British hospitality 'attractive to visitors'

19/02/2008 11:36:06

Visitors to the UK are keen to enjoy a taste of Britain's food and drink culture during their stay as Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay continue to show what the country has to offer, according to new research.

VisitBritain questioned 26,000 people in 26 countries across the world about what they would like to do while on a visit to the UK and found that while many are still excited about seeing famous sites such as Buckingham Palace, food and drink is also playing an important role.

Sampling a traditional British fry-up and visiting a local pub are on the wish lists of a number of tourists but many also admitted to being fans of tempestuous chef Gordon Ramsay and his kitchen rival Jamie Oliver, both of whom operate a number of restaurants.

Elliot Frisby, the corporate PR manager of VisitBritain, said that attractions such as Buckingham Palace are no longer "the be all and end all of a visit to Britain".

"It's more about the experience - going to a local pub and seeing what British culture is all about."

Fans of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver need not confine themselves to London in order to sample his cuisine, with Fifteen - which provides restaurant work opportunities for disadvantaged young people - also operating in Watergate Bay, Cornwall.

Restaurant jobs in Cornwall

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