Cookery to the fore - an experience not to be missed

The Wot's Cooking purpose-built Cookery Theatre

Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin. If you have never experienced a cookery demonstration organised and presented by the Wot’s Cooking team, then you have missed a truly memorable experience. For a start, husband and wife team Katie & Glyn Johnson have their own fully-equipped mobile demo kitchen: all mod cons and purpose-built to allow everyone in the audience to see and experience what is happening live, on stage. Whilst Katie ‘presents’, Glyn is  behind the scenes taking care of the ‘technicals’. Last Autumn, I was so captivated, I could have spent the entire Show watching and thinking food.

Presenter and compere,
Katie Johnson of Wot's Cooking

This year sees an even more eclectic programme - with the Wot’s Cooking theatre at the heart of the ‘Taste It’ section of the Show. Featuring a range of knowledgeable practising chefs (some appearing at Malvern for the first time), who could fail to be inspired by the delectable selection of specialties they will be showcasing?  You will need to check your Show Guide for exact times. Bookmark any of the following …

Watch bread being made in the Cookery Theatre, 
and then buy something fresh and tasty - 
there's such a selection from which to choose

Appearing twice on Saturday (27th) is Rob Swift of Swift’s Bakery from Clee Hill, whose family have been baking artisanal and speciality breads since 1863. Rob is fifth generation and passionate about the bread-making process and their wide range of finished products: white, wholemeal and brown, French, international, speciality, and a particularly tasty-sounding ‘healthy eating’ range. Rob’s demos are always fun, and afterwards you can visit their stall to stock up on whatever takes your fancy.

Liz Knight at last year's Show

Also twice on Saturday’s bill of fare is Liz Knight of Forage Fine Foods. She uses ingredients plucked from her garden and local Herefordshire hedgerows. What a pleasure to discover that you don’t necessarily require expensive ingredients to create a feast when what you need is right there on your doorstep. Liz makes flavours and special seasonal treats, loving the taste of wild ingredients and the thrill of discovering new combinations of flavours - her products are a celebration of the best of the wild, adding a new, wildly irresistible dimension to home cooking.

Always popular - take your seats in good time, ladies and gentlemen

Whilst compiling this preview, I learned from Katie Johnson that Chris von Landkammer - head chef at The Elms in Worcester, is the most widely travelled chef that she has ever engaged to work with. Not in terms of Malvern to Worcester (a mere hop) but from as far afield as New Zealand. If the hotel website is anything to go by, you’ll be in for a treat, for he infuses many of their delectable dishes with touches of Asian cuisine garnered from his experience in the Far East.  Using the freshest of ingredients, and fruit, herbs and vegetables from The Elms’ extensive kitchen garden, he conjures up a daily smorgasbord of fabulous meals. What will he offer us in the Wot’s Cooking kitchen?

Calling all vegetarians - oh so tasty (pumpkins to the fore)

For the vegetarians amongst you, Lizzy Hughes of  Our Lizzy Cooking - a Malvern-based vegetarian cookery school - will be there to entertain you on both Saturday AND Sunday. She enjoys using a wide range of locally grown seasonal produce and loves exploring new ingredients whilst developing new recipes. She says, “Autumn is my favourite time of year. I especially love trying out different pumpkins and squash as they work so well in vegetarian dishes.” At the show she’ll be demonstrating a three course Autumnal feast will a warming Roasted Pumpkin and Chilli Soup, Squash and Spelt Risotto, Hubbard Squash and Fava Bean Casserole. (Lizzy also loves using fruit and will show the traditional Malvern Pudding using apples from her own tree.)

Fish - a refreshing change?

Tom Court of Sticky Fig Catering will be appearing twice on Sunday (28th). Established in 2013, their services have grown to include event catering, from intimate dinners to large celebrations, to weddings and parties in the privacy of home. Their aim is to provide the best quality food and service at all events, creating memorable experiences for guests. Sticky Fig is committed to sourcing the best local and sustainable produce from local suppliers whist being mindful of budget. There are bound to be plenty of useful tips from this midlands-based chef who is used to cooking for clients or with them in their home kitchen.

