SPICE UP YOUR LIFE ROSL's food revolution - Royal Over ...
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ISSUE 725 MARCH - MAY 2021 SPICE UP YOUR LIFE ROSL’s food revolution
WELCOME
BLACK MASTERPIECE
LIMITED EDITION
“Looking ahead at
The Royal Over-Seas League is dedicated
to championing international friendship and
In honour of the 20th anniversary of the Steinway Crown Jewels series we present understanding through cultural and education
BLACK MASTERPIECE – an edition limited to 20 models worldwide with a sophisticated activities around the Commonwealth and beyond.
black look that will delight lovers of clear design. A not-for-profit private members’ organisation,
we’ve been bringing like-minded people
together since 1910.
what will no doubt
OVERSEAS EDITORIAL TEAM
Editor
be a brighter and
better springtime”
Mr Mark Brierley: editor@rosl.org.uk;
+44 (0)20 7408 0214
Design
zed creative: www.zedcreative.co.uk
ROYAL OVER-SEAS LEAGUE Writing in the time of yet another lockdown, I’m aware of how important
Incorporated by Royal Charter
keeping up morale is for all of the ROSL community. In part, this is done
Patron HM The Queen
Vice-Patron HRH Princess Alexandra KG GCVO by keeping in touch, tuning into online events and conversations, but
President
The Rt Hon The Lord Geidt GCB GCVO OBE QSO PC
also through looking ahead at what will no doubt be a brighter and better
Chairman The Hon. Alexander Downer AC springtime now that the vaccination programme is being rolled out.
Deputy Chairman Anne Wilkinson
Hon Treasurer Richard Harbord FCA
In particular, the ROSL team, led by Resident Manager Warren Miller,
Over-Seas House, Park Place, St James’s Street, is working hard to put in place a new food and beverage offering for
London SW1A 1LR; +44 (0)20 7408 0214;
Fax +44 (0)20 7499 6738; info@rosl.org.uk; members upon reopening. After a formal catering beauty parade just
www.rosl.org.uk
before Christmas, presented to members of Central Council, the Senior
CENTR AL COUNCIL
Anjola-Oluwa Adeniyi, Paul Arkwright CMG, Leadership Team and I took the collective and unanimous decision to take
Ruth Bala, The Hon. Alexander Downer AC,
Nabeel Goheer, Richard Harbord FCA,
catering back in-house. Already many impressive candidates have applied
Alistair Harrison CMG CVO, Anthony Teasdale, for the new Executive Chef and Food & Beverage Manager positions.
Susan Walton, Helen Prince,
Atholl Swainston-Harrison, Anne Wilkinson
Director-General
The ROSL team is very excited about the coming months, and looking
Dr Annette Prandzioch: +44 (0)20 7408 0214 x201; forward to unveiling and rolling out the new offering to members.
patodirectorgeneral@rosl.org.uk
Chief Finance Officer Not only will we ensure members have the option of their favourite club
Alexis Corzberg FCMA: acorzberg@rosl.org.uk
Director of Membership,
classics, but we also aim to offer international cuisine in tune with our
Marketing and Communications mandate of international friendship in the Commonwealth and beyond,
Jon Kudlick: +44 (0)20 7408 0214 x204;
jkudlick@rosl.org.uk maybe even delivered by the occasional international chef in residence,
Director of Education Projects
Margaret Adrian-Vallance MBE: together with the new Executive Chef. During the course of this year, we
+44 (0)20 7408 0214 x307; mvallance@rosl.org.uk
will also launch a ROSL wine club – we are sure this will prove popular!
Artistic Director
Geoff Parkin: +44 (0)20 7408 0214 x325; And we will continue to make the most of our wonderful garden and
gparkin@rosl.org.uk
Resident Manager terrace, with the introduction of outdoor heating, and exciting pop-ups
Warren Miller: +44 (0)20 7408 0214 x203;
wmiller@rosl.org.uk
on food and drink. Also, during the course of 2021, we will introduce an
Director of HR afternoon tea in the newly and elegantly refurbished drawing room.
Sarah Banner: sbanner@rosl.org.uk
Membership And a further item on our catering agenda is to provide pre-concert menus,
+44 (0)20 7408 0214 x214; membership@rosl.org.uk
and other food and beverage offerings around the splendid music and arts
For more contacts visit www.rosl.org.uk/the-team
Print Gemini Print Group: +44 (0)127 346 4884 programmes, as well as the public and international events series we have
The journal is published by the Royal Over-Seas League,
Over-Seas House, Park Place, St James’s Street, just launched. And the entire team is keen to build up to bringing a fine
London SW1A 1LR. Any views expressed in editorial
and any advertisements included are not necessarily dining option for members to ROSL in the splendid Art Deco dining room.
endorsed by the Central Council.
BLACK MASTERPIECE grand pianos are issued as model B 211cm and are equipped
ISSN 00307424 All in all, we hope you agree there’s a lot to look forward to!
with , the most modern technology Steinway currently has to offer.
Dr Annette Prandzioch
DIRECTOR-GENERAL
Steinway Hall London W1U 2DB For more information or to arrange a private appointment at our London showrooms, please call: 0207 487 3391 or email info@steinway.co.uk
W W W. R O S L .O R G .U K 3
From the
EDITOR
22
The pandemic has changed many aspects of our lives
over the past 12 months, some only temporarily,
but some for a lifetime. What we eat and drink has
certainly been impacted, with most of us forced to eat
at home almost exclusively. This has led some of us to
brush up on our cooking skills, some to start growing
our own at home, and many more to long for the day
when restaurants reopen! In this edition of Overseas,
we take a look at how food and drink is changing, not
“When life threw me only in terms of what we are eating, but also how it is
produced, how it is cooked, and how it is disposed of.
a curveball, I turned On page 22, Natalie Healey looks at how you can
get started in your garden, or even on your window
to gardening as a ledge, with growing your own vegetables and herbs.
No experience needed!
distraction. It turned The rise in so-called flexitarianism over the past
few years has seen many take a closer look at their
out to make me diets and try to reduce the amount of meat they eat
as a result. In December 2020, the first lab-grown
really happy” meat product was approved in Singapore, making its
restaurant debut a few weeks later. On page 26,
Abi Millar asks if now the time for cultured meat
– billed as an ethical alternative to farmed meat
– to start gaining traction?
In the UK alone, 4.5 million tonnes of edible food is
WELCOME NEWS & EVENTS wasted by families every year, equivalent to £700 per
3 From the D-G favourite dishes from 15 M
y
City: growing their own food. 32 ROSL's
new link Council, legacies, household. On page 18, we find out how can we get
With a new food and their home country Washington, DC Natalie Healey finds out with Tanzania and more better at buying, storing, using, and reusing our food?
drink offering under way, Member Kathleen Mistry how anyone can get started Margaret Adrian-Vallance
10 Heard it through 41 Event highlights We also take a trip around the Commonwealth by
there's plenty to look gives us the highlights explains how our
the grapevine 26 M
eat the new meat The dust has barely asking ROSL staff about the cuisine and favourite
forward to in 2021 of her hometown support for marginalised
150 years and five In December, the first settled on last year's dishes of their home countries, on page 8.
lab-grown meat product communities around the
generations has made Annual Music
Commonwealth is more Of course, no discussion of food and drink would be
ROSL PEOPLE the Davy family expert WORLD was approved in Singapore.
important than ever in
Competition, but we're
Is now the time for cultured back again already, complete without talking about ROSL’s own catering.
wine merchants. As 18 Going zero waste
6 Homemade meat, billed as an ethical these difficult times As Annette has already mentioned, the decision was
suppliers to ROSL, plus new Evelyn
After 16 years using an In the UK alone, 4.5
Chairman James Davy alternative to farmed meat, 34 News & views Wrench lectures and taken at the end of 2020 to bring our catering back
external caterer, ROSL million tonnes of edible to start gaining traction?
tells us what it takes to Another successful member-led events in house. With plans progressing at speed, we hear
is bringing its food and food is wasted by families
bring the best to Incognito postcard from ROSL’s Warren Miller about the exciting
drink back in house. every year. How can we 42 E
vents calendar
exhibition, the winner plans lined up for the clubhouse on page 6.
Warren Miller outlines members get better at buying, IN THE UK of the ROSL Composition Upcoming events
the exciting plans for 12 To the Corr storing, using and at the club and online, Read all these features and more, plus news from
30 S
treet food city Award, Beethoven's
your home from home reusing our food? including the ROSL HQ and upcoming events to look forward to
2020 AMC winner In London, you are spoilt 250th birthday, progress
8 Commonwealth cook out Eleanor Corr tells Mark 22 R
aring to grow for choice when it comes in our archives, new continuation of the new over the next few months. I hope you enjoy the issue,
With such varied cuisine Brierley what it was like Previously unloved to street food. Whatever furniture in the Drawing ROSL Public Affairs please get in touch with any comments or suggestions,
across the 54 member to win the competition gardens and allotments your taste buds are after, Room, the launch of Series, concerts, recitals, your feedback is always welcome.
nations of the and how life has been as have been revitalised there is a stallholder in the 2021 Photography and even a comedy night
Commonwealth, we ask a professional musician over the past year as every corner of the capital competition, an to look forward to over Mark Brierley
ROSL staff to pick their over the past year people have turned to able to sate your hunger introduction to Central the next few months editor@rosl.org.uk
4 OVERSE AS JOURNAL M A R C H - M AY 2 0 2 1 W W W. R O S L .O R G .U K 5
PEOPLE PEOPLE
FEED Brabourne Room, making it easier to chat
over your lunch. The bigger plans will start
to be seen as more members start to return
to the clubhouse later this year and into 2022.
YO U R
“Afternoon Tea in the Willingdon Drawing
Room is something I'd like to explore. I want
to go back to basics, offer a traditional
N
afternoon tea with a nice glass of bubbly,
A G N AT O
and then possibly create nice packages so
M
members and their friends can enjoy it.
Longer term, I would like to partner with
tea companies to take our members on a
journey, exploring the customs and history
of tea. Maybe a six-month tour of India?
With catering coming back in-house, You could come in once a month, hear from
the producer, and get to know more about
a whole world of possibilities is opening where your tea comes from.” The recent
up for the food and drink we will be able to refurbishments, including all-new furniture
make the Drawing Room perfect for this.
offer members. Resident Manager Warren
The biggest plans are reserved for the
Miller takes Overseas through some of the dining room downstairs in the Westminster
plans that will give you more choice, higher Wing. But as they are the most ambitious,
they will also take the most time to realise.
quality, and better service at the clubhouse The return of formal dining, which is
something members have been asking for,
is a key part of ROSL’s identity.
“We need to bring that back” agrees Warren.
“When it happens though, all depends on the
other projects going on around the
clubhouse. I've already had designs through,
which include the refurbishment of the
dining room in a classic timeless art deco
My initial focus is on the garden and how style, the inclusion of a bar in the room,
a private dining room, and also the
we can make it even more attractive than
refurbishment of the toilets. We want to
it already is, in terms of food and drink pay homage to the history and heritage
of the Westminster Wing.
A
“I think a bar is essential, for times
when the Duke of York Bar gets too busy.
fter 16 years using an company, as well as the internal bid, which clubhouse is allowed to reopen. This is just Secondly, Warren and the whole ROSL beautiful already, but we need to make it We would love members to come for
external caterer, the past both had to provide a five-year plan with the start of what will be a long process, which team are keen to bring members along on the more weatherproof with better parasols and pre- and post-theatre drinks and dinner.
12 months of Covid- detailed financials ” explains Warren, who aims to restore ROSL’s dining experience journey. You are the reason we are all here, heaters in place, to make it usable in the It would also give members more choice
related restrictions has led the internal bid. “It ended up being a very to its former glory. “I want to get it done after all. Making sure that you get the food cooler months of the Spring and Autumn. in their clubhouse. A classic cosy members
given ROSL the long day, starting at 8am, with the recently right, but it's going to be a bit of a ‘slowly, and drink you want is crucial. That has not The plans are still awaiting approval, bar upstairs and a more of a cocktail bar
opportunity and time to refreshed Central Council, who were slowly’ approach.” stopped Warren for making plans that should however, I am looking at improving the way downstairs. This all comes with time, as
reassess what it can offer members when fantastic. They made sure each bid was The reason for this approach is two-fold. get everyone excited, whether you work we can provide food and drinks to the garden, members start to come back to the club.
they visit the clubhouse; central to this is scrutinised; the right questions were asked.” Firstly, you can’t put the cart before the horse. locally in London and pop in for a drink after which will make life much easier for the chefs It's going to be a journey, it's going to take
the food and drink on offer. The unanimous decision was taken to bring With the clubhouse in lockdown for large work, visit every couple of months for dinner and servers, and ultimately provide a much time, but it'll be worth it.”
