from what’s growing,” she said.

“We’re really trying to encourage people to grow their own vegetables and get the message out there that you don’t need a big piece of land to do so.”

The eighth British Food Fortnight runs from 19 September to 4 October.

It celebrates the diverse and delicious range of food that Britain produces, with promotions and tastings in shops, all- British menus in pubs and restaurants, food and cookery lessons in schools and a range of food festivals.

Menuwatch The Restaurant at St Paul’s >>

Harbour & Jones wins £5m St Paul’s Cathedral deal >>

Seasonal produce: What it means to chefs and restaurateurs >>

By Kerstin Kühn

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