Highland Park Forms New Chef Alliance with Slow Food UK

Grounded in shared beliefs and values, Highland Park has forged a partnership with Slow Food UK.

Leading lights of the culinary world came together this week at an exclusive event to mark the launch of Slow Food UK’s Chef Alliance, a new initiative which will encourage chefs to actively support the aims of Slow Food UK.

Twenty-five of London’s celebrated chefs, including the Michelin-starred Michel Roux Jr of Le Gavroche fame, Bryn Williams, chef patron at Odette’s and Francesco Mazzei of L'Anima, congregated at Richard Corrigan’s eponymous Mayfair restaurant (28 Upper Grosvenor Street) for Slow Food UK’s inaugural Chef Alliance gathering.

The star-studded event was hosted by Slow Food UK CEO, Catherine Gazzoli and Irish-born chef-restaurateur Richard Corrigan who has taken on the role of Chef Alliance spokesperson.

This dynamic new scheme, which launched in partnership with Highland Park whisky, hopes to engage Britain’s chefs in actively supporting the aims of Slow Food UK by championing small-scale producers and sustainably-sourced, quality produce.

Slow Food is a global, grassroots movement that links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment.

Chefs who attended this week's lunch enjoyed a menu specially created by Richard Corrigan using Ark of Taste produce, a list of UK products in danger of disappearing, which members of the Alliance will be encouraged to use, when appropriate, on their own menus.

Richard Corrigan 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's Catherine Gazzoli said: "We’re really excited to be welcoming so many acclaimed chefs to the Alliance.

"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. It’s great to know we have so much support out there, and I truly believe this is the start of something very special."

Gerry Tosh, global marketing manager for Highland Park, said: "At Highland Park our commitment to making great whisky, which is rich in flavour and offers the best taste experience, sits at the very heart of what we do.

"Working with Slow Food, therefore, feels like a natural fit for us and one where we can forge a partnership grounded in shared beliefs and values."

The Chef Alliance will be rolled out across the UK, with regional launches set to be hosted over the coming months.

All types of establishments will be welcomed. However, resident chefs must first become members of their local Slow Food UK group and membership will be by invitation only.

Established in 1798 on Orkney, Highland Park is one of the most remote Scotch whisky distilleries in the world. For over 200 years, the distillery has combined time-old tradition and the very best craftsmanship to achieve perfection.

Its range of 12, 15, 18, 21, 25, 30 and 40-year-old single malts is consistently acclaimed by connoisseurs and experts. Highland Park has won a string of prestigious awards across its portfolio.

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