Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay says British restaurants should be fined if they serve fruit and vegetables which are not in season.

He told the BBC that fruit and vegetables should be locally-sourced and only on menus when in season.

Mr Ramsay said he had already spoken to Prime Minister Gordon Brown about outlawing out-of-season produce.

He says it would cut carbon emissions as less food would be imported and also lead to improved standards of cooking.

'Out of control'

The TV chef said it was "fundamentally important" for chefs to provide locally-sourced food.

"Fruit and veg should be seasonal," he said. "Chefs should be fined if they haven't got ingredients in season on their menu.

"I don't want to see asparagus on in the middle of December. I don't want to see strawberries from Kenya in the middle of March. I want to see it home grown."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7390959.stm

The issue of seasonality is something Tim Lang (food miles guru) has said is crucial as by default it helps "solve" some of the environmental, social, and economic issues at a more local level.

But he does also warn against a single-issue approach and is now advocating a suite of eight fundamentals which need to be considered toegether.

Didn't Jamie Oliver say something like getting supermarkets to only stock food when its in season too.

           I am all for it and always have been. It will give a return to more appreciation and respect for all the different fruits and vegetables that we enjoy. They will have more flavour and food will be more exciting. Mind you, even here in Scotland they can grow strawberries for more than seven months of the year. From outside "in the seasonal" warmer periods of June/ July, to indoor climate control buildings in the colder periods such as November, with the poly-tunnels keeping production going in the early and late season peroids. ( Climate Control will not be very "carbon footprint" friendly I suppose.).

          However, it can take a big investment in cash and business set-up to have a profitable fruit and vegetable enterprise and lenghtening the growing season can be an effective way of ensuring a decent return on investment. On the other hand, keeping fruit and vegetables "in season" could well open the opportunities to grow new species, or different varieties, that may fill in the gap periods in production.

I just stirred about the Kentish Strawberries that were purchased today seemingly a little early but was told that she'd rather see poly tunnels than a lorry park.

Isabel Davies:

Mr Ramsay said he had already spoken to Prime Minister Gordon Brown about outlawing out-of-season produce

Now if Flash Gordon takes this up I reckon his parliamentary colleagues could get him sectioned and if the other Gordon succeeds in his wish to have the food police tell his fellow chefs what they can and cannot put in their recipes he may find Ramsay a la mode in season. 

On the other hand if you've got a new series starting on Channel 4, a new book out and a new restaurant to promote, where's the harm in a little free publicity!

         I take, it that his use of the word "fined" would be partly in jest? Or taken in jest? It would be ridiculous to have such regulations and fines imposed on restaurants providing good food. The free market has to be supported as well.

Virtually all 'celebrity' chefs have picked this up and run with it at some point in their over rated careers, the fact is restaurants are looking at their profit margins, not green ethics! If kenyan green beans are available and cheaper than in season british veg, they would be tempted. Regulation isn't what's needed, just education and common sense!

Jacobus:

if you've got a new series starting on Channel 4, a new book out and a new restaurant to promote, where's the harm in a little free publicity!

Jacobus, Some might think you cynical but not I.

The same, of course, goes for Professor X or Doctor Y who publishes a report to frighten the politician into giving him more money to complete his research, which will then show that his preliminary findings were not as serious as once feared and, in any case, can be solved by an increase in tax for the public and a knighthood for himself.

I'd like to see an end to Gordon Ramsey instead. Can't stand his swearing.

A local pub was 'rescued' by Gordon Ramsey, amongst much swearing and upsetting of the locals.  It seems it's so much back on it's feet it's now up for sale.  Actually the Fish & Anchor would be my nearest pub if I was prepared to strugggle tipsily back through a mile or so of bogs, waterlogged forests and rusty barbed wire (not to mention those carnivorous Llanwenog ewes.)