The British Are Coming! The British Are Coming!

You might’ve seen the ads and promotions already, emblazoned across various pages of paper and screens of pixels all over town, announcing Central Market’s “Passport: United Kingdom” initiative?

The grocery-forward celebration of our John Bull neighbors that has nothing to do with, guh, Brexit or football thuggery and everything to do with dining well and enjoying life in these tumultuous times?

Here’s you a reminder, then. And if you’re learning about the event for the first time, then we’re glad to be doing you this favor, because favor it is: The news that Central Market is now stocking a stunning and diverse array of comestibles – cheeses, meats, fish, soups and pies, jellies and jams, clever confections, beverages alcoholic and otherwise – from the land that this country had to revolt against in order for the Fourth of July to happen, back in the day.

(Surely you remember that, right, patriot? The rockets’ red glare and all that bellicose rigmarole?)

Yes, the ever-welcoming Market recently sent its head honchos and a crack team of cheesemongers and sommeliers and biscuiteristas across the pond to wrangle up the tastiest items not generally available in this town – some of these delectables coming to America for the first time, no less, says CM general manager Paul Harty – and now they’re ready to share that goodness with the rest of us.

The official dates of this celebration, this transatlantic infusion of culinary excellence, are September 19 to October 2. That’s when you can go to Central Market and find a wealth of samples to try before you buy, a veritable phalanx of associates to answer your questions about what’s available, and special displays in section after section, all touting the terroir of noms aplenty from the British Isles. But also know that, the CM Cooking School? Has frontloaded its busy schedule with classes that’ll help you make the most of these new products.

(Well, new and possibly briefly stocked products – although we’re assured that, whatever items prove especially popular, efforts will be made to keep those items available at Central Market from here on out. Long may a partnership with the Wensleydale Creamery flourish, we say! Huzzah!)

And, okay, we won’t end this post until we mention the party. Because, hey – there’s a party. This Friday, (Sept. 21) from 5 to 7pm, there’s what they’re calling the Brilliant British Costume Party. It’s where you can dress up as your favorite Brit … and maybe win a flight to London! But no one’s a loser at this party, as there’ll be sparkling wine (O, Camel Valley! O, righteous Ridgeview!), there’ll be sausages and biscuits, there’ll be strawberries and chocolates, for everyone. They’ll even be serving the same ice cream that’s served at Buckingham Palace.

Right, then. We won’t say “Pip-pip!” or “Cheerio!” at this point, lest we disgruntle that dear Whittaker. We’ll just say that we’ll see you there at Central Market, among the newly Britished aisles of groceries worth grazing.