Founder of The School of Artisan Food in East Midlands Makes TV Debut
Published On Thursday 19 Apr 2018 by Sticky Beak
See Recent News Articles
BBC Two’s new series Top of the Shop with Tom Kerridge, gives enthusiastic kitchen table producers an opportunity to showcase their produce to real customers. During the eight episodes, food producers attempt to convince expert judges Alison Swan Parente, founder of The School of Artisan Food, and food writer and restaurateur Nisha Katona that their product is the best and deserves a permanent space in the shop.
The programme will showcase the wares of up and coming amateur food producers. Judging alongside Nisha Katona, Alison will examine products from categories including chutneys and preserves, to cheese and chocolate.
Alison founded The School of Artisan Food in 2009 in the heart of the historic Welbeck Estate lying between Nottingham and Sheffield when she realised she couldn't find any good artisan bakers for the bakery she had set up.Alison made her TV debut with the first episode airing on Tuesday 17 April on BBC Two at 8pm; followed by Episode Two on Wednesday 18 April.
Explaining why she is taking part in the show, Alison said: “After the Second World War we fell in love with convenience food. It was a revolution in so many ways and it did bring huge advantages, particularly for women. Along with a number of other social changes, it helped free them from the kitchen, but in the rush for quicker, more convenient food within a couple of generations the recipes and skills which would have normally been handed down began to disappear. What was gained in some ways was lost in others, in terms of health, quality and taste, as food became more and more processed.
"I realised that if we didn’t do something to halt the decline very quickly, the art of not just baking, but everything from pickling to jam making and butchery would become obsolete. That's why I founded The School of Artisan Food in 2009 and also why I said yes to taking part in Top of the Shop, as both are about going back to basics and reconnecting with good food."
For more information on Top of the Shop, visit www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b090vm
| Sheffields newest concept bar set to blend Barbados sun with industrial cool A lush slice of the Caribbean is arriving in Kelham Island at the end of this month as the citys first ever Caribbean Garden Bar opens its doors. With a £500,000 investment, Read The Article | |
| Meet The Derby Restaurant Playing Cupid This November Romance is on the menu at one of Derbys most stylish restaurants, where a Breeze partnership is transforming weekends into First Dates moments. Nicco Restaurant Read The Article | |
| Luke Evans Bakery Unveils Fresh New Look One of the oldest family bakers in the East Midlands has unveiled new updated branding and livery to reflect its heritage and quality. Derbyshire-based Luke Evans Bakery has also Read The Article | |
| Derbys Cathedral Quarter Hotel opens its doors this Christmas to help tackle loneliness in the city A Derby hotel is staying open this Christmas so people feeling lonely over the festive season can book a break and find new friends. Read The Article | |
| The Bakewell Tart Shop celebrates third consecutive Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award The Bakewell Tart Shop has once again been recognised among the top 10% of restaurants worldwide, after being awarded Tripadvisors Travellers Read The Article | |
| The Ashford Arms Named In The Top 1% Of Restaurants Worldwide By Tripadvisor The Ashford Arms - a historic 17th-century country inn with rooms in Ashford-in-the-Water, near Bakewell in the Peak District - has been Read The Article | |
| Sheffields Food Heritage Book Launch Draws Crowds to Stannington Library People from across Sheffield made the journey to Stannington Library this week to celebrate the launch of The Unsung Flavours of Sheffield - a new book Read The Article | |
| The Miners Opens Its Doors: A Café, Deli & Wine Bar Celebrating Local Produce and Community Spirit A new chapter begins for one of Edwinstowe's most cherished spaces, as The Miners officially opens its doors this week. The Read The Article | |
| The Cupola in the Peak District Wins Central England Prestige Award for Self-Catering Accommodation The Cupola Kitchen and Rooms in Stoney Middleton has been named Self Catering Accommodation of the Year Read The Article | |
| The Hide Opens Its Doors - Chatsworth Escapes introduces new affordable Peak District hotel Set in moorland on the edge of Chatsworth Estate, The Hide opens its doors this week, providing an affordable yet stylish base for those looking Read The Article | |