Archived press release

TV chef Ross Burden gets cooking for the climate

26 April 2006

Ready Steady Cook star Ross Burden will be turning up the heat for action on climate change when he gets in the kitchen for Friends of the Earth's The Big Ask Live.

The New Zealand-born chef will be providing catering for VIP guests at the exclusive event at London's Koko Club on Monday 1 May, where Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead will be topping the bill. The gig is one of a series of events taking place for The Big Ask campaign, calling on the UK Government to take action to combat climate change [1].

Ross will be serving a feast of local food for the guests, making sure food miles are kept to a minimum [2].

Speaking before the event, Ross Burden said:

"I am delighted to be able to get involved with The Big Ask Live. Sourcing good local produce for my kitchen has always been a priority - it tastes great and it is better for the environment."

Friends of the Earth Executive Director Tony Juniper said:

"Friends of the Earth is delighted that Ross Burden is backing the Big Ask Live. Climate change poses a serious threatto people and the environment. We need to urgently reduce our emissions of carbon dioxide and The Big Ask campaign is about getting this message across."

To encourage people to do their bit at home to help the climate, Ross has joined up with Friends of the Earth to produce a list of top tips.

Ross Burden's Top Tips for you to help in your Kitchen:

• Buy food that has been grown, reared or produced locally and cut down on unnecessary food miles.
• Try out your local farmers' market and discover what is being produced close to home.
• Use your local shops for fresh fruit and veg, bread and other meat.
• Save energy (and money) by only boiling the water you need in your kettle - boiling a kettle for 12 minutes a day for a year emits over 60kg of carbon dioxide (one of the main greenhouse gases responsible for climate change).
• Opt for energy efficient appliances when replacing dishwashers and washing machine
• Defrost the freezer regularly - it will be more efficient.
• Avoid leaving the fridge door open - it takes energy to keep it cold.
• Compost your fruit and veg waste.
• Recycle empty bottles and tins.
• Contact your MP and ask him to back Friends of the Earth's the Big Ask campaign - we can all take action at home, but the Government needs to act too.

Notes

[1] See www.thebigask.com

[2] Ross's recipes for the climate will be available from Friends of the Earth

[3] For more tips on saving energy in the home, see www.foe.co.uk/living

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust