25 London chefs give support to Slow Food UK

Twenty-five London chefs, including Richard Corrigan, Michel Roux Jr and Francesco Mazzei, have come out in support of Slow Food UK by attending the launch of its Chef Alliance in London.

The chefs, who will agree to share the movement's vision that 'all food should taste great, be environmentally sustainable and that producers should be paid a fair wage' if they sign up, met yesterday at Corrigan's eponymous Mayfair restaurant.

Corrigan, who is Slow Food UK Chef Alliance's spokesperson, said: “Slow Food UK Chef Alliance is bringing together the UK’s top chefs who are actively championing great ideas to benefit the agri and culture of these islands.”

Slow Food UK chief executive Catherine Gazzoli said she was pleased the alliance already had such strong support from the industry at its launch.

"Many of the chefs are already actively trying to use sustainably sourced, great tasting local produce; the alliance will simply allow them to shout about it," she said.

Slow Food is a global movement that links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment and aims to counter the rise of fast food and fast life. Since it was founded in Italy in 1989 it has grown its presence in 150 countries.

The Chef Alliance, being launched in partnership with Highland Park whisky, will be launched regionally over the next few months. All restaurants are welcome to join, but chefs must be members of their local Slow Food group and must pledge to use produce listed by Ark of Taste, when appropriate, on their menus.