W:
www.universitybusiness.co.uk/news/catering
the ratio between carbon and nitrogen (which are all directly related to the amount and quality of organic mat er in the soil) as well as soil bulk density, an indicator of soil compaction. Compared with local arable fi elds, the
allotment soil was found to be signifi cantly healthier. Allotment soil had 32% more organic carbon, 36% higher carbon to nitrogen ratios, 25% higher nitrogen and was signifi cantly less compacted. Dr. Edmondson said: “We found
Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, has found that soils under Britain’s allotments are signifi cantly healthier than soils that have been intensively farmed. Conducted in Leicester, ecologist Dr.
Edmondson took soil samples from 27 plots on 15 allotment sites from across the city. She also sampled soils from local parks, gardens and surrounding agricultural land. The samples were used to measure a
range of soil properties, including soil organic carbon levels, total nitrogen, and
remarkable diff erences in soil quality between allotments and arable fi elds. Our study shows how eff ectively own-growers manage soils, and it demonstrates how much modern agricultural practices damage soils.” As well as being good news for
urban soils, the results underline the value of allotments. Dr. Edmondson added: “An estimated
800 million city dwellers across the world participate in urban food
“An estimated 800 million city dwellers across the world participate in urban food production”
production, which makes a vital contribution to food security. Our results suggest that in order to protect our soils, planning and policy making should promote urban own-growing rather than further intensifi cation of conventional agriculture as a more sustainable way of meeting increasing food demand.” There are around 330,000 allotment
plots in the UK, covering more than 8,000 hectares, and demand is growing, with more than 90,000 people currently on allotment waiting lists in the UK. As well as protecting soils and
boosting food security, own growing off ers other health benefi ts, says Dr. Edmondson: “Using urban land, including domestic gardens, allotments and community gardens for own-growing is an important and often overlooked way of increasing productivity whilst also reconnecting urban dwellers with food production.” The study 'Urban cultivation in
allotments maintains soil qualities adversely aff ected by conventional agriculture' has been published in the Journal of Applied Ecology.
Finalists picked for UK Young Restaurant Team of the Year
The fi nalists for ‘UK Young Restaurant Team of the Year 2014’ have now been announced. The fi nalists, selected
by Andrew Bennet MBE, Chair of Judges, are the City of Liverpool College, City College Norwich, Sheffi eld City College, SRUC Elmwood and Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf and Spa. The fi nal will take place
at the annual Skills for Chefs and Skills for Service Conference to be held in Sheffi eld in July. The teams will need
to create a three-course meal, plus a reception drink, accompanying wines and fi nish the meal with a hot beverage. David McKown, Director
of the Skills Conferences, commented: "The meal must be infl uenced by eastern
Mediterranean cuisine, as the teams are competing for an amazing prize of a trip to Istanbul hosted by MSA, The Culinary Arts Academy of Istanbul." Each team must use a set
of compulsory ingredients including seafi sh, lamb, Callebaut chocolate, essential cuisine, Maldon Salt and also use table waters from Wenlock Spring. The winning team will be
announced at a Gala Awards Dinner held at The University of Sheffi eld on 10 July with the trophy presented by The Master Chefs of Great Britain, one of the key sponsors. The Skills for Chefs and
Skills for Service Conference, hosts of the competition, will showcase the talents of leading chefs and food service professionals from around the world.
For more information visit
www.skillsforchefs.co.uk
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