In December, Director-General Annette catering back in-house, with Warren leading parts of 2020 as the UK battled the before the theatre, or travel from overseas better service to members and more variety We hope you’ll come along on this journey
Prandzioch and Resident Manager Warren the transition from Graysons, who have coronavirus pandemic, a vital source of once a year to enjoy our hospitality for weeks when it comes to the food we can offer. It will with us. Keep an eye out in future issues,
Miller, along with the support of Central provided catering at the clubhouse for the income was lost for ROSL, so many of at a time. make it much more varied and exciting.” eNewsletter and on the ROSL website for
Council and the Senior Leadership Team, past 16 years. The first step is to hire a new the plans for food and drink can only be “My initial focus is on the garden and There are also small gains to made news as new members of the catering team
assessed internal and external bids to take Food and Beverage Manager, and Executive realised as the world recovers and our how we can make it even more attractive elsewhere in the clubhouse that members come on board, menus are devised and
over the catering at Over-Seas House. Chef, who will be in place ready for when global membership starts to return to than it already is, in terms of food and will benefit from immediately. For example, updates are made to the dining areas around
“In the end, we had one outside catering government restrictions are lifted and the Over-Seas House. drink,” explains Warren. “Of course, it is the acoustics will be improved in the the club. Cheers to that!
6 OVERSE AS JOURNAL M A R C H - M AY 2 0 2 1 W W W. R O S L .O R G .U K 7
Counter clockwise PEOPLE
from left: Potjiekos, a
traditional South African
stew; Jerk chicken;
Nyama Choma
Harriet Leyden,
Marketing Officer
Rich in herbs and spices,
I can guarantee that in
every Jamaican kitchen
you will find scotch bonnet peppers,
pimento seeds, thyme, spring onions,
ginger, and curry powder.
Jamaican cuisine is an emblem of the
intersectionality that arrives from cultures
merging, that is what I love about my
nation’s cuisine. The history, the culture,
the diversity that it reflects. I have favourites
for different occasions; on road trips, I love
peppered shrimp, paired with a freshly
opened coconut; at Christmas I love curried
mutton and roti, on Sundays our traditional
rice and peas (beans), and for breakfast, our
national fruit ackee and saltfish paired with
a cup of Blue Mountain coffee.
Another popular Jamaican classic, which I
COMMONWEALTH love due to it being rich in both flavours and
history, is jerk. The art of jerking, smoking
TRY IT FOR YOURSELF
the meat (or fish or vegetable) on a grill, was
first invented by the inhabitants (Tainos) of Titus Silu, Duty Manager
the island as a way of preserving their food. Kenya is a multi-racial
During the Taino period, it was used as a society, made up of over
method of survival and being discreet they 40 native ethnic tribes, as
would jerk their food in the ground to stop well as Asians, Arabs, and INGREDIENTS - SERVES 4 -6
• Goat, beef, or chicken meat,
54 member nations spanning the four corners of the the smoke from escaping. This method of Europeans. Even though each region of the
cut into bite-sized chunks – 1kg
food preservation was later adopted by the country has its own staple food, in general, the
Earth make Commonwealth cuisine as diverse as it comes. Maroons and passed on from generation to country’s cuisine has been influenced a lot by
• Oil – 3 tbsps
• Warm water – 2 cups
Overseas speaks to three ROSL staff members to find out generation. Today, jerk chicken or fish is early settlers, the main influence coming from • 1 tbsp ginger and garlic paste
typically considered as takeaway street or the Indians who migrated and settled in East • ¼ lemon juice
about the dishes they love from their home countries beach food. Packed with herbs and spices, Africa as railway workers in the 19th Century. • Red hot pepper to taste
• Salt to taste
I like to pair my jerk chicken with bread. There are, however, some ingredients that
are used in all parts of the country, such as
PREPARATION
maize, rice, potatoes, and beans. My favourite • Wash and leave the meat to dry.
Kenyan meal would have to be a combination Put in a bowl and set aside.
Warren Miller, Bunny Chow, a fiery Durban Indian curry was Oxtail, which he would brown in the pot; of Ugali (cornmeal) and Nyama choma • In a separate bowl, mix the ginger
Resident Manager served in a half loaf of white bread; Biltong, fry the onions, garlic, herbs, and spices in the (roasted meat). and garlic paste, and lemon juice.
Growing up in South Africa, spiced dried cured meat; Koeksisters, a juices of the meat, and once cooked, would Ugali is the most common food in Kenya, Then pour the mixture over the meat
I was spoilt with the sheer plaited dough fried then soaked in sugar start to layer the pot with a selection of fresh and probably the most popular in Eastern to marinate it.
• Cover the meat and leave for two
diversity of dishes available syrup; freshly caught fried Snoek; vegetables like patty pans, green beans, baby and Southern Africa. It is very affordable and
hours to marinate completely.
across the country. South African cuisine Mozambican inspired Peri-peri Chicken, corn, cabbage, carrots, and ending with a final easy to make. The main ingredients are water
is heavily influenced by a melting pot of and, of course, the Braai (Barbeque), an layer of potatoes on the top. He would then and maize flour, but you could also use millet COOKING
cultures that make up our wonderful integral part of every South African’s DNA. pour over stock, beer and/or wine to cover the or sorghum flour for a healthier version. • Prepare your grill and have it hot.
Rainbow nation. If I had to choose my favourite dish, it potatoes. The lid would go onto the potjie and Nyama choma literally means grilled • Toss the meat with the oil, then
Food is, of course, highly emotive and would be Potjiekos. Potjiekos is a traditional it was left to simmer for up to six hours, meat in Kiswahili and it’s the unofficial thread it on skewers.
• Dissolve the salt in warm water and
there are so many dishes that conjure up South African stew that is slow cooked without stirring the potjie at any time, as the national dish. The meat is usually goat or beef.
sprinkle it over the meat while cooking
memories for me. A few of the typical South outdoors over wood or charcoal in a aim was for flavours of the different You will find it almost everywhere, from
• Grill the skewered meat, basting it
African dishes include “Umngqusho” (Samp traditional cast iron, three-legged pot. Some ingredients to mix as little as possible. When roadside shacks to local bars, and the finest occasionally with the salt water, until it
and Beans) made from mielie (corn) and of my fondest memories are sitting with my it was finally ready you ended up with the restaurants. In Kenya, any gathering is an is cooked to your desired doneness.
sugar beans, spiced and fruity Cape Malay Dad as he skilfully prepared the “potjie”, mouth-watering stew with meat falling off excuse for eating Nyama choma, where it‘s • Remove the meat from the skewers,
dishes such as Bobotie, which is a spicy explaining in detail the importance of getting the bone, vegetables tender and a deep smoky often paired with ugali, Kachumbari salad and serve with kachumbari salad
mince made with sultanas and baked with every step right and how any deviation in the flavour to the sauce. Without a doubt one (fresh tomatoes and onions salad) and a and ugali
an egg custard bay leaf topping; Mutton steps would prove disastrous. Our favourite of the most delicious South African dishes. local beer.
