Golden Fork from the South West

GOLDEN FORK FROM THE SOUTH WEST DIZZY HEIGHTS

This Gloucester producer has restored a local gem to glory with a ruby-red jam that really is top rung.

WHEN, BACK IN 2012, Sarah Churchill set her sights on creating a jam with heritage Blaisdon Red plums, she knew sourcing this rare fruit was - quite literally - going to be a tall order.

“I wanted to create a jam that not only tasted absolutely amazing, but had great provenance and a story connected to where I live,” says the founder of The Artisan Kitchen.

She started to research locally grown fruit and her interest was piqued by the Blaisdon Red plum.

“This plum is native to Gloucestershire and has become quite rare due to a variety of factors, some of which are: demand; lack of any orchards commercially growing the fruit; and dwindling tree numbers due to age and disease. The trees are very tall and picking is not for the faint hearted when you’re up a long ladder,” explains Sarah.

Not to be deterred, Sarah contacted the Gloucestershire Orchard Trust and reached out to growers in the local area via social media.

Her search bore fruit, and she now works with two local growers who must surely have a head for heights.

“These growers provide the most amazing handpicked fruit for me. I take around half to a tonne of plums to fulfil my orders through the year,” she says.

Although it was 10 years ago that Sarah made her first test batch of Blaisdon Red Plum Jam, the taste is still firmly etched in her memory.

“It tasted incredible,” she recalls. “The flavour of Blaisdon Red plums is

I WANTED TO CREATE A JAM THAT NOT ONLY TASTED ABSOLUTELY AMAZING, BUT HAD GREAT PROVENANCE.

unique and quite unlike any other plum in the UK. The plums have a great balance of acidity and sweetness, full of natural pectin, and are perfect for jam making with an incredibly complex flavour profile. I knew at that moment this jam would become a staple in our range.”

In the intervening years, her prediction came true. Part of the producer’s core range since 2013, Blaisdon Red Plum Jam has become a perennial favourite.

“All my stockists take this jam,” says Sarah. “Locally and nearest to me, Gloucester Services have this variety front and centre at both northbound and southbound sites.” Although this particular product celebrates heritage, as a business, The Artisan Kitchen adopts a forward-thinking outlook. “Every year I like to continually improve recipes where I can and product innovation is key to the growth of the business,” says Sarah.

www.theartisankitchen.co.uk

HOW TO USE:

As a glaze for baked ham or as an accompaniment to cheese, pâté or terrine.

VOLCANO BOSS BILTONG ★

BILTONG BOSS & JERKY BOSS

WHAT IS IT? Volcano Boss biltong combines scotch bonnet peppers with a hint of pineapple, rounding off the fiery heat with a hint of sweetness. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Biltong is a healthy, high protein snack which can be eaten as is but can also be added to charcuterie boards, salads, pizzas or other savoury dishes. OTHER GREAT TASTE AWARDS (2022): Traditional Boss Biltong ★ Chilli Beef Biltong ★ Sweet Chilli/Sweet Hot Beef Jerky ★

www.biltongboss.co.uk

IBERICO FUET 150G ★★

NOEL FOODS

WHAT IS IT? A traditional Catalan mould-ripened cured salami made with outdoor-reared Cebo Iberico pork. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? The fuet makes an impressive addition to a charcuterie platter (or an indulgent snack).

www.noel.es/en/

ORIGINAL ★

PRIMAL JERKY

WHAT IS IT? Premium beef jerky made in the UK without preservatives or nitrates. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Primal Jerky can be eaten on its own straight from the bag, but can also be added to salads and noodles for quick and easy source of protein.

www.primaljerky.co.uk

SMOKED DUCK BREAST ★★

UMMERA SMOKED PRODUCTS

WHAT IS IT? Oak smoked Silver Hill duck breast WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Because it is marinated in a sea salt and raw cane sugar brine then hot smoked over oak, this duck breast is both flavoursome and succulent. Serve it on a slice of ripe pear with a light vinaigrette. OTHER GREAT TASTE AWARDS (2022): Organic Gravadlax ★

