This Christmas, residents in Ealing can win £100 to spend in a local sustainable restaurant - like Charlotte's Place - or a hamper full of eco goodies, simply by sharing their best Christmas leftover tips.

We all know how much food we can end up wasting at Christmas – all those soggy sprouts and turkey trimmings we never get round to eating. In fact, it’s estimated that residents in West London will throw out a whopping 16,500 tonnes of perfectly edible food over the festive period costing each household around £50.

That’s why the West London Waste Authority has launched a fantastic competition for residents to swap their best recipes for making the most of their lovely leftovers. All you need to do is send in a recipe for either a starter, main meal or desert using at least two items of leftovers from your Christmas dinner. A panel of judges will then pick the tastiest recipe that uses leftovers most creatively.

The prize, which the winner can choose, is either a £100 voucher to spend in one of three local restaurants that are members of the Sustainable Restaurant Association*, or a hamper packed with foodie goodies including; weighing scales, storage containers, Good Food and Good Housekeeping cookbooks, bag clips, a fridge thermometer, measuring jug and spoons.

The closing date for entries is 23 January 2011. Send your recipe (with full instructions) to info@westlondonwaste.gov.uk or by post to Waste Minimisation Coordinator, WLWA, Mogden Works, Modgen Lane, Isleworth, Middlesex, TW7 7LP. Make sure you also include:

your name,
your address and contact details,
what you had for Christmas dinner, and
a photo of you with your leftovers meal (optional).

Visit www.westlondonwaste.gov.uk for competition terms and conditions or to find out more about reducing food waste this Christmas.

* Charlotte's Place
* Charlotte's Bistro
* Sam's Brasserie and Bar

December 08, 2010