8 OVERSE AS JOURNAL M A R C H - M AY 2 0 2 1 W W W. R O S L .O R G .U K 9
PEOPLE PEOPLE
Heard it through the
150 years and five generations has made the Davy family expert
wine merchants. As suppliers to ROSL, Chairman James Davy tells
Overseas what it takes to bring the best to members
O
ur approach to buying is simple but it Getting the right wines to you
works for us. We like dealing with We visit our producers when we can, or have samples
independent, family businesses that are a sent to us here, to assess new vintages and select the wines
similar size and have a similar philosophy that we want to import. We also have two annual portfolio
to ours. We are only interested in quality tastings every year, one to cover our producers from the
and being family owned and fully independent, we only ‘Old World’ and the other covering those from the ‘New
need to buy wines if we like them. So, we taste and re- World’. Often, during these tastings producers will present
taste and don’t settle for something if it doesn’t hit the new wines from their range to gauge customer feedback.
spot. At Davy's, we like a good environmental approach Our portfolio tastings take place at Royal Over-Seas
too. The best wineries work in harmony with the land League and are always well attended. ROSL members
and make decisions with the next generation in mind – receive a special price for these tastings – details of which
our business is very much run in the same way. will be released ahead of our next scheduled tasting in
September.
Choosing the right producers Supply to ROSL began following our acquisition of
Our portfolio is Europe heavy because of the number of long- established Wine & Spirit Merchant, Mayor Sworder
standing relationships that we have established over the past in 2009, a company run by ROSL Member and Master
150 years, however, we now work with excellent producers of Wine Martin Everett. Martin remains part of the
across the world. We like to ship wines that are exclusive to team at Davy’s providing continuity and a link to a
Davy’s in the UK. further several decades of supply to the club.
A lot of new producers, we find through relationships. ROSL members have always taken a great interest
We often get recommendations from customers and other in the wines that feature on the lists at the club and the
wineries too. Also, as our wholesale division has grown, list has evolved over the years, inf luenced in part by
we have listened to the growing number of customers that member feedback from the many wine dinners and events
we have in top London restaurants, hotels, and indeed held at Over-Seas House. We aim to act as a conduit
membership organisations such as The Royal Over-Seas between our producers and consumers, and the Royal
League, and responded with styles of wine that they are Over-Seas League is a perfect example of this process
looking for. working well. Most of our producers have visited the club
Our portfolio is made up predominantly of small, for our Annual Portfolio tastings and several have
independent growers who share our philosophy of quality become members along the way.
over quantity. We look for terroir driven wines, which Despite the pandemic, we are still operating as usual
are truly representative of where they come from, whilst so you can order online for contact-free delivery to
also seeking out the personalities behind the wine – the
winemaker or family who own the estate.
your front door. We have created a unique web page
for ROSL members, featuring up to 20% off some
We constantly benchmark our
We constantly benchmark our portfolio to ensure the
wines we offer provide value for money, whatever the price
club favourites. We also offer a 15% discount off any
otherwise non-discounted wines at checkout with
portfolio to ensure the wines we
point. As with many aspects of life, the more you put in, the
more you get out so it is no accident that the wineries we
voucher code DWDFFF. offer provide value for money,
select based on their taste and quality are usually those
who put an emphasis on soil health and working with
For more information and to take advantage
of this exclusive offer for ROSL members, visit
whatever the price point
sustainable and/or organic methods. davywine.co.uk/rosl
10 OVERSE AS JOURNAL M A R C H - M AY 2 0 2 1 W W W. R O S L .O R G .U K 11
WORLD WORLD
Can you tell me a bit about your musical shared the videos from the competition, have given
education? When did you first decide to take up my playing and the win an international audience.
violin as your instrument of choice? I got very badly ill and couldn’t play for a long
I started learning because of a wonderful cellist time, I was wheelchair bound. It was a difficult
called Liz Anderson who came to my nursery and time in my life but I got to the point where my
played for us. I was totally transfixed, asking her health had improved enough that I could play an
loads of questions afterwards. So, the next year, I hour most days, but not enough that I could start
started lessons with her in a group of seven of us, working again.
mixed string instruments. We sang, played games, The competition was something I had wanted to
played music together, so right from the start, it do for years but had never had the time while
was sociable and collaborative and fun. I loved freelancing, so I applied, continued with my hour a
going there. day and thought to myself ‘I’ll see what happens’. It
I never really thought about taking it particularly was amazing for me to have it to focus on and
seriously though. The mum of my closest friend at work towards, and to enjoy preparing for. It was a
the time was a professional musician and always strange way to come to it; a major win that came
said to us ‘don’t do music out of a real low point in my
professionally, keep it as a life, that I wouldn't have had
To the
hobby’. She didn’t want us the opportunity to enter
to lose the fun. So, it was otherwise. I would have
CORR
never really on my radar been too busy with the
but I loved doing it. daily grind.
When I was nine, I went
to Wells Cathedral School
and had a specialist music Did the long gap between
education from then on. We the section final and final of
would often play together in Despite a disrupted 2020 the AMC, and the fact it was
the evenings, improvise, make Annual Music Competition, held behind closed doors, help
up tunes. I spent my holidays or hinder your preparation
doing National Children’s violinist Eleanor Corr was able and performance?
Orchestra and then National to overcome the adversity to On the day, I absolutely loved
Youth Orchestra and I had take home the Gold Medal. playing at ROSL. It was such a
another incredible teacher at nice atmosphere; I think
Wells called Patricia Noall,
She tells Mark Brierley what everyone was just so happy to
who is an incredible musician winning first prize was like be there and have this
and a really wonderful, and how life has been as a opportunity to make music.
logical teacher, who met The panel were really warm
professional musician over
everyone on their level and and welcoming. There was
taught them differently the past 12 months such a good feeling as soon as
depending on their personalities. I walked into the room. And to get to hang
When I was 12, I learnt the Bruch Concerto and around and chat with the other competitors and
from that moment I was so in love with it and the panel was really a highlight of the
obsessed by it, I knew that it was music I wanted to year. Winning the AMC is a huge deal, it means so
do. When I was 17, I went to the Royal Academy of much to me. It’s amazing to have the support of the
Music and studied there with Clio Gould, for both organisation.
my undergrad and postgrad. In terms of preparation, the long gap wasn’t
that fun! I got to a place back in March 2020
during the Section Final where I thought ‘I’m
Has it sunk in? How does it feel to have won really happy with how I am playing, so I can just
the AMC? go on stage and enjoy myself ’. I think that’s
It has now. It was a bit of a shock at the time! It’s an probably made the difference in the end; being
incredible thing to say. To be able to have that at completely myself on stage and I think that
the top of my CV, it will open so many doors for connected with the judges. I wasn’t interested in
me. It makes people take notice. My win being just spending the long gap just staying home and
reported by The Strad and many other making each piece ‘winnable’. I actually changed
publications, who both published articles and my programme a week or two before the final.
