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Ramsay food fines idea gets a roasting

7:57am Tuesday 13th May 2008

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By Will Kilner »

A leading Bradford restaurant owner has hit out at celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay for suggesting that restaurants serving out of season fruit and vegetables should be fined.

The star chef says the move would help tackle global warming by limiting the amount of produce being flown across the world to the UK.

But Peter Bashir, owner of Zouk tea room and grill and Kebabeesh restaurants in Bradford says the idea would not achieve its aims.

He said: "Our restaurants are green as we recycle everything we can including cooking oil that goes for biofuel. But I think Gordon Ramsay's suggestion of fines is just silly.

"Much of the out-of-season produce we use in this country is grown by poor farmers in areas such as east Africa who are only just scraping a living. If we stopped importing it then they would suffer.

"These farmers are growing in natural sunny climates and not using glass houses to force their produce like we have to do here, which is not exactly green. Whilst there is the carbon footprint of flying in the produce, I believe we would be doing far more damage by banning imports."

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sajenkin, Odsal says...
9:46am Tue 13 May 08

Whilst GR's suggestion of fines is somewhat off target, the principles behind his outburst are sound. I am not some kind of eco-terrorist, but there is eminent sense in using seasonal produce and not relying on out of season foods flown half way across the world. The argument that we would damage the economies of the third world are cynical attempts at emotional blackmail. This country, through govt aid and charitable activities, does much to support these countries already. I dont think it unreasonable that we also attempt to protect the future of the world by looking carefully at the way we do things and seek to reduce our impact on climate change.

sajenkin, Odsal says...
9:46am Tue 13 May 08

Whilst GR's suggestion of fines is somewhat off target, the principles behind his outburst are sound. I am not some kind of eco-terrorist, but there is eminent sense in using seasonal produce and not relying on out of season foods flown half way across the world. The argument that we would damage the economies of the third world are cynical attempts at emotional blackmail. This country, through govt aid and charitable activities, does much to support these countries already. I dont think it unreasonable that we also attempt to protect the future of the world by looking carefully at the way we do things and seek to reduce our impact on climate change.

sajenkin, Odsal says...
9:46am Tue 13 May 08

Whilst GR's suggestion of fines is somewhat off target, the principles behind his outburst are sound. I am not some kind of eco-terrorist, but there is eminent sense in using seasonal produce and not relying on out of season foods flown half way across the world. The argument that we would damage the economies of the third world are cynical attempts at emotional blackmail. This country, through govt aid and charitable activities, does much to support these countries already. I dont think it unreasonable that we also attempt to protect the future of the world by looking carefully at the way we do things and seek to reduce our impact on climate change.

sigil, terminus says...
11:43am Tue 13 May 08

At the weekend, another tv chef downloaded Ramseys restaurant menu and found a large number of dishes containing out of season fruit and vegetables.

sigil, terminus says...
11:43am Tue 13 May 08

At the weekend, another tv chef downloaded Ramseys restaurant menu and found a large number of dishes containing out of season fruit and vegetables.

sigil, terminus says...
11:43am Tue 13 May 08

At the weekend, another tv chef downloaded Ramseys restaurant menu and found a large number of dishes containing out of season fruit and vegetables.

Woody, Manningham says...
12:06pm Tue 13 May 08

As much as I personally dislike Gordon Ramsay, I have to agree that it is environmentally unsound to import foodstuffs from far away countries. I even extend this to wine. Why buy wine from Australia and South America when we make perfectly good wine on our 'doorstep' in Europe? Similarly, I won't buy apples or potatoes unless they are British. As for supporting foreign farmers, this makes no sense either, why can't they grow food for themselves, for the people of their own country? The notion of supporting foreign countries only makes 'sense' when food is considered in economic terms of 'goods'. This is because every country is pursuing the unattainable and unsustainable notion of Economic Growth.It makes much more sense to abandon the goal of economic growth altogether, and instead produce what we need (rather than what we want),locally, utilizing local resources. This is the only way we could have saved the planet from destruction. The economist, E.F.Schumacher, knew this and said so in his book 'Small is Beautiful' back in 1972.

