Farmers markets are a great place to discover delicious local fresh food and drink. We have a stall at Ludlow Farmers Market on the second Thursday of every month and we love the atmosphere and buzz the market creates. We occasionally attend other markets so keep your eyes peeled for us. We have listed many of the local farmers markets below, if you attend any of the markets let us know what you thought.
Hobsons Community - Food
We are fortunate enough to be located right in the heart of the English countryside, surrounded by beautiful landscapes, fantastic people and the very best in food and drink. Living and working in such a glorious environment it's impossible not to become passionate about local produce and the wonderful dishes it can create. Many of Henry's team have their own vegetable patches and they swear by their home grown fruit and veggies. The Heart of England is also blessed with an abundance of talented chefs whose styles range from michelin starred to bistro and traditional pub cuisine. No matter which part of the region you are in the standard of food created is quite simply second to none and it's because of our love of local food that we have dedicated a section of our website to it.
To help create an exciting and fresh look at local food we have teamed up with five fantastic chefs (and Hobsons customer) from across Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire to bring you an exciting slice of inspiration every single week. Each chef is renowned in their local community for the stunning food they produce and many have gained national and even international acclaim. We are very excited to work with such highly talented chefs and we hope you enjoy the recipes they create. In addition to the five 'Henry's Choice Chefs' we will also be bringing you a delicious monthly recipe from another Hobsons customer in a feature called 'Henry's Choice Guest Chef'.
In addition to tasty recipes we will also bring you information on local producers and stockists as well as food events such as the Ludlow Food Festival, which we attend every year. So sit back and take a taste exploration across the region, we're sure you will find a recipe to wet your appetite.
To view all recipes created for us by Henry's Choice Chefs and this month's Guest Chef recipe please go to Henry's Choice Chef Recipe Collection.
Henry’s food heroes
• 26th January 2010 •We work closely with many local food organisations, publications and retail outlets and would like to take this opportunity to provide links to their websites. You will find a wealth of information on local food, events, further recipes and much more. So please enjoy discovering what our local community has to offer.
Henry’s Choice Chef No.1 Stewart Leggett, The Stewing Pot
• 20th January 2010 •
The Stewing Pot is an award winning restaurant situated on the bustling Church Street in the centre of Hereford. Opened in 2005 to much local acclaim, by Stewart Leggett, The Stewing Pot quickly asserted itself as a foodie destination. Stewart’s policy of excellent produce sourced as locally as possible and good service soon struck a chord with the locals and the restaurant is regularly packed out. The food is classic and modern, expertly prepared and presented. The restaurant itself is contemporary and welcoming with a warm ambiance.
To find out more about The Stewing Pot please visit www.stewingpot.co.uk
Stewart Leggett
Stewart was passionate about food from a young age and at 17 began his training at The Glenagles Hotel in Scotland. Following the completion of his training Stewart worked as sous chef at The Chateau le Chaire in Jersey before returning to The Glenagles Hotel a couple of years later as Chef Tournant. In the years that followed Stewart worked in some of the top hotels and restaurants in the country. Between 1999 and 2002 he opened Castle House and then Left Bank in Hereford which he took to four AA Rosettes in six months. Finally in 2005 Stewart embarked on The Stewing Pot which he opened to much local acclaim.
He is a full member of the Master Chefs of Great Britain and writes a regular cookery column for Wye Valley Life magazine.Whilst running The Stewing Pot Stewart can also often be found demonstrating around the country and beyond. In 2009 Stewart received a Diamond Award from Heart of England Fine Foods and was one of ten chefs selected from across the Midlands to cook a 10 course meal at the Rico Stadium in Coventry to mark the 10th anniversary of the awards ceremony. To view Stewart’s latest recipe click on ‘read the rest of this entry’
Henry’s Choice Chef No.2 Stephen Bull, The Butchers Arms
• 20th January 2010 •
The Butchers Arms is a charming 16th-century wood framed building located in the village of Woolhope near Hereford. The Butchers Arms is a traditional pub with low beamed ceilings and welcoming open fires. The pub has a stream running through its pretty cottage garden which cools customers on hot sunny days. Run by Stephen Bull, twice the recipient of a Michelin Star, the food at The Butchers Arms has received both local and national acclaim with reviews appearing in The Independent and The Guardian to name but a few. The food focuses on local produce with Goodrich Longhorn beef, Chepstow ducks, Kentchurch venison, fish from Cornish inshore boats, and fruit and veg from nearby farms and gardens. The Butchers has recently been awarded a Bib Gourman in the Michelin Guide 2010, given for ‘good food at moderate prices’ (one of only 131 places in the UK).
To find out more about The Butchers Arms please visit www.butchersarmswoolhope.com
Stephen Bull
“Stephen Bull is a genuine food hero” Fork Magazine, Autumn 2009
Stephen left behind a successful career in advertising at the age of 27 and brought his first restaurant in North Wales, where he taught himself to cook and launched himself on a remote, unsuspecting public. In 1970 Stephen then moved to Richmond and opened Lichfields, where he was awarded a Michelin Star and Newcomer of the Year in the Good Food Guide. Over the years additional restaurants followed – Stephen Bull (Time Out’s Best Modern European Restaurant), Stephen Bull’s Bistro, and Fulham Road where Stephen was awarded a Michelin Star. In 2000 he left London behind to open the Lough Pool Inn near Ross on Wye. Stephen now owns the Hole in the Wall near Cambridge and the Butchers Arms, Woolhope, both of which have a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide for good value cooking. Stephen has appeared several times at Hay and Abergavenny Festivals, and several times on Radio 4′s food programme. To view Stephen’s latest recipe click on’read the rest of this entry’
Henry’s Choice Chef No.3 Felice Tocchini, Fusion Brasserie
• 19th January 2010 •
Felice Tocchini is owner and head chef of the unique Fusion Brasserie restaurant and bar in Stoulton, just outside Worcester. Having worked for most of his life in catering Felice and his wife Fiorinda decided to follow their dreams and opened Fusion in 2004. Originally located in Alcester Fusion was moved to Stoulton a year and a half later in an effort to find a more suitable venue. Fusion is a retro pub built in circa 1963 over the “ashes” of a much older inn dating back to the 1850s. Fusion is a relaxed, stylish and contemporary restaurant and bar with a welcoming atmosphere. Felice is passionate about food and local ingredients and both the menu and service reflect this. The Brasserie is become extremely popular locally and has also received national reviews.