From seed to plate: metres rather than food miles

Andy Link - the award winning head chef, gardener and bee keeper at The Riverside Inn, Amestery (a rural Herefordshire restaurant) - aims to create a true hub for local seasonal produce, showcasing the best the area has to offer. As part of this the chefs have developed over an acre of land to create traditional and experimental vegetable, fruit and herb gardens - which even include their own bee hive. These working kitchen gardens are an essential part of their facilities, offering chefs the opportunity to experiment with different ingredients and plant types, whilst introducing new flavours alongside a great level of freshness, The result?  Some dishes travel only metres, not miles.  Andy says that during the Malvern Autumn Show, he will be “discussing the sustainable way in which the restaurant uses this seed-to-plate approach to create a few seasonal, home grown plates of food using only ingredients from the restaurant grounds."

Oh the shame of it!
 Even journalists have to eat!

Watching food demos is hungry work, or at least one craves food afterwards, or at any time of the day. There are plenty of refreshments on offer around the Showground, clearly marked on the map that accompanies your Showguide. As these are all conveniently located, there’s no excuse for not stopping for a bite and a cuppa – indeed, your visit may well benefit from so doing when you arrive, allowing you time to glance through the Show Guide and formulate a plan of what you most want to do; Cookery Theatre timetable included. Familiarisation can save time and possible frustration, allowing you to pack far more into your day out.

All images are copyright - with thanks to all the photographers who have co-operated with me to produce this cookery preview.


Just to remind you: Show opening times on both days are 9.00am to 6.00pm and there’s a free shuttle bus from Great Malvern rail station. There's also no charge for standard car parking.  Book your Show tickets online, or phone the ticket hotline (01684 584924). More next week - so do bookmark this page.

Food Glorious Food

Sharing  food together as a family is very special

Food is a necessity for a happy and healthy life (along with various other facets of course) and this year, the organisers of the RHS Malvern Spring Festival are pulling out all the stops to ensure that it is a key feature of the Show (8th to 11th May). Not only is the Showground going through a metamorphosis to stage the entire Show, TCAS are calling all foodies to come and enjoy what is on offer – a greatly enhanced festival of food.

An enjoyable scene from 2013 - vendors and buyers

Tying in with its links to the to the gardening aspect of the Show, the Food Festival at RHS Malvern will have a whole pavilion dedicated to Grow and Taste. The supply chain between artisan food producers and the source of their ingredients will be laid bare and celebrated. 

From plot to food stall

The ever-popular TV Chef, James Martin, will be headlining the food festival with demonstrations and talks throughout the weekend. “No one can underestimate the links between food and gardening. If you love good food, the chances are you are pretty into where it has come from. The journey from field to plate is so often talked about in the media – however it is the allotment owners and the keen gardeners who are having the most fun with producing their own. I love the fact that RHS Malvern has tied in food to this year’s line up. It’s an inspirational experience for gardeners and foodies alike.”

Rachel Allen

Friday will see busy TV chef, journalist and author of ten best-selling cookery books, Rachel Allen, take to the stage with top TV gardener Christine Walkden. They will both share their expert knowledge from the kitchen and the garden in a ‘Ready Steady Cook’ style presentation. Rachel said:  “I am utterly thrilled to be involved with this year’s RHS Malvern Spring Festival as it is the first year to intertwine food with gardening. There is a great synergy between spades and spoons and in order for us chefs to produce wonderful dishes, the growth and harvest of our produce is so important. The Festival is set to showcase all that is great about food and gardening and I am really looking forward to seeing what’s in store.”

Food Glorious Food

Located at the heart of the Show is the Severn Hall and a new (as yet unnamed) feature designed to create some real ‘theatre and drama’ for visitors. The whole space will be designed by multi-awards winning garden designer, Peter Dowle, and broken into a series of garden rooms. “It is going to be a dining experience not seen at the Spring Festival before ..... we're bringing in some huge plants for the central jungle area with pool , together with a woodland, village green , and farm market showing some of the 'raw' ingredients that will be used by the innovative catering team from Relish. ...... All very exciting and we can't wait to get going !" 

Purchasers eager to buy food from specialist producers

As more details emerge on the increasing links between gardening and food, we will continue to post. I've been attending the Spring Shows since 2006, and writing about them every year, and 2014 is going to be very special. (Author's Note: All images posted are from previous shows. So different will be the new Food Festival at RHS Malvern that as yet we have no representative shots, though I hope to bring you a sneak preview during the build-up.)

Taste it! Glorious Food at the Malvern Autumn Show

Local produce to tempt you

Fresh and local is the key for FOOD at the Malvern Autumn Show – and why not when it is held in an area so renowned for some of the finest produce this country has to offer. From fruit to vegetables, meat to pastries, preserves to sweetmeats and bread to chutneys, the three counties of Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire benefit from an equable climate and a tradition of excellence in food production.

Doing the Continental -
tasty morsels from far afield, as well as local to Malvern

But being a cosmopolitan nation, the Autumn Show attracts exhibitors from far and wide, and beyond our island shores as well. Whether it's chillies or olives, continental meats or curries, or something even more exotic, your taste buds will tempt you to go sampling in the various areas of the Showground devoted to TASTE.

Let them eat cake! (It was delicious, too)

Head for the Avon Hall where the WI (Women’s Institute) are staging a ‘Bake Off and Crafts-Village Show’. It’s also home to the celebrated ‘Festival of Food and Drink’ and all related exhibitors; dozens of them. Come early if you can, these stalls will be packed, though the vendors never seem to run out of produce. Moving from stall to stall, your shopping bag will soon be bulging! And there are plenty of stalls to whet your appetite in other locations, notably a Local Arts, Crafts and Food Market sited on the hard-standing  area off Row 2 between the Wye and Avon Halls. 

Wot's Cooking with Katie Johnson and baker Rob Swift

Centre stage in the Avon Hall will be Cookery Theatre where Wot’s Cooking (with lovely Katie Johnson) will be hosting a series of cookery demonstrations throughout the Show. The theatre itself is a work of art, and Wot’s Cooking use different stages for the various events they attend around the country. The Autumn Show schedule is currently building, but following his appearance at 'The Malvern Royal', baker Rob Swift will be returning on Saturday with his entertaining bread making demo;  the Swifts family Bakery  celebrates its 150th anniversary this year.  Also on the Saturday, Katie has a super chap demonstrating all about fish including identification and sourcing (Tom Court from The Granary Restaurant, Shenstone, Worcs). On the Sunday Liz Knight, a fascinating foraging expert from Herefordshire, will feature ingredients she has foraged for in the lanes and at her home, and no doubt at the Showground too. We’ll provide an update on other demos as news arrives.

Refreshments courtesy the WI at reasonable prices

Watching food demos is hungry work, or at least one craves food afterwards, or at any time of the day. There are plenty of refreshments on offer around the Showground, clearly marked on the map that accompanies your Showguide. As these are all conveniently located, there’s no excuse for not stopping for a bite and a cuppa – indeed, your visit may well benefit from so doing when you arrive, allowing you time to glance through the Show Guide and formulate a plan of what you want to do. Familiarization can save time and possible frustration, allowing you to pack more into your day out.

Joe Swift (left) learning how to cook in the Good Life Pavilion (2009)

Hosting both days in the Good Life Pavilion (alongside the edible show gardens) will be the inimitable Joe Swift conducting an audience with Mary Berry – Saturday only. Mark Diacono, from his Otter Farm smallholding in Devon, will also be appearing: head gardener at River Cottage and author of the amazing ‘Taste of the Unexpected’, he is both knowledgeable and amusing.

Have a coffee when you arrive, or before heading home
(or at any time during your visit)

Shop till you drop! But if you’re seriously stocking your pantry and even freezer, do remember to bring along a cool bag, or even an icebox. More previews will follow in the weeks leading up to the Show. But please note that the images used were taken in previous years, and as every year is different, with different themes, there is no guarantee that a specific exhibitor will be at Malvern in 2013. Oh, and don’t forget to book your tickets now and save money – which of course you could spend on food !!

More good eating from other Malvern Shows
Don't miss this year's Autumn Show - 28th & 29th September, 2013

All images are copyright Ray Quinton and Ann Somerset Miles.

Food, glorious food at the Royal Three Counties Show

Truly, the sun has been shining today (this taken Friday)

It’s been a day of sunshine and showers, but nothing to deter the visitors who have thronged here from far and wide. The hills must be in watching mode, looking lovelier than ever in the greens of early Summer. My day has been as busy as was yesterday’s, striding between venues and exhibits. WiFi has not caught up with necessity to broadcast speedily so I am actually ahead of the facility, but have spent such a varied an enjoyable time. 

