13 June 2009, 00:51 AM
  • Independents are encouraged to show their support for a new campaign by hosting a food event and urging their customers to do the same

The ‘Taste for Life’ initiative is organised by global charity, WaterAid, and backed by popular celebrities, Fern Britton and Joanna Lumley.

It asks food lovers and anyone involved in the industry to create an event in return for donations from the guests and customers who attend.

Designed as a fun way to simultaneously entertain and raise money for a good cause, the campaign will help the charity provide water and sanitation in some of the world’s poorest communities.

“Taste for Life is flexible: you can choose any event you like,” says Amber Woods, Taste for Life co-ordinator.

“You can also be a catalyst for a bigger change by growing the Taste for Life network. Why not encourage your guests to host their own event?” she adds.

Participants will receive a support pack when they register, with suggestions on how to get started.

“From a slap-up dinner party, to a relaxed picnic, or perhaps a Sunday roast or summer barbecue – it’s totally up to you,” explains Ms Woods.

As al fresco food plans start to gather momentum in the warmer weather, the charity wants quality food to help focus support for this cause.

“I hope people will feel inspired to join in with Taste for Life and celebrate great food while raising funds for this fantastic charity,” says Fern Britton.

“WaterAid projects save lives, so cook up a storm and help bring clean water and sanitation to those without it,” she adds.

To kick-start the campaign, independents and individuals are invited to promote their favourite recipes.

Ms Britton has set the precedent: garlic and rosemary lamb with anchovies and red wine gravy.

“I don’t know what I would do without roast lamb. The recipe is a richer variation of your basic Sunday lunch, but boy it’s good,” she says.

“The flavours of rosemary, garlic and red wine are perfect companions to the lamb, and the anchovies, though they may sound a bit odd, act as a tenderiser,” she adds.

The high-profile support of Joanna Lumley, widely popular for her public, pioneering efforts for equal rights, reinforces the cachet of the campaign.

“We’re so thrilled to have Fern and Joanna’s support for such an amazing cause,” says Ms Woods.

Across the world, one in eight people live without access to clean water, 2.5 billion have nowhere safe to go to the toilet and over 4,000 children die needlessly every day.

For further details on holding an event at your shop visit: www.wateraid.org/tasteforlife