May 2013
Peter Fowler MBE
Huge congratulations to Peter Fowler who was deservedly awarded
an MBE in this New Year’s Honours List for his services to the Food
and Catering Industries.
Peter, aka the Godfather of Fruit, took
his place alongside various Olympians
and Paralympians after over 50 years
in the fresh produce industry. Peter is
honourary president of the Covent
Garden Tenants’ Association.
Peter said: "I'm very humbled and proud
to receive this honour. There are several
people at the Market involved in
British wholesale who are equally as
deserving, and I hope there will be more
honours for the fresh produce industry
to follow in the coming years. My years
on the tenants association have been
very rewarding especially working
alongside such icons as Gary Marshall
(Chairman), Jason Tanner
(Vice Chairman) - in fact the whole
executive too numerous to name."
Gary Marshall, the current Chairman
of the CGTA said: “The award given
to Peter Fowler also known as The
5
Peter Fowler
MBE
Godfather of the Market, was a long
time overdue. Peter will always give his
time, honest opinion and advice to those
in need. Apart from being very respected
and extremely professional, he is and
has always been approachable.
Though he can come across, at times,
as a miserable b**tard. On a serious
note, as Chairman of CGTA it’s
been extremely helpful to have a
confidante such as Peter to stand by
my side. I wish his wife, Chrissie, and
family, Kelly, Damian & Lawrence, a
very healthy future.”
Edible Garnishes
Tutored Tasting
First Choice and
three of their
chefs enjoyed a
blooming tasty
breakfast in the
Orangery!
We never knew we could provoke
passionate discussion, debate and wild
imaginings by sitting three chefs in
front of a breakfast of edible
flowers for the SEEDS
Tutored Tasting
published in the 29
March issue of Caterer
& Hotelkeeper. Thanks
to Daniel Jerome of First
Choice who supplied fresh
blooms of borage,
lavender, marigold
and viola, all carefully
studied and flavourmatched by chefs Jamie
Welch (Marriot, Grosvenor
Sq), Gareth Bowen
(Marriott, County Hall) and
Adam Hilliard (Frederick’s).
Robert Read starts at Bevington Salads
Bevington Salads is very happy
to announce the signing of the
season, Mr Robert Read.
Robert has the support of the exclusive
brand, Exsa, supplying predominantly
grape and citrus year round from South
Africa, India and Brazil. He is also
In
well known for his excellent cherry
everyth
ing
he sells
, he’s business and, after a break of three
cweam
months from the Market, Robert is
fully charged and ready to go and is
as reasonable as ever.
If you’d like to be involved in a
forthcoming Tutored Tasting
call the SEEDS team on
020 7622 6746
Nine Elms, the greatest transformational story at the heart of the
world’s greatest city
Did you know that the redevelopment
of the Market is just one of many
transformational stories in the Nine
Elms area? More than 20 interconnected
development schemes are changing the
face of this riverside district.
The Nine Elms area will become an
ultra-modern, exciting destination in
Central London offering 16,000 new
homes, 25,000 new jobs, new schools,
parks, culture and the arts and we’re at
the heart of it!
The Garden at New Covent Garden Market
is one of the major three icons in the area,
along with the American Embassy and
Battersea Power Station. It is critical to
the wider development as a food and
Nine Elms Team: l-r Keith Trotter,
Eyvind Ryans, Joseph Baker, Helen Fisher
Planned developments in
Nine Elms - image based
on projections and is likely
to change
flower quarter supplying London, as well
as being one of the major employers in
the area.
Helen Fisher, the Programme Director
for Nine Elms, and her team are now
based in one of our offices in the Flower
Market. The five-strong Nine Elms
Delivery Team is tasked with
coordinating the regeneration of the
local area, including the plans to
redevelop New Covent Garden Market.
Nine Elms Programme Director Helen
Fisher explains more: “This part of
London has started an extraordinary
transformation. In the years ahead an
Blooming Babies
extra 30,000 people are expected to
move here and two new town centres
will take shape, one at Vauxhall and
another at Battersea Power Station. The
redevelopment of the market is central to
our plans and we hope to make Nine Elms
a new centre for London’s food industry.
