Shropshire chocolatier nominated
Award winning Shropshire based chocolatier Julia Wenlock has won a nomination for the European Semi Finals of the International Chocolate Awards for her Milk Chocolate bar filled with Pistachio’s, Maldon Smoked Sea Salt and Marou Cocoa Nibs, just weeks after receiving Silver from the Academy of Chocolate for her Salted Caramels. “Over 200 different chocolates were entered into the European Semi Finals, and last year over 600 chocolates were entered into the Finals, so the competition is extremely high” explained Julia, who runs her shop in the Indoor Market in Shrewsbury. Julia will be demonstrating at the Market on Sunday 30 June as part of the Market Hall’s Fringe Food Festival.
Ludlow kitchen now open
Ludlow Food Centre in Shropshire, which recently won the accolade of ‘Britain’s best farm shop’, has opened a new café-restaurant. The Ludlow Kitchen will open seven days a week and offers an evening service from Wednesday to Saturday and is one of the largest all day restaurants in the region. To get the new venture off to a kick start, there are evening deals of two main courses for £15, or two starters, two mains and a bottle of wine £45. Head Chef, Damien McNamara, is using local ingredients throughout the menu, most of which come from the local country estate, including home reared beef, lamb, Gloucester Old Spot pork and game.
Shrewsbury Food Festival
This month sees the first ever Shrewsbury Food Festival over the weekend of 29 and 30 June. There will be plenty of talks and demonstrations, a restaurant safari, sausage and real burger trails, food tastings, live music, children’s activities and workshops, as well as over 130 exhibitors. Highline chefs appearing will be internationally acclaimed Will Holland of La Becasse and ITV favourite Marcus Bean. The organisers are ‘passionate about the journey from farm to fork’ and stress that the main purposes of the festival, besides showcasing the best of Shropshire, is to educate youngsters about food provenance and celebrate our rural, food-based local heritage and economy. For full listings and details visit the website shrewsburyfoodfestival.co.uk
Top county chefs to cook live at fringe
As part of the Food Festival, there will also be a ‘fringe festival’ centred around the Shrewsbury Market Hall, with crowd-pulling gourmet demonstrations by some of Shropshire’s top chefs. Alan Dann of Henry Tudor House, Nigel Huxley of Draper’s Hall, Paul Maders of The Hayward at The Lion Hotel, and Masterchef the Professionals quarter-finalist Chris Conde, of The Inn at Grinshill, will be seen cooking live. “Members of the public will be able to watch their favourite chefs in action also get the chance to quiz them about ingredients, recipes, cooking tips and what it’s like to be a chef in an award-winning gourmet restaurant.” Demonstrations 11-2pm on both days.
Alternative Ascot
If you love Ascot but don’t want the expense and hassle of actually going, then there is a novel local alternative to Ladies Day on Thursday 20 June at the Taste Kitchen in Shrewsbury. The day kicks off with the chance to make a fascinator with milliner Helen Richardson from Brockton, then, wearing their creations ladies will enjoy a glass of sparkling wine and a seafood or local cheese platter for lunch. Then its time to study the form, enter a sweepstake and watch the first race from Ascot, before completing the day with a short cookery demonstration and afternoon tea. £50 per person to include sparkling wine on arrival, a fascinator to wear and take home, lunch and afternoon tea. To find out more or book please call 01743 452818
Ludlow Nut Company grows from grant
A Ludlow company has gone from strength to strength since being awarded a grant through the Shropshire and Herefordshire Business Enterprise Fund last autumn. The grant helped to enable owners Helen and Robert Graham to acquire and convert adjoining premises into a fully furnished and modern kitchen for production. Six months after its completion, business is brisk with a number of new contracts supplying the food industry. Administered by Shropshire Council, the fund provides capital grants of up to £5,000 and is open to any business operating within Shropshire or Herefordshire on a business-to-business or tourism model. See the business development section of the council website shropshire.gov.uk for more details.
Demos for foodies
A number of tasty foodie events will be held at the Taste Kitchen at Battlefield, Shrewsbury in June…to find out more or book these events call 01743 452818.
Knife skills – Wednesday 5 June A skills master class with HEFF chef Danny Silcock. During this hands-on morning participants will learn how to cut, bone and prepare a whole chicken, stuff the thighs and also tackle some different vegetable cuts and styles. £35 per person to include tuition, a light lunch and the prepared chicken to take home.
Pork pie making – Thursday 6 June Learn the art of making a champion pork pie with expert butcher Walter Smith, who will take participants through the process, using only the best free range pork. A delicious lunch of pork pie, cheese and pickle, and your own pork pie to take home for £30 per person.
A master roaster’s brew – Saturday 8 June at 11.00am A Saturday morning foodie talk by Andy Turner from Aroma Tea & Coffee Merchants. For over two decades Andrew has been roasting his own “real” coffee. No charge, just drop in!
Artisan breadmaking – Sunday 9 June Learn the art of traditional breadmaking with artisan baker Sheila Tuskan Sager. Places are limited to 10 people. £95 per person to include tuition, ingredients and refreshments.
Basic bakery – Thursday 13 June A hands on all day course with chef Danny Silcock making savoury pastry and scones in the morning and basic bread, sweet pastry, egg custards and shortbread in the afternoon. £85 per person to include tuition, ingredients, all refreshments and your baked goodies to take home.
BBQ fish course – Saturday 15 June An ideal gift for Fathers Day, learning the techniques of cooking on the BBQ to ensure great results along with recipes to impress. To book call Fiona on Fish 01952 691453 or email fiona@fionaonfish.com £85 per person including tastings, refreshments, recipe folder, main course lunch with wine.
Summer fruits and a strawberry cream tea – Friday 28 June A demonstration of delicious summer fruit recipes, followed by a scrumptious afternoon tea with strawberries and cream. £15 to include afternoon tea.
