Discussion with L'Escargot Bleu Restaurant and Wine Bar
L'Escargot Bleu: A Pasture for Life Approved Restaurant in Edinburgh
L'Escargot Bleu, a renowned restaurant in Edinburgh, has earned the distinction of becoming a Pasture for Life approved establishment. This accolade signifies a commitment to natural ingredients, ethical sourcing, and high-welfare farming practices.
At the heart of L'Escargot Bleu's philosophy is a dedication to using the most natural ingredients possible. This ethos is evident in their signature dish, the boeuf bourguignon, which is made with Pasture for Life certified beef. The dish, a customer favourite, is prepared using chuck and blade, and is cooked three times in a beef stock that has simmered for an impressive four days.
Fred Berkmiller, the chef at L'Escargot Bleu, is passionate about his relationship with farmers who are Pasture for Life certified. He believes that any farmer who is certified truly cares about their practices, and he values these personal relationships. To maintain these connections, Fred works directly with a butcher who sources Pasture for Life cattle on his behalf.
In addition to his work with cattle, Fred is also a gardener and tends to a 1,200 square metre garden. This commitment to growing his own produce further underscores his dedication to using natural, locally-sourced ingredients.
Customers at L'Escargot Bleu appreciate the restaurant's focus on provenance. They are interested in knowing where their food comes from and are keen to support establishments that can be fully transparent about the origin of their food. Becoming Pasture for Life approved is a natural step for Fred Berkmiller and his restaurant, as it allows them to provide customers with this transparency and a clear understanding of the origin of their food.
The benefits of becoming Pasture for Life approved are numerous. Restaurants can access certified, high-welfare, grass-fed and pasture-raised animal products, align with consumer demand for transparency and quality, and partner with trusted pasture-certified suppliers. These partnerships can enhance the restaurant’s brand identity and market positioning by emphasizing authenticity and ethical sourcing.
Moreover, the Pasture for Life certification often involves working closely with farms that prioritize ecological stewardship and community connection, fostering multigenerational farming sustainability. This commitment to regenerative farming practices contributes to environmental health through management-intensive grazing that improves soil carbon sequestration and biodiversity.
In conclusion, L'Escargot Bleu's Pasture for Life approval is a testament to the restaurant's dedication to natural ingredients, ethical sourcing, and high-welfare farming practices. By choosing to source from Pasture for Life certified suppliers, L'Escargot Bleu offers customers a culinary experience that is not only deeply flavourful and enjoyable but also aligns with their values of sustainability and transparency.
[1] Pasture for Life. (n.d.). What is Pasture for Life? Retrieved from https://www.pastureforlife.org/what-is-pasture-for-life/ [2] Pasture for Life. (n.d.). Benefits of Pasture for Life. Retrieved from https://www.pastureforlife.org/benefits-of-pasture-for-life/ [3] Pasture for Life. (n.d.). Meet Our Producers. Retrieved from https://www.pastureforlife.org/meet-our-producers/ [4] L'Escargot Bleu. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://www.lescargotbleu.co.uk/about-us/ [5] Soil Association. (n.d.). Pasture for Life. Retrieved from https://www.soilassociation.org/organic-farming/our-standards/pasture-for-life/
- The ethically sourced beef used in L'Escargot Bleu's signature dish, boeuf bourguignon, is certified by Pasture for Life, reflecting the restaurant's dedication to ethical meat and high-welfare farming practices.
- Fred Berkmiller, the chef at L'Escargot Bleu, values his personal relationships with Pasture for Life certified farmers and cherishes the ability to cook using natural, locally-sourced, food-and-drink ingredients from their pasture-raised animals.
- Apart from running the restaurant, Chef Berkmiller establishes a home-and-garden connection by tending to a 1,200 square metre garden, furthering his commitment to using natural ingredients in his cooking recipes and lifestyle.
