Latest news with #JoeFurber
Globe and Mail
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Globe and Mail
At Wimbledon, the strawberries and cream deliver
One does one's best always to avoid cliches, but some are unavoidable. I've been to Wimbledon a half-dozen times. I haven't bought the famous towel. I haven't had someone take my picture in front of the Fred Perry statue. I don't wear a Panama hat. And I've never had strawberries and cream. 'Never?' says the lovely woman who runs PR for the food and beverage end of the tournament. Never. 'You're joking?' I am not. 'Well, we can get you some.' We're standing in front of the Strawberries and Cream kiosk, where at noon, the line is expanding exponentially. It's like it's growing people. We're waiting on Joe Furber, Wimbledon's food and drink operations manager. As he rolls up, she turns to him. Players wonder if Wimbledon's tennis balls are a factor in upsets 'He's never had the strawberries.' 'Really?' says Furber. Really. 'I can go back there and get you some right now,' he says. He does so in a tone that suggests I am not appreciating the level of strawberry emergency we're all in right now. No, I'll line up with the rest of the plebs (most of whom look like they could buy and sell me). In the course of a life on the edges of sport, you will eat many things, most of them terrible. At the Sochi Olympics, they served a 'hot dog' that was the only inedible example of sausage I've ever had, wrapped in a mysterious glutinous material so thin that it wasn't a crepe. I'm not sure what it was, but it was the only thing you could get at whatever event I was stuck at that day. It was horrendous. I had the borscht once, and it was so greasy you could've undercoated your car engine with it. After that, I gave in and started going to the one McDonald's they had on the grounds. It was the only place you could get a salad. It was rammed day and night. Still, some regional specialties demand trying. I've had bratwurst at the World Cup in Germany (overrated), biltong at the one in South Africa (dangerously addictive) and an egg sandwich at Lawson's during the Tokyo Olympics (transportive). On a list of iconic foodstuffs, I'd put pimento cheese at the Masters and Nathan's Famous hot dogs at a Yankees game on top. At the media spread in Augusta, they keep a fridge topped up all day with the tournament's signature sandwich. Hundreds of them. Dainty little things. They're free. Only shame prevents you from standing there eating two or three at a time. Still, I would never make one at home. It's a Masters thing. In the old Yankee Stadium, they had a hot dog stand inside the press box. The hot dogs were free, but should you choose not to tip the servers, light would begin to bend around your body in such a way that you became invisible. Those were the best hot dogs I've ever had. So much snap on the exterior, so much salty umami in the interior. A perfect hot dog, every time. How often do you have anything that's perfect? Aside from a mint julep at the Kentucky Derby, I believe strawberries and cream are the only sports food icon that eludes me. They raised the prices on them this year, which is what got me thinking of them. The Mirror described the increase as 'staggering.' They've gone up to £2.70 from £2.50. That's a difference of 37 cents. Tax included. These are some serious strawberries. They are all grown on a single farm 50 km from the All England Club. They begin harvesting them on the first day tournament. They will be in season for a few weeks, but they are at their best during the two weeks of the tennis. The strawberries you're served were picked that morning, beginning at sunrise, and start showing up on the grounds at 9 a.m. They open the kiosk at the same time as the gates, an hour later. Whatever isn't used that day is turned into a house jam. I waited 18 minutes to be served -- something I would not normally do. One of my rules for life is that the only things I (grudgingly) line up for are airport security and the checkout at Costco. The strawberries come in one of those cardboard boxes I associate with New Yorkers eating takeout Chinese in the movies. Your cream options are the real thing or a 'plant-based alternative,' which sounds ghastly. The spoons are somehow of made of seaweed, but not edible (I tried). You get exactly 10 strawberries of average size. The cream is unsweetened, thankfully. They pour it in front of you with flourish, like a dairy sommelier. How are they? I like strawberries the way we would all like a life partner -- tender, with a nice balance between sweet and tart. No point in playing it cool -- Wimbledon strawberries are bananas. They are the bee's knees. I went out later and bought a pint of a less refined variety at Tesco to prove to myself the difference, and it was vast. It's human nature to remember great food better than anything but than the most remarkable events. This must be some caveman remnant. You remember the way to the place where the berries were least poisonous. A food memory is inextricable from place and company. When your time is up and you run through a rack of flashbacks of your life, I would bet more than a few of them will be meals you had with the people you love. No one I loved was there just inside Gate 4, if you don't count the Australian film crew badgering people about how much they liked the strawberries. But having been set up so well by history, I won't forget them. One of the nice little things about Wimbledon is that they let you bring in your own food, but they really want you to try the strawberries. For a very reasonable price, they are offering you the chance to manufacture a memory. 'You're very welcome to bring your own,' said Furber, the food manager. 'But I guarantee you that ours are better.'
