Chris Harris, who is starring as Dame extraordinaire Sarah the Cook in the Theatre Royal Bath’s pantomime Dick Whittington is helping to remind residents how to save money by cutting down how much food they throw away this Christmas.
Every month in the UK the average family throws away £50 worth of food which could have been eaten – the amount during Christmas almost certainly increases. The Council’s Waste Services Team have spoken to around 5,000 residents at roadshows over the year advising on how to reduce the amount of food they throw away through various tips and recipe cards for leftovers. Now, Bath’s pantomime Dame is backing-up that message with important words of advice.
Chris Harris, who plays Sarah the Cook, in Dick Whittington until 22nd January, said, “Being a generous cook Dame Sarah finds it hard to work out how much food to cook for extra visitors at Christmas, and it’s a common problem at this time of year. But help is at hand with the online Christmas dinner portion planner at the Love Food Hate Waste website. Why not give it a try?
“There are also lots of great recipes on the website for using up leftovers and storing your food to last longer. Sarah the Cook will tell you that a turkey doesn’t have to be just for Christmas! Carve it all up on Christmas day and freeze any leftovers to use for curries, stir fries, pies or stroganoff. And keep fruit, except bananas, in the fridge to help it last longer. Waste not want not, you know it makes sense.“
There are all sorts of recipes, hints, tips, and advice on the Love Food Hate Waste website – http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com
Councillor David Dixon (Lib-Dem, Oldfield), Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, added,
“Sending food waste to landfill is costly to the local taxpayer and contributes to climate change as rotting food gives off methane.
“Our message is simple. Firstly, try and reduce or re-use the food you buy so that you cut down your leftovers. Secondly, if you have any food waste, including bones, then use Bath & North East Somerset Council’s food waste recycling service and join the 60 per cent of households that already take part.“
Our top five tips to Love Food and Hate Waste:
Make best use of your freezer this Christmas
1. Freeze leftover cheese – grate hard cheese first and use for savoury toppings.
Stilton freezes well without grating.
2. Leftover cream can be frozen, but whip it first.
3. Cut a loaf of bread in half and freeze half immediately after buying.
4. Freeze spare milk in plastic bottles.
5. Keep an eye on ‘Use by’ dates in the fridge and freeze any foods you can’t eat in time.
For full information on collections and advice on reducing all waste at Christmas visit http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/wasteservices
Chris Harris stars as Sarah the Cook in the pantomime Dick Whittington alongside Naomi Wilkinson, Mark Moraghan and Jon Monie, at the Theatre Royal Bath until 22nd January, sponsored by the Bath Chronicle.
For more information on the pantomime Dick Whittington visit http://www.theatreroyal.org.uk or call the Box Office on 01225 448844.
