Hello Dear Reader,
I was invited and went to a blogger’s event at Riverford Farm’s Field Kitchen. A group of bloggers were invited by the media team to meet Guy Watson, have a tour of the farm, ask questions and then lunch in the Field Kitchen. I was confused as to why they would invite a frugal cook, who cooks meals for £1 a head, to a high end food producer’s meet and greet. It was a fascinating day.
Guy Watson was refreshingly honest, no big environmental hard sell, just a business man and farmer who wanted to do it his way. We were shown around the packing sheds, past the fleet of Transcontinental Riverford Trucks and pallet load, after pallet load of imported fruit and veg. He admitted the environment and climate had defeated British farmers and the weather over the last twelve months had been disastrous. He wished he could have acres and acres of polytunnels and felt British farmers were hobbled by planning laws whilst French and Spanish farmers could farm away from pests and the elements under plastic. He regaled us with stories of success and exuberant tales of “pissing away millions” whilst trying to get it right. Good luck to you Guy and it was a delight to meet some one unashamedly successful at what he does. The staff car park was full and the business is a massive contributor to the local and national economy.
Riverford has farms all over the UK and Europe as well as growers up and down the country and in France and Spain. 20,000 veggie boxes are delivered across the South West of England every week, which shows there is a great demand for the product. They don’t compromise quality and if you want it, you’ll have to pay. I found out the smallest Free Range Organic chicken will cost you £12. Well beyond my means but if you can afford it and you’re happy to pay then they’ll gladly supply it for you at a price.
In spite of it being bitterly cold, I loved the trip round the farm in the muddy workers van, driven by Guy as he told us about the crops. We got up close and personal with spring greens, purple sprouting broccoli, garlic and salads growing in poly tunnels. We learnt about the history of the farm and how the business grew from a family farm to the multi-million pound business it is today. We all had loads of questions and it was brilliant to meet other South West Bloggers, including one from Liskeard! Take a look at their blogs, leave a comment and tell them I sent you!
My last experience in a restaurant was a total disaster (remember this?) but this was the polar opposite. They have a daily set menu of seasonal and as locally sourced food as possible. The options today was too calorific and too high in fat for me. I was prepared to sit it out but they weren’t prepared to see me go without. I was invited to have a chat with the head chef who then proceeded to steam chicken and vegetables for me and provide me with fruit for dessert. If you are booking, ask for the menu for the day and if there’s something you don’t like or can’t eat, they will do something different for you. Dearly Beloved tasted all the food for me, including the slow roasted duck, all the side dishes and pear and chocolate pavlova for dessert. He thought, even though we’d never be able to afford to go there, that the £22.50 for the three course lunch was good value and after our experience at River Cottage Canteen & Deli in Plymouth, it was half the price and twice the value.
The dining experience is great for families or large groups and the atmosphere is relaxed so long as you don’t mind toddlers and babies crawling around your feet, bags and tables. I even came away with a discount code for anyone to use if you book and go by the end of March this year. When booking, if you use the discount code FK443D then you and your party or family will be able to secure a free meal for one person in four.This means a three course organic lunch will cost just £16.87 per person. I don’t think any restaurant any where could better that offer. The T&Cs are that you have to eat at lunch time, Monday to Friday. I don’t recommend many places but if I could afford it, I would go back again and again!!!
I also took away five recipe booklets to give away. Leave a comment and I’ll include you in a draw that I will do on Saturday night. Watch out for your names and email me if you’ve won and I’ll post it to you.
Thanks very much to Riverford Farm for a fascinating day and the best lunch I’ve ever eaten in a restaurant.
Until tomorrow,
Love Froogs
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