The basis of all Review Consultancy’s projects is always to offer our Clients unbiased, professional advice and support, based on many individual associates years and various disciplines within the catering industry to ensure our work always meets and hopefully exceeds the pre-agreed project objectives and our Clients’ expectations.

There is however, one element of our work, in every sector and project that is common; our desire for our Clients’ catering service to serve the very best, within their sector, to their customers.

Being passionate about quality food and as most associates come from a trained chef background, you will understand that “serving the very best” means to us, starting with fresh quality ingredients. Today, we are all concerned with our health and the health of our customers. In every sector, we talk about food provenance, nutritional balance, food miles, organic, fair trade, sustainability and local. All this talk can confuse us into thinking it’s just too hard to satisfy every customers’ requirements.

One area of food purchase all Review associates agree with is “seasonal”. Whilst likely not to completely satisfying every customers’ requirement, using predominately seasonal produce does meet most customers’ needs. Seasonal foods are usually fresh and freshly delivered by local suppliers. They are usually produced by traditional methods. In the correct balance, they meet most peoples’ nutritional needs not having lost some of their value through processing, storage and travel. They provide the caterer with forced menu changes and therefore food variety and nutrient balance, customer interest and marketing opportunities. Invariably, seasonal foods are cheaper, not having to be processed, stored for long periods and transported over long distances. Seasonal foods introduce the desire to cook and the opportunity to taste traditional and most often favourites that we grew up on.

Recently, I came across a web site that unusually made me stay and read. It is simple and straight forward and had a message and common sense advice that we not only agree with but wish to advise our Clients of. The site is www.eatseasonably.co.uk Please have a look and let us know what you think.

Last year, with my 14 year old son, I converted half my front garden to raised beds to grow seasonal vegetables. Having come from the Fens in East Anglia, whilst not wishing to follow my farming family, I wanted to grow some seasonal fresh food for my family to eat. Potatoes, carrots, leeks, the very odd squash and too many courgettes to cope with, we are now planning this year’s produce. Even my teenage children comment on the amazing taste!

Steven Watts

stevenwatts@reviewconsultancy.co.uk