Eyebrows were raised when a Suffolk MP suggested people should eat turnips instead of tomatoes as supermarket shoppers frantically try to find fruit and vegetables amid shortages.

In a playful response to Suffolk Coastal MP Therese Coffey's comments that people should "cherish" turnips, a Beccles pizzeria has come up with a novel dish based on the vegetable. 

Oak Fired at the Royal Oak pub has created a "tongue in cheek" pizza, with a topping that incorporates locally sourced turnips, Stilton cheese and spring onions.

As environment minister, Ms Coffey had told MPs that British consumers should "cherish" home-grown produce by eating turnips instead of tomatoes.

East Anglian Daily Times: Suffolk Coastal MP Therese Coffey's turnip for tomatoes comments have raised question marks about how in touch she is with the electorateSuffolk Coastal MP Therese Coffey's turnip for tomatoes comments have raised question marks about how in touch she is with the electorate (Image: Newsquest)

Restaurant co-owner Paul Jackson said: "We do think we have come up with a cracking new pizza.

"The cost of tomatoes, tomato puree and even tinned tomatoes has sky-rocked, just as seemingly everything has.

"So as a reaction to Mrs Coffey's comments about eating turnips instead of tomatoes, I thought I would make a tongue-in-cheek styled pizza with a turnip base.

"On Friday night we made a few and offered them to some regular guests to try and it was actually really well-liked."

East Anglian Daily Times: The turnip purée makes the base of the pizza, with stilton and spring onions providing the toppingsThe turnip purée makes the base of the pizza, with stilton and spring onions providing the toppings (Image: Oak Fired Beccles)

READ MORE: Food review of a traditional Italian restaurant 

Restaurant co-owner Paul Jackson said: "All it is all a lighthearted knock at how out of touch government officials can be.

"We are dog friendly, so Ms Coffey is very welcome to bring her pooch, but any cigar smoking will have to take place in the designated areas outside."

Famously England manager Graham Taylor was labelled a "Turnip" by The Sun newspaper after the Three Lions crashed out of Euro 1992 with a defeat to Sweden.

When asked for a comment from Ms Coffey, a government spokesperson said ministers understood public concerns about supplies of vegetables and are working with supermarkets to get supplies back to normal.

East Anglian Daily Times: The turnip in purée form ready to make the base of a true Neapolitan-styled pizzaThe turnip in purée form ready to make the base of a true Neapolitan-styled pizza (Image: Oak Fired Beccles)

WHAT OUR REPORTER BRUNO BROWN THOUGHT OF THE TURNIP-BASED PIZZA

Turnips in my mind are far from the most attractive or appealing vegetables.

The bland and flavourless vegetables are better known as a term of insult rather than belonging on one's plate to complete a Sunday dinner.

With this ignorant understanding of turnips, before trying the new pizza I clearly had a prejudiced vision of how it would taste.

Yet to my astonishment, the first bite of the pizza left me salivating: it was delicious.

I never would have known the secret ingredient behind the tasty flavours was a turnip.

If I were to have guessed, naturally I would have assumed it was a normal 'white pizza base'.

Dominating my senses were the fabulously rich and pungent stilton flavours, with each creamy bite a delight.

Coupling this was the fresh and 'oniony' tasting spring onion, and the combination worked a dream.

I can't not admire the creativity and innovation to create the dish, and the execution was marvellous.

Restaurant owners Mr Williams and Mr Jackson haven't named the pizza, nor have they put it on their menu, but their satirical pizza wouldn't have been out of place on it.

East Anglian Daily Times: The restaurant owners say Ms Coffey will always be welcomeThe restaurant owners say Ms Coffey will always be welcome (Image: Bruno Brown)

Oak Fired is open Tuesday - Saturday and situated at 35 Ravensmere, Beccles NR34 9DH