Woody, Manningham says...
12:06pm Tue 13 May 08

As much as I personally dislike Gordon Ramsay, I have to agree that it is environmentally unsound to import foodstuffs from far away countries. I even extend this to wine. Why buy wine from Australia and South America when we make perfectly good wine on our 'doorstep' in Europe? Similarly, I won't buy apples or potatoes unless they are British. As for supporting foreign farmers, this makes no sense either, why can't they grow food for themselves, for the people of their own country? The notion of supporting foreign countries only makes 'sense' when food is considered in economic terms of 'goods'. This is because every country is pursuing the unattainable and unsustainable notion of Economic Growth.It makes much more sense to abandon the goal of economic growth altogether, and instead produce what we need (rather than what we want),locally, utilizing local resources. This is the only way we could have saved the planet from destruction. The economist, E.F.Schumacher, knew this and said so in his book 'Small is Beautiful' back in 1972.

Woody, Manningham says...
12:06pm Tue 13 May 08

As much as I personally dislike Gordon Ramsay, I have to agree that it is environmentally unsound to import foodstuffs from far away countries. I even extend this to wine. Why buy wine from Australia and South America when we make perfectly good wine on our 'doorstep' in Europe? Similarly, I won't buy apples or potatoes unless they are British. As for supporting foreign farmers, this makes no sense either, why can't they grow food for themselves, for the people of their own country? The notion of supporting foreign countries only makes 'sense' when food is considered in economic terms of 'goods'. This is because every country is pursuing the unattainable and unsustainable notion of Economic Growth.It makes much more sense to abandon the goal of economic growth altogether, and instead produce what we need (rather than what we want),locally, utilizing local resources. This is the only way we could have saved the planet from destruction. The economist, E.F.Schumacher, knew this and said so in his book 'Small is Beautiful' back in 1972.

matthew brannan, says...
12:35pm Tue 13 May 08

Stawberries from kenya,oranges from africa, peas from greece,potatoes from spain-no doubt slave labour and rich employers springs to mind. We could be self sufficient here in the UK but shame on me for thinking these things when the back handers and "other trades" linked to dealing with these other suppliers makes certian perople rich!!

Years ago if someone got a fruit from abroad they were rich to buy it beacuse it cost so much.
No bugger cares really....lets screw everyone and I'm not bothered I live in a big detached farm surrounded by fields and countryside and not with all the muppets!!!!!

matthew brannan, says...
12:35pm Tue 13 May 08

Stawberries from kenya,oranges from africa, peas from greece,potatoes from spain-no doubt slave labour and rich employers springs to mind. We could be self sufficient here in the UK but shame on me for thinking these things when the back handers and "other trades" linked to dealing with these other suppliers makes certian perople rich!!

Years ago if someone got a fruit from abroad they were rich to buy it beacuse it cost so much.
No bugger cares really....lets screw everyone and I'm not bothered I live in a big detached farm surrounded by fields and countryside and not with all the muppets!!!!!

matthew brannan, says...
12:35pm Tue 13 May 08

Stawberries from kenya,oranges from africa, peas from greece,potatoes from spain-no doubt slave labour and rich employers springs to mind. We could be self sufficient here in the UK but shame on me for thinking these things when the back handers and "other trades" linked to dealing with these other suppliers makes certian perople rich!!

Years ago if someone got a fruit from abroad they were rich to buy it beacuse it cost so much.
No bugger cares really....lets screw everyone and I'm not bothered I live in a big detached farm surrounded by fields and countryside and not with all the muppets!!!!!

steve57, bradford says...
1:37pm Tue 13 May 08

gordon ramsey talks right out of his garlic roasted chaffer,this world aint going to stop moving and listen to a washed out footballer **** grill chef with an egomaniac personality

steve57, bradford says...
1:37pm Tue 13 May 08

gordon ramsey talks right out of his garlic roasted chaffer,this world aint going to stop moving and listen to a washed out footballer **** grill chef with an egomaniac personality

steve57, bradford says...
1:37pm Tue 13 May 08

gordon ramsey talks right out of his garlic roasted chaffer,this world aint going to stop moving and listen to a washed out footballer **** grill chef with an egomaniac personality

minimadhippychik, Bradford says...
3:23pm Tue 13 May 08

Try supporting British farmers, and economic growth? It just means somewhere else is becoming even worse off in my opinion.

minimadhippychik, Bradford says...
3:23pm Tue 13 May 08

Try supporting British farmers, and economic growth? It just means somewhere else is becoming even worse off in my opinion.

minimadhippychik, Bradford says...
3:23pm Tue 13 May 08

Try supporting British farmers, and economic growth? It just means somewhere else is becoming even worse off in my opinion.