Time of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Wimbledon's love affair with strawberries & cream since 1877
Strawberries and cream have been an integral part of Wimbledon tradition since the tournament's inception in 1877. What began as a simple seasonal refreshment has become an iconic part of the tennis experience, symbolizing the charm and elegance of the All England Club . Served fresh and in generous portions with a dollop of fresh cream, the treat is enjoyed by thousands of fans each year, especially under the summer sun. More than just a delicious treat, strawberries at Wimbledon carry rich symbolic meaning. They represent the arrival of British summer and serve as a tribute to the tournament's deep-rooted heritage. The tradition of enjoying strawberries and cream courtside has evolved into a beloved ritual, offering fans and even stars present at Royal Box a unique experience that captures the essence of Wimbledon. — StarSportsIndia (@StarSportsIndia) Live Events Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and the only Grand Slam, third out of four, still played on outdoor grass courts - the sport's original surface. The Malling Centenary strawberry has reigned supreme at Wimbledon since 2016, becoming a staple of the tournament's summer charm. Celebrated for its exceptional sweetness, distinctive heart-shaped size, and superior flavor, this particular variety has become the berry of choice at the All England Club. Reuters People queue to buy strawberries and cream at Wimbledon. (REUTERS/Toby Melville) According to Joe Furber , Wimbledon's Food and Drink Operations Manager, the Malling Centenary strawberry perfectly complements the event's rich traditions. Furber anticipates that approximately 2.5 million strawberries will be enjoyed during the Wimbledon fortnight, accompanied by around 13,000 litres of cream. It's a tradition as timeless as the tournament itself - fans at Wimbledon are expected to enjoy around 2.5 million strawberries and 13,000 litres of cream over the fortnight. That's 5,000 tonnes of sweet, juicy summer fruit helping to create one of sport's most cherished rituals.
Asharq Al-Awsat
4 days ago
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Wimbledon's Strawberry Champion Faces Rivals for Its Crown
It may be the top seed at Wimbledon but even the reigning king of strawberries knows the crown sits lightly. The Malling Centenary berry has reigned supreme since being introduced at The Championships in 2016, sweetening summer rituals and picnics alike at the All England Club. Yet in the fields and labs, a new crop of challengers is ripening. In the high-stakes world of soft fruit supremacy, flavor, firmness and fame are all up for grabs. The Malling Centenary variety is known for its sweetness, "heart-shaped" size, and quality of taste, according to Joe Furber, Food and Drinks Operations Manager at Wimbledon. Weeks of sunshine and a "bumper crop" in the UK have helped produce an excess of strawberries, meaning Furber expects around 2.5 million of them, or 5,000 tons, alongside 13,000 liters of cream to be consumed during the Wimbledon fortnight. This year, a portion of 10 Malling Centenary strawberries with cream costs two pounds and seventy pence ($3.70) after the first price increase (20 pence) since 2010. The strawberries are grown in polytunnels by Hugh Lowe Farms, a family-owned business in Kent, just 31 miles from the All England Club, picked and delivered each morning at 8:30am. "Their best time aligns perfectly with the championships, which is quite fortuitous, which is a big part of why they were chosen," Furber said. But like every champion, it cannot afford to rest on its laurels as contenders lurk to seize the strawberry crown. The Summer Berry Company, based at Groves Farm near Chichester, told Reuters the variety landscape is becoming increasingly competitive and that it has reduced its production of Malling Centenary over the years. "I love Malling Centenary, I'm in no way saying it's a bad variety. I'm just saying that there's a new generation of varieties we're bringing to the market," Commercial Director Jack Darnes said. Summer Berry, which uses robotics and artificial intelligence technology to help with the harvesting process, grows varieties including Fandango, Karima and Florice, which Darnes said are larger and sweeter. "With Malling Centenary three or four days later they're still okay, with the new varieties you can survive even longer - six to seven days. So it's reducing waste, it's a better product for the end consumer," he said. "We hope one day there's going to be a new summer berry variety that people at Wimbledon are going to be consuming even better than Malling Centenary," he added. Malling Centenary does not suffer the same fate as its predecessor, the Elsanta Variety, which, according to Darnes, is no longer produced in the UK. The UK produces 120,000 tons of strawberries each year, generating retail sales of up to 700 million pounds, said Darnes. The global market is estimated at about 10,000,000 tons, with a value of $20 billion, according to German agriculture company Bayer.