12 OVERSE AS JOURNAL M A R C H - M AY 2 0 2 1
WORLD PEOPLE
Even though the Gold Medal Final was held
behind closed doors, you can watch all the
performances on the ROSL YouTube channel
Winning the AMC is a huge deal, it means so much to me.
It's amazing to have the support of the organisation
The great thing about the AMC is that its a in a concert than when you’re sitting alone in a you tend to do one day’s work at a time, so
free choice of repertoire, so I was able to practice room. So, I have tried to learn during you have to piece together lots of single jobs.
show what I really like to play and my the pandemic to treat recordings in the same Whereas over here, you tend to get a patch MY CIT Y
personality. way as live performances. of five or six days in a row, where you get the
Washington, DC
I would start my practice every day in the chance to settle in, get to know your
months leading up to the final by asking How has the past year been for you as a colleagues. It feels more familiar, as if you
myself ‘what do I feel like playing today?’ musician? Has the closure of venues made life were a full-time employee of an orchestra.
It could be something old or something new. as a professional difficult?
I was just enjoying playing the violin for the Yes. In terms of playing, it’s still enjoyable, How important is funding like the prize
sake of playing the violin and not necessarily but career-wise, it’s been really tough. There’s money from the AMC given current More than just the seat of American power, Washington is also host to
for the sake of preparing something for a been virtually nothing this year. I’ve now got circumstances? international organisations, incredible arts and culture, food, and more.
competition. Obviously, I was working on cancellations all the way through to June It’s absolutely incredible for us as musicians. Member Kathleen Mistry takes you through her highlights
my technique all the time, but I found that if 2021, which is quite tough. At least at this Having that financial backing opens up the
that was where I wanted it to be; everything point, I feel I can plan ahead with a little opportunity to say yes to things, and to
was there in the arms and in the mind, the more confidence. have the luxury of time for those things. Describe Washington in three words. As the Capitol of the United States, it is the hub of
music would follow. I’ve been lucky to some extent. In the last It becomes OK to take that recital that may Charming, cultural and international our government. It is easy to get caught up in the
two or three years, I’ve split my time half take tens of hours of work and practice, 24/7 life of politics. I think most of us are news
You also took part in our ROSL at Home and half between the UK and Norway. that means missing a week of other work How long have you lived in the area? junkies. I am happy to report that the restaurant
series. Have you done many other recorded Norway locked down a couple of weeks elsewhere. It’s key. We moved to Washington, DC in 1995. In 2000, scene has matured now offering many ethnic In just a couple
and livestreamed performances? How does it earlier than the UK and was out of the So much is moving online now, and our family moved to live the life of expatriates restaurants. I attribute this in part to the presence of hours' drive we can
differ from performing for a live audience? woods significantly earlier. By the time I increasingly you need high-quality videos, in Paris, France, for the next four years. It was a the embassies, World Bank, International Monetary be walking in the
It can be tough, actually. With livestreaming, was allowed to travel in July, I had a lot of so it can be expensive establishing yourself wonderful expérience. C’est un bon expérience Fund, and the International Finance Corporation. mountains
it’s the same as a concert in many ways. It’s projects that I should have been doing since as a musician. It’s important to have that et un bon souvenir! I believe everyone needs to Around 180 countries are represented at these in Shenandoah
happening now and that’s how it’s going to go. March, which all got bunched together. support. It makes it feels like the years move to a different country to appreciate their own various institutions. Weekend excursions are National Park;
You’ve only got one opportunity to get it right. So, I had quite a steady flow of work between of training were all worth it. country and their government. We moved back to a great way we decompress. In just a couple
touring many
You focus on working towards it and then on August and Christmas. It’s been nice because I’m hoping I can use a chunk of the prize Washington, DC in 2004 and we are still enjoying hours' drive we can be walking in the mountains
the night, whatever happens happens. I really there hasn’t really been anything in the UK, money for career development. Recording an Washington today. I must tell you that the native- in Shenandoah National Park; touring many historic military
love that; the spontaneity of music making. or only the very occasional thing. album is very tempting! I would also like to born Washingtonians are some of the most kind historic military sights, homes, battle grounds sights, homes,
Whereas with recording, there’s added Working conditions here in Norway are put some of it towards buying an instrument. and hospitable people you will ever meet. I hope and monuments; or relax at a beach overlooking battle grounds
pressure because you can do it as many times as very nice for violinists, it’s a very fun, very But aside from the finance, it’s the people you will be able to meet some during your visit. the bay or the Atlantic Ocean. and monuments
you like. You always find yourself asking ‘should relaxed environment. If I were go into an you meet and the connections you make as
I stop and try it again?’ You can let go a bit more orchestra as a freelance musician in the UK, well. They will last a lifetime.
14 OVERSE AS JOURNAL M A R C H - M AY 2 0 2 1 W W W. R O S L .O R G .U K 15
PEOPLE PEOPLE
Left: US Capitol Right: National Museum of the American Indian The National Mall stretches over two miles from What are the must-sees for first time visitors
the Lincoln Memorial on the west end to the US I would by a multiday pass for the On and Off Bus
Capitol on the east end. It is a great place for a stroll. tours. Ride the whole tour and get a feel for the
We have more than 160 monuments and memorials. city. Then go ride again and depart at stops and
The Washington Monument, Lincoln and Jefferson see only the sights that most interest you.
Memorials are very historic for our young country.
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, What is the best time of year to visit?