albion, west riding says...
4:09pm Tue 13 May 08

minimadhippychik wrote:
Try supporting British farmers, and economic growth? It just means somewhere else is becoming even worse off in my opinion.
That is somewhere elses problem.

albion, west riding says...
4:09pm Tue 13 May 08

minimadhippychik wrote:
Try supporting British farmers, and economic growth? It just means somewhere else is becoming even worse off in my opinion.
That is somewhere elses problem.

albion, west riding says...
4:09pm Tue 13 May 08

minimadhippychik wrote:
Try supporting British farmers, and economic growth? It just means somewhere else is becoming even worse off in my opinion.
That is somewhere elses problem.

minimadhippychik, Bradford says...
4:15pm Tue 13 May 08

Yes ALBION it is someone elses problem, thank goodness you're not a "someone else" with the problem then eh? So many insightful comments here tday...

minimadhippychik, Bradford says...
4:15pm Tue 13 May 08

Yes ALBION it is someone elses problem, thank goodness you're not a "someone else" with the problem then eh? So many insightful comments here tday...

minimadhippychik, Bradford says...
4:15pm Tue 13 May 08

Yes ALBION it is someone elses problem, thank goodness you're not a "someone else" with the problem then eh? So many insightful comments here tday...

albion, west riding says...
4:20pm Tue 13 May 08

minimadhippychik wrote:
Yes ALBION it is someone elses problem, thank goodness you're not a "someone else" with the problem then eh? So many insightful comments here tday...
You have to look after your own first and foremost, that is my opinion and i wont be changing it.

albion, west riding says...
4:20pm Tue 13 May 08

minimadhippychik wrote:
Yes ALBION it is someone elses problem, thank goodness you're not a "someone else" with the problem then eh? So many insightful comments here tday...
You have to look after your own first and foremost, that is my opinion and i wont be changing it.

albion, west riding says...
4:20pm Tue 13 May 08

minimadhippychik wrote:
Yes ALBION it is someone elses problem, thank goodness you're not a "someone else" with the problem then eh? So many insightful comments here tday...
You have to look after your own first and foremost, that is my opinion and i wont be changing it.

Woody, Manningham says...
4:28pm Tue 13 May 08

albion wrote:
minimadhippychik wrote:
Yes ALBION it is someone elses problem, thank goodness you're not a "someone else" with the problem then eh? So many insightful comments here tday...
You have to look after your own first and foremost, that is my opinion and i wont be changing it.
"Your own" should mean the rest of your fellow human race. there is no such thing as an isolated problem. Such views are the erroneous result of inhabiting a fragmented Reality. Everything is inter-connected. All is One. The various problems extant in the world today have arisen as a result of such marginalization in the past. The root cause of all chaos is separateness.

Woody, Manningham says...
4:28pm Tue 13 May 08

albion wrote:
minimadhippychik wrote:
Yes ALBION it is someone elses problem, thank goodness you're not a "someone else" with the problem then eh? So many insightful comments here tday...
You have to look after your own first and foremost, that is my opinion and i wont be changing it.
"Your own" should mean the rest of your fellow human race. there is no such thing as an isolated problem. Such views are the erroneous result of inhabiting a fragmented Reality. Everything is inter-connected. All is One. The various problems extant in the world today have arisen as a result of such marginalization in the past. The root cause of all chaos is separateness.

Woody, Manningham says...
4:28pm Tue 13 May 08

albion wrote:
minimadhippychik wrote:
Yes ALBION it is someone elses problem, thank goodness you're not a "someone else" with the problem then eh? So many insightful comments here tday...
You have to look after your own first and foremost, that is my opinion and i wont be changing it.
"Your own" should mean the rest of your fellow human race. there is no such thing as an isolated problem. Such views are the erroneous result of inhabiting a fragmented Reality. Everything is inter-connected. All is One. The various problems extant in the world today have arisen as a result of such marginalization in the past. The root cause of all chaos is separateness.