Nine Elms on the South Bank is the
biggest investment programme in the
country and a tremendously exciting
project to be part of.”
You can sign up to receive news
updates about the project at
www.nineelmslondon.com/e-newsletter
Simon’s BAFTAS
We often think of flowers helping
to bring life into our homes, but
two of Dennis Edward’s customers
seem to go one step further and
help bring life into the world!
Well that’s what they
should be called by now!
For the 12th year running
Simon Lycett and his team
created stunning table decorations for the
BAFTAS for each nominated film. This
photo is from the Life of Pi.
Check out Anna and Emma who both work
as midwifes by day and florists by night.
Going Bananas in the Market
If you were near Premier Fruits on 27 March you may have
noticed people monkeying around, trying to cram as many
bananas as possible into their car.
No their truck had not
broken down - they
were from Toyota and
were responding to a
challenge to see how
many bananas
would fit in their
new car.
A total
4747
bananas
fro
47 boxe m
s
To see the challenge on film, search YouTube for Toyota Aygo bananas
Table decoration for Life of Pi by Simon Lycett
The BAFTA Nominated Films
according to the Flower Market:
Life of Peony • Zero Bark Dirty
Les Miserarbola • Argopanthus
Mister Lincoln Rose
Have you seen the new Kronenbourg
advert featuring Dennis Edwards, I
mean Eric Cantona. Or do I?
For traders who are Red Tractor accredited, it’s that time
of year to renew your accreditation. If you would like
any help at all, then please give SEEDS a call on
020 7622 6746 or email [email protected]
Dennis Edwards
and Eric Cantona.
Red Tractor Renewal
Spot the
difference?
Doppelganger
It’s hard to tell. One’s a smooth talking
ladies magnet and the other’s Eric
Cantona! What other doppelgangers
do we have on the Market?
Having Red Tractor accreditation means you
are able to provide your customers with an
independently verified guarantee that produce
has been farmed, processed and packed in
the UK. If you’re not already Red Tractor
accredited, and you would like to be, then
contact SEEDS and they can help you get
fully accredited.
Congratulations to
London Dairies
who have very recently achieved
their Red Tractor certificate.
London Dairies, based in units
A43/44 are now able to offer a
full supply chain of Red Tractor
accredited dairy products.
We think a celebratory White
Russian is in order!
Comment boxes...
You might have seen comment
boxes appear in the cafés
around the Market.
These are for all tenants, employees,
customer and suppliers to give any
feedback and comments you might
have about the plans for the new
market...
Floriculture Exhibition
at the
Inn the Market
Twenty chefs from top foodie
pubs in London and the South
East visited the Market one
Tuesday night.
They were treated to amazing
displays of top produce, providing
inspiration for menus and insight
into the supply of quality fruit and
veg. Our thanks to Neil Brown Herbs
& Westlands Wow!
Welcome to new
CGMA Chair - Pam Alexander
made a significant contribution to the
future redevelopment of the Market.
Pam Alexander has more than 35 years
experience working closely with boards
and governments on strategic policy and
delivery of housing, regeneration, business
support and economic development.
Opened by HRH The Duchess of
Cornwall, the Floriculture exhibition
at the Garden Museum explored
the inspiration of cut flowers to
painters, and to the art of floristry,
and their symbolism in rites of
passage such as marriage,
funerals and memory.
Hanging roses at the Floriculture
exhibition by Rebecca Louise Law.
Supported by Covent Garden Market
Authority, the exhibition was a chance to
see some stunning work as well as learn
about the history of both flowers and our
Flower Market.