So much more than is shown here - come and see yourself

Farming is all about FOOD and what with mouth-watering treats, and the need to purchase supper, I guessed a Show food collage might give pleasure. A mosaic of seven images can hardly show the diversity of products on display and for sale: there are culinary treats fit for a queen. From tasty meats, artisan breads, jams and pickles to succulent vegetables and scrumptious wines and cordials – and plenty of eateries – no-one need go home hungry! Added to all that is on offer has been a series of demonstrations in the Cookery Theatre, hosted by Katie & Glyn Johnson of Wot’s Cooking, who apart from supplying the ingenious, fully operational travelling kitchen, also run their own ‘small’ smallholding on the Shrophshire/Welsh border. A full programme is also available on Sunday.

In the Collecting Ring

The farm animals are magnificent, with more breeds being shown at the Royal than in any previous year. But talking about farming is not part of my remit, as farming is not in my blood and I know very little about it. So please, for the agricultural aspect of things, do read “Jack’s Blog” written by a local young farmer with his own flock of sheep.

Royal Three Counties Show - first preview

Previewing the Royal Three Counties Show
(food, farming and countryside)

Welcome back to those of you who have been following my gardening posts, and ‘hello’ to those of you who are joining me for the first time. Ann’s Malvern Jotter (this Blog) now encompasses other activities on the Showground.

Much more to entertain visitors than just food and farming:
The Red Devils in tandem as they descend towards the main arena

I’ve been visiting the June show every year for as long as I have the gardening shows. Of course, it wasn’t the ‘Royal’ then, but plain ‘Three Counties Show’. In its new guise (and since the demise of the royal event at Stoneleigh), the Malvern ‘Royal’ is growing; so much so that it now utilises almost every square metre of the 98-acre showground. Bursting at the seams in fact with a profusion of fantastic activities to inform and entertain you. I will need all three days to see it all!

There will be six food
and cookery demos
every day

Food, Glorious Food: Billed as ‘the best of British food, farming and countryside’, I am concentrating in this preview today on the food aspect. Centrally placed within the Showground is the ‘Regional Food & Drinks Village’ in the Severn Hall. Included in this spacious permanent building, and in no particular order, will be artisan food stalls; the Three Counties cheese competition – open to producers in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire and neighbouring counties.

Feeling hungry? Stalls to buy local produce will tempt you ...

Meat lovers will enjoy the butchery demonstration from EBLEX plus the Three Counties Cider Show together with a People’s Choice competition; local cider makers selling their produce and giving tastings; education on cider and how to make it, plus cider making equipment; a new class for Hotels and Restaurants and a stand featuring the HEFF Diamond Food award winners 2013. Additionally, farmers’ market stalls will lead into Severn Hall from Avenue F to create the Food Market. (For the uninitiated, EBLEX: the organsiation for the beef and lamb industry; HEFF: Heart of England Fine Foods.)

Cookery Theatre hosts
Glyn & Katie Johnson

Returning to the Show will be the immensely popular 'Cookery Theatre' (also within the Severn Hall) featuring local chefs and products in an immensely packed programme of demonstrations. The theatre programme will be hosted by experienced broadcasters, Katie & Glyn Johnson of ‘Wot’s Cooking’.

The 2013 Cookery Theatre in the Severn Hall 
(image copyright Wot's Cooking)

Reading through the advance list of what is on offer in the Cookery Theatre is tantalizing. On Friday 14th: Robert Swift, a 5th generation baker, who has recently opened his own artisan bakery and baking school in Ludlow, producing some of the most delicious and inventive breads imaginable. Vegetarian Cooking ideas will be demonstrated by Lizzy Hughes who runs ‘Our Lizzy’ Cookery School in Malvern Link – discover how to prepare simple, tasty, nutritious food. Daren Bale of The Hop Pole in Bewdley, recently recognised for his commitment to cooking by Worcestershire and Warwickshire Life Magazines, will feature Cooking Local & Seasonal; Rayeesa Asghar Sandys runs Herefordshire’s first and only authentic Indian Cookery School from her home in Mordiford and is a regular at Herefordshire Farmers' Market.