www.ummera.com

CAÑAREJAL CREMOSO ★★

BRINDISA

WHAT IS IT? Torta style Spanish vegetarian cheese with a soft and gooey centre. Made with thistle rennet. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Cut off the top and use as a dip for breadsticks or crudites. OTHER GREAT TASTE AWARDS (2022): Sarriegui Spicy Chorizo Crisps ★ Tarta de Santiago Almond Cake ★ Núñez de Prado Organic Unfiltered Extra Virgin Olive Oil ★ Finca La Barca Smoked Olive Oil ★ Pure Empeltre Black Olive Paste ★★ Folded Ibérico Bellota Loin ★ Alejandro Chistorra Chorizo ★ Galmesán, Galician Parmesan-style cheese ★★ 1605 Manchego, semi-cured ★ Tomato and Beetroot Gazpacho ★

www.brindisa.com

HIGH PROTEIN GREEK STYLE ORGANIC YOGHURT ★★

BROWN COW ORGANICS

WHAT IS IT? Organic, non-homogenised, high protein, Greek style yoghurt made by nice people using happy cows’ milk in Somerset. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Swirl into a breakfast bowl with granola, seasonal fruit and a drizzle of honey. Also works well in savoury dishes such as curries and sauces.

www.browncoworganics.co.uk

KEFIR FERMENTED GINGER YOGHURT ★★

BROWN COW ORGANICS

WHAT IS IT? A creamy, slightly tangy, organic fermented yoghurt, packed full of beneficial bacteria and flavoured with ginger. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Eat it straight from the jar, blitz into a smoothie or mix through granola with fresh fruit.

www.browncoworganics.co.uk

SPREADABLE GOATS’ CHEESE ★★

DELAMERE DAIRY

WHAT IS IT? Creamy & mild British spreadable goats’ cheese with a natural acidity and a soft, spreadable texture. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Delicious served directly from the pot on soft bread or crackers, it is also very versatile for use in recipes and baking. OTHER GREAT TASTE AWARDS (2022): Sarriegui Spicy Chorizo Crisps ★ Tarta de Santiago Almond Cake ★ Núñez de Prado Organic Unfiltered Extra Virgin Olive Oil ★ Finca La Barca Smoked Olive Oil ★ Pure Empeltre Black Olive Paste ★★ Folded Ibérico Bellota Loin ★ Alejandro Chistorra Chorizo ★ Galmesán, Galician Parmesan-style cheese ★★ 1605 Manchego, semi-cured ★ Tomato and Beetroot Gazpacho ★

www.delameredairy.co.uk

SALTED WELSH BUTTER ★

SOUTH CAERNARFON CREAMERIES

WHAT IS IT? Welsh churned butter made to an original recipe with a distinctive salty flavour. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Excellent for spreading on toast, scones and bara brith. Great in cooking, omit the ‘unsalted butter with teaspoon of salt’ on the recipe and use this instead!

www.dragonwales.co.uk

CHARLTON CHEESE ★★

GOODWOOD HOME FARM

WHAT IS IT? Charlton is a creamy farmhouse cheese with a firm texture, long, rich flavours and a tangy finish. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Perfect on its own, this cheddarstyle works well in a hearty doorstep sandwich or as the main ingredient in a cheese soufflé.

www.goodwood.com/farmshop

SEA SALTED BUTTER ★★

MEGGY MOO’S DAIRY

WHAT IS IT? A handcrafted butter churned the old-fashioned way, using Dorset grass-fed cows’ cream and a sprinkling of locally harvested sea salt. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Delicious spread on a cracker, toast or a hot cross bun. Melt it into mashed potato for extra creaminess, or slather onto warm new potatoes or steamed vegetables. OTHER GREAT TASTE AWARDS (2022): Dorset Double Cream ★ Peppered Butter ★★

www.meggymoosdairy.co.uk

YORKSHIRE BLUE ★★

SHEPHERDS PURSE CHEESES

WHAT IS IT? Creamy, mellow and moreish blue cheese made with milk from Yorkshire cows. The visually striking contrast of white and blue paste and a natural rind will complete any cheeseboard. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Slice and melt on a warm baguette or a steak. Stir into pasta or sauces to add richness, flavour and depth. Enjoy on its own or with classic accompaniments such as figs, honey, nut bread or crackers. OTHER GREAT TASTE AWARDS (2022): Harrogate Blue ★ Katy’s White Lavender ★ Olde York ★★ Buffalo Blue ★

www.shepherdspurse.co.uk