minimadhippychik, Bradford says...
4:32pm Tue 13 May 08

(Albion) Good, you can appreciate the value of supporting British farmers then can't you? Unless you just like trying to make debates about unbiased facts placed in response to another persons comments? (Woodys if you didn't realise, in support of his comments on economic growth and supporting British Farmers instead of every other country but)
I hope your appetite for confrontation has been sated, but I doubt that, hope you never need anyone's help :o)

minimadhippychik, Bradford says...
4:32pm Tue 13 May 08

(Albion) Good, you can appreciate the value of supporting British farmers then can't you? Unless you just like trying to make debates about unbiased facts placed in response to another persons comments? (Woodys if you didn't realise, in support of his comments on economic growth and supporting British Farmers instead of every other country but)
I hope your appetite for confrontation has been sated, but I doubt that, hope you never need anyone's help :o)

minimadhippychik, Bradford says...
4:32pm Tue 13 May 08

(Albion) Good, you can appreciate the value of supporting British farmers then can't you? Unless you just like trying to make debates about unbiased facts placed in response to another persons comments? (Woodys if you didn't realise, in support of his comments on economic growth and supporting British Farmers instead of every other country but)
I hope your appetite for confrontation has been sated, but I doubt that, hope you never need anyone's help :o)

albion, west riding says...
4:40pm Tue 13 May 08

As someone who was born into a farming family (not my own occupation i should add) i fully understand the problems farmers have, and how others have deserted them and encouraged the industry to virtual ruin. I personally support british products as and when possible, as i already said i look to my own.

albion, west riding says...
4:40pm Tue 13 May 08

As someone who was born into a farming family (not my own occupation i should add) i fully understand the problems farmers have, and how others have deserted them and encouraged the industry to virtual ruin. I personally support british products as and when possible, as i already said i look to my own.

albion, west riding says...
4:40pm Tue 13 May 08

As someone who was born into a farming family (not my own occupation i should add) i fully understand the problems farmers have, and how others have deserted them and encouraged the industry to virtual ruin. I personally support british products as and when possible, as i already said i look to my own.

Woody, Manningham says...
4:51pm Tue 13 May 08

minimadhippychik wrote:
(Albion) Good, you can appreciate the value of supporting British farmers then can't you? Unless you just like trying to make debates about unbiased facts placed in response to another persons comments? (Woodys if you didn't realise, in support of his comments on economic growth and supporting British Farmers instead of every other country but)
I hope your appetite for confrontation has been sated, but I doubt that, hope you never need anyone's help :o)
I hope you didn't misconstrue my comments. I am NOT in favour of supporting economic growth - quite the opposite! and I am not in favour of supporting British farmers simply because they are British, but because it makes more sense environmentally, to grow as much food locally rather than import it long distances. On another level, I think it may lead to a more caring and appreciative society, if we were caused to consider the food we eat as it is available rather than take it for granted via the seemingly endless, effortless, supermarket chain of supply.

Woody, Manningham says...
4:51pm Tue 13 May 08

minimadhippychik wrote:
(Albion) Good, you can appreciate the value of supporting British farmers then can't you? Unless you just like trying to make debates about unbiased facts placed in response to another persons comments? (Woodys if you didn't realise, in support of his comments on economic growth and supporting British Farmers instead of every other country but)
I hope your appetite for confrontation has been sated, but I doubt that, hope you never need anyone's help :o)
I hope you didn't misconstrue my comments. I am NOT in favour of supporting economic growth - quite the opposite! and I am not in favour of supporting British farmers simply because they are British, but because it makes more sense environmentally, to grow as much food locally rather than import it long distances. On another level, I think it may lead to a more caring and appreciative society, if we were caused to consider the food we eat as it is available rather than take it for granted via the seemingly endless, effortless, supermarket chain of supply.

Woody, Manningham says...
4:51pm Tue 13 May 08

minimadhippychik wrote:
(Albion) Good, you can appreciate the value of supporting British farmers then can't you? Unless you just like trying to make debates about unbiased facts placed in response to another persons comments? (Woodys if you didn't realise, in support of his comments on economic growth and supporting British Farmers instead of every other country but)
I hope your appetite for confrontation has been sated, but I doubt that, hope you never need anyone's help :o)
I hope you didn't misconstrue my comments. I am NOT in favour of supporting economic growth - quite the opposite! and I am not in favour of supporting British farmers simply because they are British, but because it makes more sense environmentally, to grow as much food locally rather than import it long distances. On another level, I think it may lead to a more caring and appreciative society, if we were caused to consider the food we eat as it is available rather than take it for granted via the seemingly endless, effortless, supermarket chain of supply.

Woody, Manningham says...
5:03pm Tue 13 May 08

albion wrote:
As someone who was born into a farming family (not my own occupation i should add) i fully understand the problems farmers have, and how others have deserted them and encouraged the industry to virtual ruin. I personally support british products as and when possible, as i already said i look to my own.
Q. What's the definition of a farmer?