Bread - a necessity of life

Saturday 15th: Daniel Jones – All About Chocolate – worked at Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's River Cottage but his real love is as Master Chocolatier and Owner of 'Daniel Jones - Artisan Chocolatier'. Felice Tocchini – Ready Steady Cook; Felice has appeared on numerous TV programmes including The One Show, Countryfile, and The Gadget show as well as in the media worldwide for his innovative creations. Robert Swift (Artisan Baker) also returns on Saturday.

Cider, fruit juice and
perry all on tap

Sunday 16th: Steve Brown – head tutor of the cookery school at Daylesford Farm; following years of cooking in Michelin-starred kitchens, Steve followed his passion for local, sustainable, organic food, allowing the ingredients to do the talking. Matt Slocombe – It Has To Be Local – serves the very best food and drink that Herefordshire has to offer at the traditional Crown Inn, Woolhope; he is a huge supporter of the region’s produce, especially the cider! Daniel Jones reprises ‘All About Chocolate’.

Starting young - chefs in the making

A Recommendation: With less than three weeks to go until the opening of the Royal Three Counties Show, may I suggest that you purchase tickets now, for advance purchases come for as little as £8.00 per ticket (based on advanced family ticket price) – tremendous value for a grand day out for families: food, shopping and entertainment – and not forgetting the farming side of things.

All the fun of the fair - and Adam Henson (second left -
presenter of BBC Countryfile) will be
at the Show on Saturday 15th June)

And if you love Malvern and their shows as much as I do, it’s worth considering purchasing Showground Membership for yourself or family, or as a gift for friends. For this, you obtain free admission to three Show days in total per year, VIP Parking, Members VIP Areas at the Malvern Spring Gardening Show, Royal Three Counties Show and Malvern Autumn Show. Most importantly save some money!

Up close and personal with the sheep

I’ll be back in two weeks with my second Show preview, and look forward to welcoming you again, Meanwhile, do also follow the posts of sheep-loving young farmer Jack, in Jack’s Blog. And for all aspects of the Show continually updated visit the Royal Three Counties Show website.

In between Shows and an announcement

My tiny hand-made 'Malvern Jotter'

I was back at the Showground yesterday and it hardly seems possible that so short a time ago I was heavily into writing about gardening. All those beautiful gardens are no more, though I spotted the odd olive tree looking somewhat forlorn by the roadside. The positive news is that I will be back very shortly with news of the next major Show at the Three Counties Showground. Meanwhile, you might like this little sketchbook page which I created at the Spring Gardening Show in my tiny hand-made jotter.

watching the bees - and honey for sale

Visitors to the Spring Gardening Shows may not be fully aware of just how exciting is the  June show  (14th-16th) featuring 'food, farming and the countryside' - known previously as the Three Counties Show, but now with a royal seal of approval it has become the 'Royal Three Counties Show', and vastly augmented in its new status.

Delicious organic cheese - time for a tasting

Yesterday, I was asked to preview this Show as well as the gardening shows and whilst I am getting to grips with all the exciting things on offer, here is a tiny taster of what you may expect. There is so much to cover in the short time available - informative and above all full of family fun, and incredibly good value if you purchase family tickets in advance.

Top quality animals can be viewed at close quarters

From fabulously fresh regional food to dancing sheep; grand parade of livestock and lifestyle farming; equestrian events, country pursuits village, discovery zone and rural skills; shopping opportunities galore plus a full programme of entertainment, there is something for everyone, young and old alike.

Images from past June shows, before acquiring 'Royal' status

I'll be posting more news on Friday, once I have assimilated all that is on offer. Apart from my view of things, do read Jack's Blog. Jack is an enthusiastic young farmer who is definitely going places whilst writing regularly about his farming experiences. He owns his very own Suffolk sheep and hopes in the future to expand his flock and produce meat to sell and eat. Don't miss what he has to say. (And do make a diary date with me late Friday for the first proper preview of the 'Royal' - tickets available to visit the show by clicking the ticket on the right.

Shopping Spree & Wish List

Quality shopping in the Elgar Arcade

I have hardly had time for a spree, but from the streams of visitors leaving the Showground on their way back to the car park yesterday evening, laden with plants and equipment, they must have had a field day. But I did still manage my shopping ‘fix’ without which I would have felt cheated. Blogging away all day in the Press Room (or at least preparing posts) does not leave much time for spending money.

