Stallholders at the 2011 Oundle Food Festival, The Gourmet Spice Company, have just told me that they have been shortlisted as a finalist for the 'Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards 2011'.  The Awards are in their fourth year and hosted this time by Jay Rayner, they have "built up a strong reputation for recognising and rewarding some of the most forward-thinking and innovative achievements in the food and drink sector across the region".

 As you can imagine, The Gourmet Spice Company are extremely pleased at being one of only three finalists in their category and can't wait for the Awards Ceremony in Nottingham on Nov 17th. They say "Regardless of the outcome, we're featuring heavily in their PR and Marketing beforehand and it's always nice to get more exposure for the brand. Obviously, it would be amazing to actually win though!"

Gourmet Spice Company was created by a food lover, Mark Hughes, to encourage people to think about how they can get more flavour from food. Particularly when prices are rising, "it's important to find ways of bringing out the best in whatever you buy, whether that's using cheaper cuts or even moving away from pre-prepared to 'real' food that's healthier, packed with flavour and often cheaper".

"It's also important to support British producers in these tough times, which is why we only use British oils, vinegars, salts & sugars in all our blends and infusions. We make everything by hand using interesting ingredients like rose petals, pomegranate, pure cacao and our very own 'bourbon pepper' and give the maximum flavour with the minimum fuss! "

Earlier this summer AlanTitchmarsh came to Oundle to film Foxtail Lilly's extraordinary garden where she grows seasonal flowers for cutting. The Foxtail Lilly garden will feature on the 'Love your Garden' programme with Alan Titchmarsh - going out on ITV1 on 15th July.  Not to be missed!

Tea at Tregothnan

The only tea grower in England is coming to the Oundle Food Festival on 16th July to talk about how the tea is grown, and you'll have a chance to taste and to buy!

The first Tregothnan tea was sold in 2005 following the six year maturing period required for tea, all the while under the watchful eye of Garden Director and Camellia expert, Jonathon Jones. The production process remains as it has been for millennia, and we endeavour to familiarise the tea drinking public with this process through tea tasting master-classes held at our Tea Bar at Tolverne on the banks of the Fal estuary. From here our customers can actually see the tea growing thanks to the newest tea crop planted recently on the bank directly opposite.

Tregothnan is proud to be a part of the “premiuim-isation” of tea and counts such prestigious establishments as Fortnum & Mason amongst our stockists where our rare Single Estate tea is exclusively sold. Our ethos however is very much inclusive rather than exclusive, and we believe that there is room in the market for a premium brand considering tea is the world’s favourite beverage. Just as you would select wines to match food, we encourage our customers to experiment with tea according to the occasion or time of day.

Tregothnan’s own Tea Barista, Joe Trewellard, can often be overheard talking about the experience of enjoying tea in the “out-of-home market” and coming from a coffee background he’s witnessed many of the same trends emerging in the tea world. Overseeing tea service at The Tea Bar, Joe is keen to get customers involved in the theatre and ritual of taking tea in and out of the home.

The Tregothnan range now includes four black teas (including our exclusive Single Estate), one green tea and a growing list of herbal tisanes. Manuka is the latest, and best-selling, addition to the herbal range and represents another botanical first being the only manuka produced for tea outside its native New Zealand. Herbals now represent 30% of combined sales, a figure greatly increased by the introduction of Manuka in 2009 and this percentage continues to grow. The buzz surrounding this best-selling tisane was helped by an enthusiastic thumbs-up from TV botanist-turned-chef James Wong who raved about the infusion which is often likened to Rooibos or South African Honey Bush.

 Developments in the pipeline include a range of seasonal blended herbal infusions along with the on-going development of the International Tea Centre concept.

A Northamptonshire food networking group, launched earlier this year to support those within the local food and drink sector, has received praise from one of the country’s leading rural charities.

 ‘Made in Northamptonshire’ was commended by Graeme Willis of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) following his visit to Northampton to speak about the charity’s latest national research into links between buying local and quality of life.  

 “I have been leading a project team looking into the value of local food webs” said Graeme, “those being networks of local producers, suppliers, outlets and shoppers, and the value they have in maintaining key links between the countryside and the community. I was delighted to be given the opportunity to explain our findings and indeed to learn that Northamptonshire’s local food web appears to be very much alive and kicking! This group is doing a great job to promote the excellence that’s on its doorstep and, as it grows, I wish it continued success.” In return, Graeme learned more about the work that his charity is doing here in the county from the Development and Education Manager for Northamptonshire CPRE, Sally Hanrahan.    

 The group’s second meeting was held at The Seafood Cafe in Northampton and following Graeme’s talk, members visited two further independent stores on St. Giles Street – The Food Hall and St. Giles Cheese - to see how their respective owners are supporting the ‘buy local’ ethic. Said Alistair Fawn of The Food Hall, “I found Graeme’s talk really inspiring and indeed reassuring to think that we’re doing something so positive right here in the heart of the town. Thanks to the county’s wonderful producers, I’m able to stock everything from beers to wines, honeys to oils and pickles to pies, which all helps to reinforce a real sense of food identity.”

Meanwhile Peter Anstee, who runs Montagu Hampers at Slipton near Kettering, saw the value of joining the group. ”This was my first meeting and it exceeded all my expectations. As a fine food hamper retailer I came across a couple of potential new local suppliers and it was great to meet those who share my passion for fine food as well as find out about local events such as the Oundle Food Festival. I would recommend anyone with an interest in good local produce to join.”

‘Made in Northamptonshire’ was set up by Rachel Mallows of The Mallows Company with the support of the Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership (NEP) to build on the success of the Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards. Said Rachel “Although we’ve only been going for just a few months, it’s great to see how the group is already putting like-minded people in touch with each other, whether it’s sourcing new products to stock - like Peter - or finding new outlets through which producers can sell their wares. I think those who came along also got a real boost from what Graeme had to say, knowing that their efforts are truly valued.”

 ‘Made in Northamptonshire’ is aimed at:

• producers wishing to find new markets and to work collaboratively
• retail outlets wanting to sell the ‘best of Northamptonshire’
• chefs and eateries looking to source good local produce
• county food and drink businesses which support local business
• people who love the ‘buy local’ philosophy

Membership is FREE and open to anyone from the food and drink sector who would like to join. For further information, please visit www.letyourselfgrow/local or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 01933 664437.

Organic Farmer and Grower

In addition to their organic eggs and pork, they are now selling fresh lamb and hogget, jointed for your convenience.  A Finalist for Best Local Product in the Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food and Drinks Awards in 2010/11 they are offering value packs to include one leg, one shoulder, 6 chops, trimmed rack and 6 burgers r 6 gluten free koftas.  Ring Eddie or Brigitte for details on 01832 272034