Get ready for Great British Beef Week

A national campaign with proud Westcountry roots is returning this weekend to celebrate ‘naturally delicious’ British beef, reports

BRITISH roast beef will be reimagined when a trio of top influencers share recipes on social media to mark one of the nation’s favourite foodie weeks.

Great British Beef Week (GBBW) returns this weekend on St George’s Day, and the ’naturally delicious’ beef brisket will be reinvented with the infusion of Caribbean, Mexican and Filipino-style cuisines.

The week-long celebration has secured the support of Caribbean chef Liam Barker, Mae Filipino Recipes and Oli Paterson the ‘elburritomonster’, who will be sharing their recipe ideas for the iconic British roast in videos across Facebook and Instagram.

Carrie McDermid, AHDB head of marketing, said: “We are delighted that these three fantastic foodie influencers will use their cooking expertise on social media to inspire the nation to cook with beef during the ever-popular GBBW.

“By sharing these videos, we will be able to reach and encourage more households to mix-up their roast beef experience and celebrate delicious locally reared British beef, which is amongst the most sustainable in the world.”

Returning for a thirteenth year on Sunday and continuing until Sunday, April 30, Great British Beef Week will see farmers, processors, retailers, butchers and chefs uniting with industry leaders to celebrate ‘naturally delicious’ British beef. By sharing recipes, real-life farming stories and infographics on social media and in the press, organisers aim to celebrate the quality and taste of Red Tractor-assured British beef, as well as the UK’s world-leading farming credentials.

The brainchild of Ladies in Beef, a voluntary organisation of female beef farmers co-founded by Devon producer Jilly Greed and National Farmers’ Union (NFU) president Minette Batters, the campaign brings everyone together to celebrate the country’s vibrant red meat industry - and this year will be particularly patriotic with the upcoming coronation of King Charles III on Saturday, May 6 at Westminster Abbey.

Mrs Batters, who runs an arable and livestock enterprise in Wiltshire, will kick-off the celebrations on St George’s Day with an onfarm video for social media, talking about the importance of Great

British Beef Week and the messages around the sustainability of beef production in the UK. The NFU leader will also close the week with a round-up of the activities.

Co-founder Jilly Greed, who farms over 600 acres on the river meadows on the Exe and Culm, explained: “We have one of the most sustainable beef production systems in the world. Using the natural resources of grass, plentiful sunshine and rain we produce highly nutritious British beef that is a natural source of iron and can be very much part of a balanced diet.”

Once again, Great British Beef

Week is supported by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), Red Tractor, the NFU and Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI).

Ms McDermid added: “This year, with the King’s coronation taking place, there will be plenty of opportunities for the British public to celebrate their patriotism as part of Great British Beef Week. We want to celebrate delicious locally reared British beef, which is among the most sustainable in the world. The UK has one of the most climate friendly and sustainable beef production systems in the world.

“This Great British Beef Week, we want to connect the great taste of British beef with our UK farming credentials. And with the launch taking place on St George’s Day and the coronation of the new King shortly after, we hope there will be a real strong element of celebration and pride during this year’s event.”

Ladies in Beef supports the Red Tractor mark, promoting farm assured quality meat. All beef carrying the Red Tractor logo can be traced back to the farms the livestock came from, and you can be assured that the farmers and suppliers meet comprehensive standards covering hygiene, safety and animal welfare at every stage, from farm to fork. Compliance with these strict standards is regularly checked by independent auditors.

To get involved in this year’s Great British Beef Week by hosting your own event or activity, please contact domestic.marketing@ ahdb.org.uk to access any of our supporting marketing materials.

We want to connect the great taste of British beef with our UK farming credentials CARRIE MCDERMID, AHDB

Daniel Graves Photography > Devon’s Jilly Greed (far right) is the co-founder of Ladies in Beef and the Great British Beef Week