To celebrate its pest control heritage and over 85 years’ experience of providing professional pest control services, Rentokil is to unveil the world’s first ‘Pop-Up Pestaurant’ at One New Change in the City of London.
Exotic cuisine
For Thursday 15 August only, Rentokil will be serving up an array of exotic cuisine, including sweet chilli pigeon burgers and a range of edible insects such as Salted Weaver Ants, BBQ Mole Crickets and Chocolate-dipped Worms.
Food at the Pestaurant will be free to all, and a number of Rentokil experts will be on-hand to discuss the food being served, answer any pest-related questions from members of the public and pass on their ‘top tips’ for avoiding pest problems.
Edible insects
Edible insects have recently been identified by a number of different bodies, including the UN’s Food & Agriculture Organisation, as a potentially valuable source of food for the world’s rapidly growing population. Many insects are rich in protein, zinc, calcium and iron whilst also being low in fat. They also have a high ‘feed conversion rate’, meaning that they can be farmed using relatively little land, water and energy compared to livestock.
Pigeons meanwhile, despite being a nuisance for many city-dwellers, are a well-recognised delicacy and Wood Pigeon can be found on Michelin-starred menus across the world.
Keeping up the heat on Britain’s pests
David Cross, Head of Technical Training Academy at Rentokil, comments: “The Pestaurant is all about celebrating the hard work that goes into keeping the UK’s pests under control. Common UK pests like wasps, mice, rats, bed bugs, cockroaches, fleas and pigeons, can become problem for anyone, and can affect both commercial and residential properties. Much like the rest of us, they are focused on looking for food and shelter. Once they find a good supply of food and an environment where they feel safe, then they will happily set-up home indefinitely. The Pestaurant is here to raise awareness of common pest issues and demonstrates our commitment to keeping up the heat on Britain’s pests.”
Rentokil’s Pop-Up Pestaurant will be open from 10.30 am on Thursday 15th August at One New Change, London, EC4M 9AF.
Five Foodie Facts about edible insects:
- According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, over 2 billion people worldwide already supplement their diet with insects
- 100g of crickets contains just 121 calories, compared to 288 calories in the same amount of beef
- Common house crickets contain four times as much protein as the same weight of chicken
- Cattle require twelve times more feed to produce the same amount of protein as crickets
- The correct term for eating insects is ‘entomophagy’
Pestaurant Menu in full:
Entreés:
- Roasted, Salted Queen Weaver Ants
- BBQ Mole Crickets
- Giant Black Scorpions
- BBQ Zebra Tarantulas
- Salted ‘Hoppers’
- BBQ Bamboo Worms
- Salted mixed worms
Main course:
- Sweet Chilli Pigeon Burger
Desserts:
- Chocolate-dipped Sago Worms
- Chocolate-dipped Silkworm Pupae