National Museum of African American History Late March to mid-April is a must see time for the
and Culture, National Geographic Museum, Union National Cherry Blossom Festival. There is a 'buzz'
Station for Metro and AMTRAK railroad which in the city. We commemorate the 1912 gift from
was saved from destruction and restored by the First Tokyo, Japan of 3,000 cherry trees to the City of
Lady Jackie Kennedy, US National Arboretum with Washington. Beginning in late April, May, and
the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, The George early June is a good time to visit our city. There
Washington University Museum and The Textile will be smaller crowds before mid-June. Congress
Museum, The Phillips Collection (modern art), will adjourn by the end of June. The schools will
Folger Shakespeare Library and the Martin Luther close for the summer and the tourist crowds will
King Monument are very interesting. increase until the beginning of September. August
One of my favorite places to visit after I have can resemble Summer in Mumbai being hot and
walked to the White House and taken photos is St. humid. Our Autumn season is lovely weather
John’s Episcopal Church, 1,525 H Street (at 16th) NW accompanied by the changing of the colours of the
near Lafayette Square. It is so small and charming. leaves on the trees. By the middle of September,
The first service was held in 1816. It is lovingly the city will once again have its 'buzz'. Congress A stroll through
referred to as 'The Church of the Presidents' (see will be back in session, offices will be busy, schools the charming
plaque outside). Most every president has worshipped will be in session, concerts, dance, and theatre Georgetown section
there. When a president retires from office a church performances will resume. During the Christmas
of Washington is
member needlepoints his name on a kneeling season, there are many decorations, receptions,
cushion. In 1902, the formal state funeral of British concerts, performances and other traditions to
always enjoyable.
Ambassador Lord Pauncefote was held at St. John’s. enjoy. It can be cold and/or rainy until March or There are shops
After visiting St. John’s, it is worth your time to walk April. Honestly, with Climate Change, I hesitate to and restaurants for
the few blocks to see the country of Oman, Sultan give any guidance for the weather. lunch or dinner
Qaboos Cultural Center at 1,100 16th Street, NW.
The Washington National Cathedral is a landmark for
The city has so many things to see, National Opera. Throughout the year, there KATHLEEN MISTRY worship. It is a beautiful cathedral definitely worth a
what are your highlights? are a variety of offerings for everyone’s taste. Mistry founded Mistry visit. It is a house of prayer for all people founded by
First, wear your walking shoes and forget the car! You are welcome to enjoy a coffee or meal before Advisors, LLC to our leaders. It is the venue for national level services for
We have Metro, buses and taxis for local your performance or simply take a tour of the provide clients bespoke great celebrations, and Presidential and other leaders’
transportation. Hail a taxi in The District. complex. Be sure and enjoy the view of the strategic Connector – funerals. It is an Episcopal church chartered in 1893.
Potomac River from the Terrace. Our newest business development All year long, there are services, concerts, and talks to
Smithsonian Institution building is the REACH building. This is a services using Cultural engage all of Washington. www.cathedral.org
We are fortunate to have the Smithsonian multipurpose centre for inclusion for all with Intelligence in The The Middle East Institute – MEI Art Gallery at 1763
Institution as a base for art, culture, history, studios, galleries, performance spaces, education, Emirates, the Gulf, N Street, NW. The gallery pays tribute to the experiences
science, and research. Through the generous art exhibits, lecture halls, and installations. India, Asia, and Europe. and reflections of artists from the Middle East.
bequest of the British scientist, James Smithson www.kennedy-center.org She thrives on bringing
The International Spy Museum is located near
diverse, multicultural
(1765-1829) the Smithsonian was established our small Chinatown. The museum will give
groups together for
as a trust in 1846. Today, it has 19 museums, The US Capitol and Visitor Center, you a glimpse into the world of espionage, spies,
successful collaboration.
the National Zoo, and nine research centres. Library of Congress, the National Mall and intelligence. Upon entry you will be issued
Mistry is very proud that
With great wisdom, Mr. Smithson decreed in and Monuments, and Private Museums your 'cover identity'. You can test your spy skills
all the firms’ clients are
his will that no entrance fees may be charged A tour of the Capitol is a very good introduction throughout your tour of the museum. See the
dedicated to helping
for any building. This was to ensure that all people to our government. The building is beautiful and the environment. Mistry various tools and disguises used historically to
had access to all the exhibitions and cultural the one-hour tour worthwhile. It is better to buy advocates on Capitol Hill present day. It is a great visit!
offerings to enrich their lives. www.si.edu your tickets online ahead of time. But you can go to Congress for a variety The Georgetown Waterfront has an assortment
in the morning and try to have a tour the same day. of Expatriate issues to of restaurants and tour boat excursions. After a long
The John F. Kennedy Center www.visitthecapitol.gov help her fellow Americans morning of the museums, enjoy a peaceful lunch
for Performing Arts The Library of Congress is the largest library living overseas. She is overlooking the Potomac River and then take a
This is our national cultural centre offering dance, in the world. The Library is the research arm of the a lifelong supporter ride on one of the boats. A stroll through the
theatre, ballet, opera, concerts, performing arts, US Congress and home of the US Copyright Office. of the arts, music, charming Georgetown section of Washington is
exhibits, and art education. It is home to both the Tours are smaller and very interesting. dance, and education. always enjoyable. There are shops and restaurants Left: Tidal Basin cherry trees
National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington www.loc.gov for lunch or dinner. Above: Lincoln Memorial
16 OVERSE AS JOURNAL M A R C H - M AY 2 0 2 1 W W W. R O S L .O R G .U K 17
WASTE
WORLD WORLD
ZER
In the UK alone, 4.5 million tonnes of edible food
is wasted by families every year, equivalent to £700 perspective, there are agreements in place
like the Courtauld Commitment 2025, an
remainder, confusion around the
terminology can mean throwing out good
per household. How can we get better at buying, ambitious voluntary commitment that seeks food with no good reason.
storing, using, and reusing our food? to reduce waste and make food production Approved Food, an online retailer that
more sustainable. The likes of Pizza Hut and
F
sells surplus and short-dated stock (food
Nestle have signed up, along with various that’s past or near its best before date), has
ood waste is a huge problem pay off. While it has become apparent that regional governments. been working hard to make this distinction
across the world. As well as people are becoming more ‘food smart’ However, since around 70% of all wasted clear. Since it was founded in 2009, it has
being expensive and a and are modifying their shopping and food comes from domestic settings, this diverted over four million tonnes of goods
questionable use of resources, food storage habits, there is more work is one area in which consumers that would otherwise have gone to waste,
it is a major contributor to to be done to ensure this continues in the themselves can make a real difference. passing savings onto the consumer.