This year there were for me some delightful new surprises – and I have to say here that this is not a round-up of what is on offer at the Show (that came in my Shopper’s Paradise post of 19th March, which from the statistics seems to have been highly popular). No, what follows is what I sought, and what I happened upon.

A touch of nostalgia

In the re-vitalised Eco area near the Brown Gate was first-time exhibitor, Long Toms, who specialise in reclaimed vintage hand-made terracotta pots. I have a passion for old planters, but no way could we fit any into the car this time, so these are an item on my ‘wish’ list, which grows gradually month-by-month.

Yet more nostalgia

Just across the way in the marquee was one of my favourite sources of unusual herbs and edible leaf plants (another passion!) – The Cottage Herbery run by dear friends Kim & Rob Hurst. There were racks of plants to tempt me (yet again!) and for first time gardeners with small gardens, planting ideas some of which were beautifully presented in unusual containers supplied by Tansy Tulip. I need to find time to re-visit the stand today, as I meant to buy one of the lovely photographic gift cards produced by the Hurst’s daughter, India for her own input into the business under her brand ‘Culti-Vate’. (note to self to get up early!)

A beautiful plant with an
unpronounceable name

More plants – and it’s a small world. Next to us in the exhibitors’ caravan site is the lady who runs Mandy Plants, specialising in ‘Mandevilla’ and ‘Dipladenia’. What? I am ignorant of so many plants but when I discover her husband works for the company for whom I also write a blog, I know I must investigate. Beautiful woody-stemmed, semi-evergreen, twining plants ideal for conservatory or outdoor summer patio (of which I have neither), I nevertheless challenge myself to somehow provide the right conditions. I buy one – a perfect specimen (not looking at its best on the step of our caravan). I just hope I don’t kill it.



Local plants from the Cotswolds

I’m on safer ground with my next discussion in the Floral Marquee at Cotswold Garden Flowers. Who says you shouldn’t grow Cow Parsley? Invasive as it self-seeds all too easily but heads can be cut off when the seed sets. But it wasn’t the common wild variety which was of interest but Anthriscus sylvestris ‘Raven’s Wing’ which caught my fancy, with dark almost black leaves and more delicate creamy umbels than in the hedgerow plant. Perfect for wilder areas of the garden.

We were all hungry in the Press Room!

By now, late morning, hunger sets in amongst those journalists still filing copy. My photographer husband is sent forth for food and drink, and returns with Welsh chicken and leek pastries, a magnificent fresh cheese baguette and local farm butter from the Artisan Food Market; and for quaffing, an inestimable dry cider from Ralph’s Cider & Perry.

My fabric 'fix'

So to the other side of my creative life: a love of textiles, collage, and hand-made sketchbook journals. Imagine my excitement when a hand on my shoulder turned out to be that of the owner of Natura Leigh who sell amongst other items the most marvellous French chambrey fabrics, vintage print ribbons and floral print wooden buttons. (They’ll be exhibiting again on the Showground next week at Quilts UK.)

On my wish list

On my perpetual wish list are the exquisite Historic Building in Clay exhibited under the umbrella of the Guild of Herefordshire Craftsmen by their creator Neil Spalding. Raku-fired ceramics par excellence that I always envisage (for me) as part of a mixed-media collage, machine-stitched on a paper/fabric background. I can but dream to own an original.

The most amazing book

And finally when investigating activities in the children’s Discovery Zone, I meet the most remarkable lady. Jane Smith lives just down the road on Malvern Common and has recorded the annual cycle of wildlife on the common in words and exquisite photographic images. Her book, ‘Malvern Common in Spring and Summer’ make me determined to stop the car – how much we miss when travelling by car. These are flower meadows full of wild orchids, and butterflies long-gone from most of our beleaguered landscape, yet here on the Showground doorstep. And Jane is donating all proceeds of this and other projects towards a very worthwhile charity she has set up to support local training enterprises in Gambia.

This is my penultimate post relating to the 2013 Malvern Spring Gardening Show. A summary will be posted later today, along with news of first-time-at-the-Show events – though I always make such announcements with some trepidation as a Sunday seems to be a favourite day for Blogger program maintenance, and there is nothing anyone can do about one’s inability to work online.