To find out more about Fusion Brasserie please visit www.fusionbrasserie.com
Felice Toochini
Born in Porcari a small village just outside Lucca in Tuscany, Italy, Felice was raised with a strong connection to food, the countryside and its way of life. His love of food prompted him to enrol on a 3 year course at the Ferdinando Martini Catering College in Montecatini Terme. Following his graduation in 1982 and at the age of only 16 Felice and his future wife Fiorinda moved to Stratford Upon Avon where they worked at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre Company Restaurant, positions originally intended to last 1 year. 6 years later following stints in both the kitchen and front of house Felice was appointed Chef Manager of the Shakespeare Company’s newly acquired Seymore House Hotel. Over the 16 years that Felice ran Seymore House he collected AA Rosettes, a listing in Michelin, Heartbeat awards and many more.
In 2000 Felice was approached by the British Sprouts Association and has been their honorary chef ever since. Working with the association has brought considerable media attention including apperances on Country File, GMTV, One Show, BBC Good Food Show and Midlands Today. Some of Felices quirky sprout recipes like “sprouty cake” have gained global media attention with coverage in the USA and Australia. Over the years Felice has also worked with schools to promote fresh local seasonal produce something he is passionate about. In 2004 Felice and Fiorinda left the Royal Shakespeare company and opened Fusion Brasserie, which thanks to Felice’s love of fresh produce with a “fusion twist” has proven a great success. Felice continues to work with the British Sprout Association as well as local schools and has made several appearances at the BBC Good Food Show and Malvern Show. To view Felice’s latest recipe click on ‘read the rest of this entry’
Henry’s Choice Chef No.4 Jamie Yardley, The Boyne Arms
• 18th January 2010 •
The Boyne Arms is a fantastic Georgian coaching inn located in the South Shropshire village of Burwarton. Run by Jamie Yardley and his wife Nere The Boyne is dedicated to producing classic English and European cuisine using the finest local ingredients. The atmosphere is welcoming and relaxed and the menu includes something for every palate and budget, from fish and chips to seasonal a la carte, fine wines and award winning real ale. The bar is traditional and cozy with open fires and comfortable seating and the classically refurbished dining room is beautiful. The Boyne boasts a large walled garden with outdoor seating, plenty of running around room for children and play equipment. With the delightful variety of local produce on offer in Shropshire inspiring Jamie the food is truly delicious, seasonal and local.
To find out more about The Boyne Arms please visit www.theboynearms.co.uk
Jamie Yardley
“Jamie is one of the most talented chefs I have ever worked with” Jean Christophe Novelli.
Jamie trained at Guilford Technical College before travelling to Australia to work at the age of 17. Whilst in Australia Jamie worked at several restaurants including O’niell’s fish restaurant located at Sydney harbour and several steak houses across the city. After 8 months in Australia Jamie returned to the UK to work in London at the Naval & Military Club and the RAF club. After working in the City for 5 years he moved out of London to Hertfordshire where he worked firstly as temporary head chef at Hitchin Priory and then sous chef at Brocket Hall. After a year Jamie was promoted to head chef and worked alongside Jean Christophe Novelli and later Steven Saunders. In 2006 Jamie took over the Boyne Arms and fully renovated the pub in 2007. To view Jamie’s latest recipe click on ‘read the rest of this entry’
Henry’s Choice Chef No.5 Steve Reynolds, the Stagg inn
• 18th January 2010 •
Steve Reynolds is head chef and owner of The Stagg Inn, which can be found in the picturesque village of Titley North Herefordshire about 2 miles from the Welsh border. Steve has run The Stagg with his wife Nicola for 12 years and they have always been passionate about the fantastic range of local produce available in the region. In addition to using the best local produce in his food Steve has begun to rear his own pigs, chickens and ducks and his black pudding and chorizo have been very well received. In 2001 Steve was awarded a Michelin star, a first for a pub and he has maintained it ever since.
The Stagg is a rustic pub with a small bar that is home to 200 pub jugs and some very friendly gossiping locals and three dining rooms. Housed within a beautiful old building that is part medieval, part Victorian and a bit 1970s, The Stagg has an informal atmosphere with wooden tables and no background music. They have been serving Hobsons since they opened 12 year ago and are also enthusiastic promoters of local cider and perry.
To find out more about The Stagg Inn please visit www.thestagg.co.uk
Steve Reynolds
“Steve Reynolds is a splendid cook. Fine ingredients are just the beginning. He knows what to do with them…” Jonathan Meades, The Times.
Steve studied photography and was working as a freelance architectural photographer until he decided to change careers. He wrote to The Gavroche in Mayfair where he went on to do his basic training. Steve moved back to Herefordshire and began working at the Riverside in Aymestry where he built up a local following. In 1997 he and Nicola brought the run down Stagg Inn in Titley and reopened in March 1998 following refurbishments. The food critics and guides were quick to follow him and in 2001 he was awarded a Michelin Star which he still holds in the 2010 guide. Steve still enjoys photography but his passion is cooking. To view Steve’s latest recipe click on ‘read the rest of this entry’