climate change. According long term.” “From a household point of view, Although the stock changes every day, a
to a 2018 study, around 6% of total global The situation is similar elsewhere. there are various shopper with a keen eye for
greenhouse gas emissions come from food The Australian economy loses $20billion reasons why food is a bargain might pick up a
that never gets eaten. And DEFRA estimates in food waste each year, while Canadian needlessly thrown away,
People are packet of Nobby’s Nuts for
that if food waste were a country, it’d be the households squander C$17billion. including a lack of becoming more 25p (normally 69p), ten
third largest emitter after the US and China. Globally, between a third and a half of all knowledge about 'food smart' and packets of Hippeas chickpea
In the UK alone, households waste food is lost or wasted, with developing portions and how to are modifying puffs for £5 (normally £2.39
4.5 million tonnes of edible food every countries tending to lose more at the prepare it,” says their shopping and each), or a 20-pack of
year, according to the Waste and Resources production stage, and developed countries Needham. “Confusion
storage habits, but dishwasher tabs for £2.99
Action Programme (WRAP). That amounts losing more after the food has left the farm. over food labelling is (normally £8). The products
to £14billion worth of food waste, or £700 Clearly there are systemic changes that also a contributor. there is more work are sourced from retailers
per family – a significant dent in anyone’s need to happen if the UN is to reach its There is a huge to be done with stock to spare.
grocery bill. Factor in the retail supply targets. To cite just a few examples, difference between ‘use “Within the supply chain
chain and the hospitality sector, and the governments could set legally by’ and ‘best before’ – the former is itself, supermarkets still need to do more to
total rises to 6.4 million tonnes (or 9.5 binding targets for businesses; ban centred on food safety while the make surplus food available more widely,”
million tonnes, when you count the parts supermarkets from throwing latter is a guarantee of quality.” says Needham. “Approved Food has urged
of the food that can’t be eaten anyway). away unsold food; and ensure In actuality, food that’s past big retailers to allow more access to food
These figures, from 2018, are lower than that food waste is collected its ‘best before’ date is further up the supply chain – in other
they were in previous years. Households separately from the rest of perfectly safe to eat, so words, food that has been produced but has
wasted 26% less edible food, worth around the rubbish. (On the latter long as it looks and not yet been delivered to store, to enable
£4.8billion, than they did in 2007. However, point, food gives off smells OK. Surveys more of it to be available for redistribution.”
more progress is needed if the UK is to meet harmful gases like suggest that 83% This includes supermarket own-brand
the United Nations target of halving food methane when it rots. of consumers products that are edging a bit too close to
waste by 2030. Collected separately, now know their best before date, as well as products
“The latest figures from WRAP show that it can be turned this. But that require a change to the packaging
the tide is beginning to turn, albeit slowly,” into fertiliser.) for the design. Without the help of organisations
says Andy Needham, Managing Director of From an like Approved Food (as well as charities such
Approved Food. “The work that companies industry as FareShare and FoodCloud), these
such as Approved Food have put in to raise products might well end up in landfill.
awareness of the problem is beginning to However, confusing labels and surplus
18 OVERSE AS JOURNAL M A R C H - M AY 2 0 2 1 W W W. R O S L .O R G .U K 19I0
WORLD WORLD
FRIDGE THERMOMETER PAPER TOWELS
GLASS JAR OR VASE
TOOLS
Use a thermometer to make AIRTIGHT STORAGE Wrap leafy greens before BLENDER Store asparagus and fresh
sure your fridge is set to Extend the shelf life of placing in the fridge drawer Turn fruit and veggies
40 degrees Fahrenheit foods by using airtight herbs with their cut ends
TO KEEP
to absorb moisture on the turn into a quick
or below for longer bags and containers in water so they
smoothie last longer
food storage.
HANDY
in the Fight Against
Food Waste
The right tools make all the
difference in helping you
reduce food waste. The
Kroger Food Waste experts
recommend a few simple VEGETABLE BRUSH/PEELER ICE CUBE TRAYS FREEZER STORAGE BIN
Clean those vegetables and Extend food's life by freezing Keep a container in the freezer VIRTUAL SHOPPING LIST
items that can help you
eat the skins, or use a sharp portion-sized amounts of for meat bones, vegetable BAG CLIPS Before heading to the store,
cut down on unused food create your menu and load
peeler to lose as little sauce, herbs, baby food peels and produce ends. Keep items fresh longer
without drastically changing with bag clips your shopping list
of the good stuff or other ingredients Turn them into an
your cooking habits
as possible easy stock
Source: www.krogerstories.com
supermarket stock are only one part of the include using beetroot stalks and leaves Sustainable food isn’t just great for the had in the pantry. Hubbub, a UK environmental issues, it’s actually the What’s more, the figures on festive food
problem. For many households, wasting to make a dhal, incorporating broad bean planet, it’s more nutritious, more delicious, sustainability charity, says 57% of us value over-55s who are most likely to say they’ve waste remain truly galling. “Each year in
food simply comes down to poor meal leaves in a salad, or using pumpkin seeds and more joyful,” he says. food more than we did pre-Covid. reduced their food waste over the last year the UK, five million Christmas puddings,
planning, and not knowing what to do to make a dukkah. While this kind of approach may seem “Households have learned to love their – 81% agreed with that statement in one two million turkeys, and 74 million mince
with leftovers. “Another way to waste less is creativity,” daunting for the average household, there food during the various lockdowns – but survey. pies go to waste, not to mention huge
“Waste is a human-made invention,” he says. “Arancini is a traditional technique are suggestions that the pandemic may have more can still be done to prevent it being However, younger consumers may be quantities of vegetables, fruit, and snacks,”
points out Ollie Hunter, author of 30 Easy to use up left over risotto and transform it recalibrated people’s relationship with food. needlessly wasted,” says Needham. “Figures more likely to use apps like OLIO – a says Needham. “Obviously, this is totally
Ways to Join the Food Revolution and Join into something new and delicious. What (And that doesn’t just mean making your from WRAP showed that during the first sharing app that allows people to give away unacceptable where people are also relying
The Greener Revolution. “Nature doesn’t new and exciting dishes can you create?” own banana bread.) Locked down at home lockdown, people were throwing away less unwanted food and other household items on food banks and charities to put food on
waste, it turns energy into energy, and in A former Masterchef semi-finalist and much of the time, families have been food than they were before the coronavirus to their neighbours. the table.”
the same way we can cook with zero waste. current pub-owner (his pub, the making shopping lists, cooking more, pandemic, with a 34% reduction in the As for where consumers still have work Hunter believes the way forward is
Good menu planning and buying correctly Wheatsheaf, was voted the UK’s most and keeping a closer eye on the contents amount of bread, potatoes, chicken, and to do, the WRAP research uncovered gaps simple: we need to think about ourselves
makes a huge difference, and if you are sustainable by the Sustainable Restaurant of their fridge. milk ending up in the bin.” in people’s knowledge about food storage. as a collective, rather than as isolated
stuck then a freezer is a friendly storage Association), Hunter wants people to eat What’s more, confronted with empty It’s one of the few heartening statistics Almost half of those questioned thought individuals, and to act accordingly.
