Foodies are a little subculture! We know that if everyone would just put down
the takeaway and cook local ingredients from scratch then the world would be a
better place, so if the rest of you would get with the program, it would be
most helpful.
So when I was invited to try the Farm Drop Spring menu at The Chequers [a gorgeous pub on
Walthamstow High Street], I did the happy dance. Farm Drop is a fantastic service which allows
small producers to share their produce via a convenient ‘veggie box’ style
delivery offering.
I arrived at the Chequers [a gastro hipster pub
with an endearingly old soul] to a Woodford and Warner sorrel
& hibiscus bellini. One of the
features of the evening was that producers were on hand to talk about the
passion they put into their products which was a great touch.
I’ve never had hibiscus before but it added a sweet
floral note to the bellini which was very refreshing [and moreish – note to
self, could be dangerous]. We were
seated at a long table and the debate started, covering everything from allotments
to the social good cooking can provide to the vulnerable.
The starter arrived Calabaza globe artichokes, Oliveology shallot vinaigrette! Silence descended and there were the happy
noises of foodies grazing. The
artichokes were incredibly fresh and tasty complemented by the sharp
vinaigrette. Gosh, I really wish I had
the patience to do artichokes at home.
We returned to Woodford and Warner for a
sorbet to clean the pallet, this was becoming addictive and the intro from the founder
made me smile! Yes, local and passionate
– tick.
Almond
crusted Park Farm lamb cutlets, Wild Country sorrel, Chegworth charlotte
potatoes & Calabaza radish chutney followed. Andy Clarke from Park Farm explained his philosophy
around raising animals and well – being shallow – he was rather nice looking
but sadly, did mention a wife. O well,
I’m a city girl at heart!
The
meat was free-range and you could tell. It
was complemented by the potatoes and sorrel but the radish chutney did rather
pass me by. Obviously being nosey, I
looked at my seat-mates meal - La
Tua ravioloni with new season Chegworth Valley asparagus, asparagus sauce
& Montgomery Cheddar crisp.
Quietly
sobbing inside as a gluten-intolerant lactose-intolerant weirdo, I ate her meal
with my eyes. It looked lovely and the sheer
passion when one of the La Tua
founders spoke about his products went to the heart of all assembled.
The
meal finished with Calabaza rhubarb fool, Ivy House cream which was sadly so
good, that I didn’t take a photo but loved it.
Sharp rhubarb, little dabs of cream [blasted lactose] was the perfect
end to the meal.
And
as I staggered off into the night [my easyjet flight had been delayed by 2
hours the night before so I was a little sleepy rather than tipsy], I did so
with a light heart. While there may be
mass production, others continue to produce high quality products with love.
Visit
Farm Drop to see what they offer as I
can guarantee you will find something that helps you find your inner foodie.
L
xx
Don’t
forget to follow me @littlebitofwhat
