NEW Southampton restaurant Canute Caf was the latest stop-off on this year's Hampshire Ambassadors' visit programme, to learn about how local eateries can champion Hampshire-produced food and drink.

During the visit the Ambassadors were given a presentation about the restaurant and sampled some of the locally-sourced delicacies available. The restaurant, which also serves as a caf, bar and delicatessen, seats up to 190 people in a renovated Victorian building in Canute Road.

It uses traditional cooking methods - producing all food for the restaurant and the delicatessen in-house - and all meat and vegetables are sourced from producers practising sustainable farming.

Hampshire Fare, which represents and promotes Hampshire food, drink and crafts, has worked with Canute Caf over the last year to help it source local ingredients.

The restaurant is also holding a number of events to introduce people to local produce as part of the renowned Hampshire Food Festival.

Hampshire County Council's head of economic development, John Rees-Evans, said: "For many years the county council has supported local producers through initiatives like Hampshire Farmers' Markets and Hampshire Fare - and the fantastic variety of great quality food and drink produced on our doorsteps has never been so popular or so easily accessible.

"It's great to see an increasing number of businesses - like Canute Caf - championing local produce and introducing it to their customers."

n If you want to find out more about local food, the Hampshire Food Festival, between June 25 and July 10, is the perfect opportunity.

For more information visit www.hampshirefare.co.uk, or pick up a free colour programme from tourist information centres, Hampshire County Council information centres, museums, libraries or Hampshire Farmers' Markets or call 01962 845999.

For more information on Canute Caf visit www.canutecafe.com