The Food Section

An honest look at the human diet

THE November event in the Tollard Talks series at Tollard Barn in Tollard Royal, on Thursday 30th November, is a serious look at the arguments for and against a plant-based diet. The speaker, Jayne Buxton, poses the question, “What if removing animal foods from our diet was a serious threat to human health, and a…

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Young star chef at Castle Gardens

FIRST generation farmer, chef and internet star, Dorset-based Julius Roberts comes to the Butterfly House at Castle Gardens at Sherborne on Wednesday 8th November at 7pm to talk about his newly published, first book, The Farm Table at Castle Gardens The event is being held to conjunction with Winstone’s Bookshop in Sherborne, and will include…

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Regenerative milk vending trial at Nunney

THE picturesque village of Nunney, near Frome, will be the setting for a new regenerative milk vending trial. Golden Hooves milk and milkshakes being sold in-store for the first time. The machines will be stationed at the SPAR on the Market Place from Wednesday 18th October, where Bill the Butcher sells regeneratively farmed meat. This…

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Goats in an ancient landscape

A FAMILY farm on the beautiful Marlborough Downs in north Wiltshire, which is part of a pioneering environmental scheme, is promoting its flock of Boer goats as a healthy meat alternative and the source of a wide range of gifts. Since 2012, farmer Laura Corbett has been one of more than 40 members of the…

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A new dawn as fine dining evolves

THE pandemic had a massive (and mainly adverse) impact on the hospitality and catering industry, but post-Covid many have predicted a “new dawn for fine dining” and the recent publication of the 31st edition of the Trencherman’s Guide, the South West’s dining guide, proves it, says Michael Caines, who chairs the Trencherman’s committee. “In the…

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Celebrating seafood in South Devon

THE biggest celebration of English seafood takes place on the English Riviera in South Devon, from 29th September to 15th October, with top chefs, fishermen, restaurants and food writers demonstrating the quality of world-renowned locally caught and landed seafood. More than 40 eateries have joined forces to put on an incredible array of experiences and…

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Three star success for Dorset producers

DORSET food producers, including Dorset Pastry, were among the winners of the 230-plus coveted three star awards in this year’s Great Taste Awards, run by the Guild of Fine Food at Gillingham. The pastry company, based at Crossways, is renowned for its all-butter puff and shortcrust. The family-run business was founded by Moira Blake in…

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Organic businesses combine

TWO leading West Country organic food businesses are getting together. Devon-based Eversfield Organic Ltd, one of the UK’s top organic grocery services, has announced the incorporation of Coombe Farm Organic, based near Crewkerne in Somerset. This strategic move will double the size of Eversfield Organic’s online butchery business and the company says this will enhance…

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The joy of afternoon tea

The writer Henry James famously wrote in The Portrait of a Lady: “There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.” WHATEVER your view on the cream or jam on top scone debate, most of us can agree that the South West has the best…

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Follow the Somerset Food Trail

THIS year’s Somerset Food Trail, from 14th to 30th July, builds on the success of the inaugural 2022 event, with more than 170 producers and retailer, 350-plus events and 100 venues taking part in the fortnight-long programme of dinners, farm walks, open days, tastings and more. The headline theme of The Mile Feast is a…

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