We are into British Food Fortnight, a chance to celebrate our Country's culinary delights. The celebrations cover restaurants, schools, pubs, care homes and hospitals, and they try to get people to indulge in local flavours. 

It is not only to promote British Food but also to encourage people to buy British produce. This fortnight started in 2002 as a result of the Foot and Mouth Crisis, which badly affected farmers all over the Country. It was created by Alexia Robinson to help the rural communities and support the farmers by getting people to buy British food. Her idea was to have a national celebration that would encourage people to seek out local produce and appreciate their British heritage. 

Unfortunately, our food is not really exciting and a lot of it is unhealthy, but the British seem to love it.

Traditional breakfast at weekends consists of all fried stuff, eggs, bacon, sausage, beans, and fried bread. Often, more stuff is added, like tomatoes and mushrooms. 

Sausage and Mash is another traditional dish, as is Toad in the Hole, which dates back to the 18th Century. 

Fish and Chips, again fried, are very popular, especially on a Friday.

Other favourites are Shepherd’s Pie and Yorkshire Pudding.  Each region has its own specialities, like Cornish Pasties and Melton Mowbary Pork Pies. The British also love their pies and steak and kidney puddings.

No wonder a lot of people are overweight.

Favourite desserts are again stodgy, Scones, Spotted Dick, Trifle, Apple Pie and Sticky Toffee Pudding. 

One tradition, which is so British, is that a cup of tea is offered to visitors as they walk through the door. 

I have to admit that when buying vegetables, if possible, I will buy British, as imported ones are usually not good.

Lincolnshire grows, I believe, most of the veg for the Country, and to be honest, there is not a lot wrong with it.  You also get Farmer's Markets where it is all locally grown stuff, and well worth a visit. 

We may not all fancy the fried breakfast or stodgy puddings, but we can still help celebrate this fortnight by ensuring we buy British Food, be it meat, veg, or anything else, and let's appreciate what we do have food-wise in this Country.