A. A man outstanding in his field.

Woody, Manningham says...
5:03pm Tue 13 May 08

albion wrote:
As someone who was born into a farming family (not my own occupation i should add) i fully understand the problems farmers have, and how others have deserted them and encouraged the industry to virtual ruin. I personally support british products as and when possible, as i already said i look to my own.
Q. What's the definition of a farmer?

A. A man outstanding in his field.

Woody, Manningham says...
5:03pm Tue 13 May 08

albion wrote:
As someone who was born into a farming family (not my own occupation i should add) i fully understand the problems farmers have, and how others have deserted them and encouraged the industry to virtual ruin. I personally support british products as and when possible, as i already said i look to my own.
Q. What's the definition of a farmer?

A. A man outstanding in his field.

Newsquestionable, Everywhere says...
5:49pm Tue 13 May 08

Do you support British computer manufacturers Albion? Your PC's not made in China is it? Or your MP3 player? Or pretty much any electronic, white good or toy? Got a car? Where was that made?

Yes we should buy British produce wherever possible but let's be realistic about the nature of today's world shall we? Especially if we're going to criticise others for "not supporting" domestic concerns.

As for Ramsey, wouldn't have a TV show coming out would he? Why next he'll be popping at Saint Delia.

Newsquestionable, Everywhere says...
5:49pm Tue 13 May 08

Do you support British computer manufacturers Albion? Your PC's not made in China is it? Or your MP3 player? Or pretty much any electronic, white good or toy? Got a car? Where was that made?

Yes we should buy British produce wherever possible but let's be realistic about the nature of today's world shall we? Especially if we're going to criticise others for "not supporting" domestic concerns.

As for Ramsey, wouldn't have a TV show coming out would he? Why next he'll be popping at Saint Delia.

Newsquestionable, Everywhere says...
5:49pm Tue 13 May 08

Do you support British computer manufacturers Albion? Your PC's not made in China is it? Or your MP3 player? Or pretty much any electronic, white good or toy? Got a car? Where was that made?

Yes we should buy British produce wherever possible but let's be realistic about the nature of today's world shall we? Especially if we're going to criticise others for "not supporting" domestic concerns.

As for Ramsey, wouldn't have a TV show coming out would he? Why next he'll be popping at Saint Delia.

albion, west riding says...
5:57pm Tue 13 May 08

Newsquestionable wrote:
Do you support British computer manufacturers Albion? Your PC's not made in China is it? Or your MP3 player? Or pretty much any electronic, white good or toy? Got a car? Where was that made? Yes we should buy British produce wherever possible but let's be realistic about the nature of today's world shall we? Especially if we're going to criticise others for "not supporting" domestic concerns. As for Ramsey, wouldn't have a TV show coming out would he? Why next he'll be popping at Saint Delia.
He might, he has also opened a new restaurant, my computer was made to my specifications in Bingley (some of the components will be imported),i dont have a car due to vision problems, and i dont have an MP3 due to being an old git.

albion, west riding says...
5:57pm Tue 13 May 08

Newsquestionable wrote:
Do you support British computer manufacturers Albion? Your PC's not made in China is it? Or your MP3 player? Or pretty much any electronic, white good or toy? Got a car? Where was that made? Yes we should buy British produce wherever possible but let's be realistic about the nature of today's world shall we? Especially if we're going to criticise others for "not supporting" domestic concerns. As for Ramsey, wouldn't have a TV show coming out would he? Why next he'll be popping at Saint Delia.
He might, he has also opened a new restaurant, my computer was made to my specifications in Bingley (some of the components will be imported),i dont have a car due to vision problems, and i dont have an MP3 due to being an old git.

albion, west riding says...
5:57pm Tue 13 May 08

Newsquestionable wrote:
Do you support British computer manufacturers Albion? Your PC's not made in China is it? Or your MP3 player? Or pretty much any electronic, white good or toy? Got a car? Where was that made? Yes we should buy British produce wherever possible but let's be realistic about the nature of today's world shall we? Especially if we're going to criticise others for "not supporting" domestic concerns. As for Ramsey, wouldn't have a TV show coming out would he? Why next he'll be popping at Saint Delia.
He might, he has also opened a new restaurant, my computer was made to my specifications in Bingley (some of the components will be imported),i dont have a car due to vision problems, and i dont have an MP3 due to being an old git.

Your sayYourBradford

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