solution. The other great way to help us cut locally, organically, and seasonally. He shelves in the supermarkets, many of us to come out of the pandemic. And there’s apples would keep longer if they were “We have made huge positive steps
waste is using preservation techniques like points out that by adopting a zero-waste started to appreciate the value of what we reason to hope the trend will continue – unpacked at room temperature (they should forward not only in terms of awareness but
pickling, sugar, fermentation, or storing in policy, we should be able to save money once you’ve got a taste for proper meal- actually be kept in their original packaging also culturally,” says Hunter. “We are all
fat like butter or oil.” and therefore afford the organic produce. We need to think about planning, the habit is likely to stick. in the fridge) while 40% believed chicken part of this mammoth ecosystem, the
He recommends ‘eating root to fruit’, “This gives us more flavour with fewer This trend seems to be more pronounced breasts should be frozen on the day of planet, all connected, and every decision
which means finding ingenious ways to use ingredients, which is only heightened by ourselves as a collective, rather in older age groups. Despite millennials’ purchase (they can be frozen at any point we choose that makes a positive action,
the whole fruit or vegetable. This might sourcing food locally because it is fresh. than isolated individuals and Gen-Z’s much-vaunted interest in up to the ‘use by’ date). makes the world a better place.”
20 OVERSE AS JOURNAL M A R C H - M AY 2 0 2 1 W W W. R O S L .O R G .U K 21PEOPLE PEOPLE
G
ardening bloomed in For the first time in many people’s living was the first time they’d attempted to
2020. When coronavirus memory, their food security was produce their own food. But although
lockdowns were threatened, says Hutchings. “People had many people like the idea of self-
announced throughout always assumed they could just pop to the sufficiency, not everyone perseveres.
the world, many people shop and pick up whatever they wanted.” It’s easy to get discouraged when you first
turned to plants to break Coronavirus turned that idea on its head. start out, says ecologist Paul Manning
up the monotony of stay-at-home orders. But the current trend towards self- from Dalhousie’s faculty of agriculture.
Google search queries for “how to grow sufficiency is nothing new, says Andrea The most common mistakes he’s seen
vegetables” surged in April. While figures Gaynor, associate professor of history this year include exposing seedlings to
from the UK’s Office for National at the University of Western Australia. late frosts, neglecting weeding tasks and
Statistics in June showed that 42% of Brits Vegetable gardening often gains even failing to protect the crops with
took up gardening during the restrictions popularity in times of trouble. “Home fencing to deter wild deer. But anyone
– with many attempting to coax seedlings food production has increased during can become an expert eventually. “We all
into food for the very first time. economic crises, such as the great begin with a blank slate of knowledge,”
Lucy Hutchings from Suffolk UK depression of the late 1920s and 1930s he reveals. “And in our internet-
already had a head start. In 2018, the and the oil shocks of the 1970s,” she connected world, it’s easier than ever
former jewellery designer traded projects says. “This is partly due to specific to learn from individuals who are
with A-list celebrities, such as Kylie economic factors such as loss of practising food self-sufficiency. In my
Minogue and Rihanna, for soil, seeds, purchasing power or high food prices, experience, gardeners are gracious with
and spades. She can relate to the desire but also because people turn to home their time and expertise. I have learned
to connect with nature during a stressful food production a lot from casual
period. “When life threw me a curveball, because it helps them When life threw me conversations at the
I turned to gardening as a distraction. feel more in control community garden,
It turned out to make me really happy,” and less anxious.”
a curveball, I turned reading blog posts,
she reveals. After years of dabbling with Vegetable gardening to gardening as a attending workshops,
indoor herb gardens and ornamental house also thrived during distraction. It turned and listening to radio
plants, Hutchings retrained in horticulture, the first and second programmes.”
soon finding a flair for growing rare world wars. Many out to make me Starting from scratch
heirloom tomatoes and other colourful, nations such as the really happy can feel intimidating.
edible delights. She now provides US, UK, Canada, But learning to grow
inspiration to over 100,000 budding Australia, and Germany created doesn’t have to be prescriptive. Hutchings
gardeners on Instagram as SheGrowsVeg. initiatives to increase home food believes social media has galvanised
Growing your own food can have production as supplies became interest in vegetable gardening and
enormous mental health benefits believes increasingly threatened. In 1939, the encouraged a new audience to give it a try.
Hutchings. There is little more rewarding British Ministry of Agriculture created “Instagram’s a great place to learn for new
than nurturing plants that you can its ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign. It was growers who like a more flexible approach.
eventually put on your plate. Studies highly successful. UK allotments swelled You get to see where people have broken
back this up. Regular gardening has to 1.7 million over three years and five the rules and it’s worked.” Making
been shown to reduce depression, stress, million households learned to grow food mistakes is all part of the process. When
and anxiety and even combat high blood in their gardens. Digging vegetable plots Hutchings first started cultivating edible
pressure – all useful attributes during became associated with boosting morale, plants she says she “had no idea” what to
a global pandemic. A survey from and communities banded together to do – learning as she went along. Stay open-
Australia’s food network Sustain found feed and support each other. “In the minded and don’t be disheartened if things
that nearly 20% of people said they could second world war, the Australian don't work out at first, she suggests.
not have made it through the coronavirus Government was concerned that aspiring Admittedly, some people will find it
lockdown without their garden. home food producers wouldn't have easier to get going than others. Not only
sufficient knowledge to succeed, so they has the coronavirus crisis exposed health
Previously unloved gardens, Dig for victory published advertisements encouraging inequalities, it has also highlighted
yards and allotments have been An appetite for distraction isn’t the only experienced gardeners to help their unequal access to green spaces. One in
reason many people resolved to grow neighbours,” reveals Gaynor. eight households in the UK had no access
revitalised over the past year as more their own food during the restrictions. to a garden at all during lockdown. Lack
people have turned to growing their In the early weeks of the coronavirus Getting started of outdoor space needn’t be a dealbreaker
crisis, panic buying surged and global A Dalhousie University (Nova Scotia, though, says Hutchings, whose book of
own food. Natalie Healey finds out supply chains were upended. Few will Canada) survey found that about half of edible gardening projects Get Up and
how anyone can get started forget the barren supermarket shelves all respondents grew fruit or vegetables Grow will be released in April. Although
seen at the beginning of the pandemic. in 2020. And nearly a fifth of said it there are some obvious limitations, there
22 OVERSE AS JOURNAL M A R C H - M AY 2 0 2 1 W W W. R O S L .O R G .U K 23You can also read