Pam Alexander, OBE joined Covent
Garden Market Authority on Friday
1 February as its new Chair.
Her appointment follows the departure
of Baroness Brenda Dean of Thorntonle-Fylde on 31 January 2013, after almost
eight years of distinguished service as
Chair of CGMA. During this time Brenda
Pam said: "I am very excited to be joining
CGMA at such an important time for the
Market. The redevelopment will bring new
opportunities to the businesses here, to the
existing and new communities of Vauxhall
and Nine Elms and to the high quality food,
hospitality and tourism offer in London.
"I am already enjoying the challenge of
working with the CGMA and the tenants
to make the new market just as good as
it can be, to create new jobs and to
contribute both history and new vitality
to Nine Elms on the South Bank"
To learn more about Pam, visit www.newcoventgardenmarket.com
British Seasonal Chart
Hot off the press! SEEDS has published a
New Covent Garden Market seasonality wall
chart - a large A1 poster with all
the information you need on
which British produce is
available when!
Watch this space for how you can
get your hands on your own copy.
We launched the charts on 2 May, where the
SEEDS team went round the Market giving out
free samples to all Market traders.
For more information please contact SEEDS.
Email [email protected]
or call 020 7622 6746.
Obituaries:
Philip Marsh - The French Garden
Phil Marsh, aka Wing Commander,
passed away on Sunday 17 February.
Phil joined The French Garden in 1997
after being coerced by Grenville with
promises of wine and trips to
France. He soon became
the ‘Ambassador’ of the
company and enjoyed
many trips to France
being wined and dined
by the suppliers and
growers. His claim of
having a better job than
the MD fell on deaf ears, mainly because
Grenville was always in Australia.
"What brown envelopes?" he used to
cry when asked to pay for breakfast.
Grenville and Phil’s expenses for business
trips together in France were always
questioned by Iain Furness (The FD at the
time) as golf clubs were never missing
from the car in which they travelled.
Phil was instrumental in teaching the
MD the French language and was
soon convinced that he had a job for
life just doing that. His connection
with the company became so strong
that as the years passed and retiring
age came and went he made it clear that
if we dispensed with his services he
would still turn up for work.
He was responsible for raising The French
Garden's profile in France and helped it
become a company that enjoys supply
from all parts of the world. He will be
missed by the market workers, colleagues
and suppliers alike but, alas, not by
Duncan's café.
Ian Roberts - Arnott & Mason
“Ian Roberts started in
Covent Garden straight
from school at the
age of 16 (some 30
years ago).
He joined the team at
Arnott and Mason
28 years ago as a salesman.
His knowledge and experience in the
interior plant market was unparalleled.
Flash of the Month
The hungry months may be upon
us but Buyers Walk had our mouths
watering with abundant displays of
fresh produce.
We particularly liked this intricate
display at A E Booth which wins this
issue’s inaugural prize of ‘Flash of
the Month’.
Well done to Nick and the boys!
Twelve years ago he become my business
partner and shareholder and took over as
Managing Director of Arnott and Mason.
Condolences and tributes have flooded in
from all that knew him and the common
theme has been ‘a nicer man you could
not wish to meet’.
Kind, helpful, considerate, fair, a gentle
giant of a man. He sadly died of an aortic
aneurysm at the age of 46. He leaves his
wife Mandy and son Thomas.“
Written by Martin Panter of Arnott & Mason.
Alan Norris Bevington Salads
Alan ‘Big Al’ Norris
sadly passed away
at the age of 47.
Alan started his market
career as a buyer with his
uncle, Terry Dixon. Alan moved to salesman
at Henry & Lewis and then Garber’s
Produce. Alan left the Market for over 15
years. His return in 2012 was welcomed by
the Market community as Alan was always
the most likeable, smiling chap.
He will be sadly missed by Bevington
Salads. We cherished the time we spent
with him on the market.
Contact us:
For more information about any of
the articles in this issue, or if you
have news that you would like to
share please contact:
Alastair Owen on 020 7501 3490
or email [email protected]
© Covent Garden Market Authority. All Rights Reserved.
Covent House •New Covent Garden Market •London SW8 5NX
Tel: 020 7720 2211
Fax: 020 7622 5307
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.newcoventgardenmarket.com
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