What do the hit BBC2 cookery programme Ready Steady Cook and carrots from Nottinghamshire have in common? At first glance, you might think of a recipe for carrot soup, but that wouldn't be it. On Friday 18 November, carrots supplied by Notts grower Max Howard will participate in a world record carrot chopping attempt for Children in Need.
Chopping in aid of the BBC's annual charity fund-raiser, TV chefs Brian Turner and James Martin will try to slice through a mountain of fresh British carrots donated by Bilsthorpe, Nottinghamshire-based vegetable co-op Freshgro. In attendance will be officials from the Guinness World Records Team who will monitor the great carrot chop.
Max Howard, a director of Freshgro, took the carrots personally to the BBC studios in London for the pre-recorded show: "We were asked to supply the carrots and it seemed a great idea. They're just some of the 70,000 tonnes we grow every year, supplying about ten per cent of the carrots we consume in this country.
"But don't ask me whether the record was set - you'll have to tune in on Friday 18 November at 4.30pm to find out whether our carrots achieved the world record or not," warns Max.
The charity event was staged in front of the show's invited audience earlier in the autumn. NFU President Tim Bennett joined Max Howard to watch the programme and to present host Ainsley Harriott with a £1,000 carrot-shaped cheque from the NFU for Children in Need.
Mr Bennett said: "Ready Steady Cook is a big supporter of British produce and the NFU was more than happy to help them out with their successful world record attempt. And I am sure our donation will be put to good use helping underprivileged children."