CNA
4 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Wimbledon's strawberry champion faces rivals for its crown
LONDON :It may be the top seed at Wimbledon but even the reigning king of strawberries knows the crown sits lightly. The Malling Centenary berry has reigned supreme since being introduced at The Championships in 2016, sweetening summer rituals and picnics alike at the All England Club. Yet in the fields and labs, a new crop of challengers is ripening. In the high-stakes world of soft fruit supremacy, flavour, firmness and fame are all up for grabs. The Malling Centenary variety is known for its sweetness, 'heart-shaped' size, and quality of taste, according to Joe Furber, Food and Drinks Operations Manager at Wimbledon. Weeks of sunshine and a "bumper crop" in the UK have helped produce an excess of strawberries, meaning Furber expects around 2.5 million of them, or 5,000 tonnes, alongside 13,000 litres of cream to be consumed during the Wimbledon fortnight. This year, a portion of 10 Malling Centenary strawberries with cream costs two pounds and seventy pence ($3.70) after the first price increase (20 pence) since 2010. The strawberries are grown in polytunnels by Hugh Lowe Farms, a family-owned business in Kent, just 31 miles from the All England Club, picked and delivered each morning at 8:30am. 'Their best time aligns perfectly with the championships, which is quite fortuitous, which is a big part of why they were chosen,' Furber said. But like every champion, it cannot afford to rest on its laurels as contenders lurk to seize the strawberry crown. The Summer Berry Company, based at Groves Farm near Chichester, told Reuters the variety landscape is becoming increasingly competitive and that it has reduced its production of Malling Centenary over the years. 'I love Malling Centenary, I'm in no way saying it's a bad variety. I'm just saying that there's a new generation of varieties we're bringing to the market,' Commercial Director Jack Darnes said. Summer Berry, which uses robotics and artificial intelligence technology to help with the harvesting process, grows varieties including Fandango, Karima and Florice, which Darnes said are larger and sweeter. 'With Malling Centenary three or four days later they're still okay, with the new varieties you can survive even longer - six to seven days. So it's reducing waste, it's a better product for the end consumer,' he said. 'We hope one day there's going to be a new summer berry variety that people at Wimbledon are going to be consuming even better than Malling Centenary,' he added. Malling Centenary does not suffer the same fate as its predecessor, the Elsanta Variety, which, according to Darnes, is no longer produced in the UK. The UK produces 120,000 tonnes of strawberries each year, generating retail sales of up to 700 million pounds, said Darnes. The global market is estimated at about 10,000,000 tonnes, with a value of $20 billion, according to German agriculture company Bayer. ($1 = 0.7289 pounds)
Reuters
4 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Wimbledon's strawberry champion faces rivals for its crown
LONDON, June 30 (Reuters) - It may be the top seed at Wimbledon but even the reigning king of strawberries knows the crown sits lightly. The Malling Centenary berry has reigned supreme since being introduced at The Championships in 2016, sweetening summer rituals and picnics alike at the All England Club. Yet in the fields and labs, a new crop of challengers is ripening. In the high-stakes world of soft fruit supremacy, flavour, firmness and fame are all up for grabs. The Malling Centenary variety is known for its sweetness, 'heart-shaped' size, and quality of taste, according to Joe Furber, Food and Drinks Operations Manager at Wimbledon. Weeks of sunshine and a "bumper crop" in the UK have helped produce an excess of strawberries, meaning Furber expects around 2.5 million of them, or 5,000 tonnes, alongside 13,000 litres of cream to be consumed during the Wimbledon fortnight. This year, a portion of 10 Malling Centenary strawberries with cream costs two pounds and seventy pence ($3.70) after the first price increase (20 pence) since 2010. The strawberries are grown in polytunnels by Hugh Lowe Farms, a family-owned business in Kent, just 31 miles from the All England Club, picked and delivered each morning at 8:30am. 'Their best time aligns perfectly with the championships, which is quite fortuitous, which is a big part of why they were chosen,' Furber said. But like every champion, it cannot afford to rest on its laurels as contenders lurk to seize the strawberry crown. The Summer Berry Company, based at Groves Farm near Chichester, told Reuters the variety landscape is becoming increasingly competitive and that it has reduced its production of Malling Centenary over the years. 'I love Malling Centenary, I'm in no way saying it's a bad variety. I'm just saying that there's a new generation of varieties we're bringing to the market,' Commercial Director Jack Darnes said. Summer Berry, which uses robotics and artificial intelligence technology to help with the harvesting process, grows varieties including Fandango, Karima and Florice, which Darnes said are larger and sweeter. 'With Malling Centenary three or four days later they're still okay, with the new varieties you can survive even longer - six to seven days. So it's reducing waste, it's a better product for the end consumer,' he said. 'We hope one day there's going to be a new summer berry variety that people at Wimbledon are going to be consuming even better than Malling Centenary,' he added. Malling Centenary does not suffer the same fate as its predecessor, the Elsanta Variety, which, according to Darnes, is no longer produced in the UK. The UK produces 120,000 tonnes of strawberries each year, generating retail sales of up to 700 million pounds, said Darnes. The global market is estimated at about 10,000,000 tonnes, with a value of $20 billion, according to German agriculture company Bayer. ($1 = 0.7289 pounds)
