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FOOD NEWS -April 2008

Easter has come and gone and now we're on to April showers (not too many please!) leading to those beautiful May flowers, or so they say! With the clocks moving forward Spring is well and truly here and lots of new seasonal fruit and vegetables will make a welcome return over the next few months. This month is slightly transitional crop wise but we've seen some of the first English tomatoes already along with Cornish Earlies (our own special Cornish new potato) and some very early Cornish Asparagus. Do check out my seasonal specials page as things change thick and fast!

Spring means Lamb to most foodie's, why not treat yourself this month (along with all your holiday shopping!) to a lovely Rack of New Season Lamb. Simply follow my recipe, you'll be glad you did! In addition this month what about a lovely whole Lemon Sole (they are fabulous at the moment) simply done with some wild garlic butter. Yet another sure sign of spring is the reappearance of wild garlic leaves growing along shady country lanes and in woodland. Throw some in your next pot of mashed potatoes with a good knob of Cornish butter or toss some in a salad, (wash first!) the possibilities are endless!

This month I thought I'd write a little about our wonderful Farmers Markets here in South East Cornwall. To name a few in our back yard we have Callington on the second and fourth Friday's of the month (9am-noon) Liskeard Country market, Friday's (8.30am-11.30am) Lostwithiel Farmers market on the 7th and 21st (10am-2pm) and Torpoint Country market on Tuesday's (9.30am-11.30am). Why not pop in while you're out and about on your travels, they are great fun and its always good to get up close to the people that grow, rear, make or produce local food.

Also this month is the Exeter Food and Drink Festival, April 11th, 12th and 13th just over the border in Devon. It's the Westcountry's biggest and most glamorous foodie event headed up by Chef Michael Caines MBE of the two Michelin starred Gidlleigh Park. There are hundreds of things to see and do including cooking demo's by some of the big wheels including Peter Gorton, Lesley Waters, James Tanner, Tina Bricknell-Webb and Nathan Outlaw to name a few. Check out the website www.visitsouthwest.co.uk/exeterfoodfestival

There is loads to do, so enjoy your time out and about this April in Cornwall, not in the supermarket!

Until next month remember, you surf, we shop!

Happy Birthday Mum!

Cheers
Nick

OUT OF THE FRYING PAN AND ON TO THE ROAD
Western Morning News - 19 January 2008 written by Carol Trewin

What do you do when you tire of long hours in a busy kitchen, but do not want to leave the local food community that has grown up around you? This was the dilemma facing Nick Barclay when he decided that he wanted to spend more time with his young family and less time standing over a hot stove. After six successful, award-winning years at the Barclay House Hotel in Looe, Nick was ready to swap the 24/7 hotel and restaurant lifestyle for 'new ventures and challenges.'

"It was, he says, a question of quitting while still ahead". For the food and drink producers of South East Cornwall, the prospect of losing one of their champions must have been devastating - since arriving in the county Nick has been at the forefront of the change to serve the best local produce. Not only has he talked the talk, unlike many others he has walked the walk, they need not have worried.

"I have always embraced change and I like to be challenged by change and we came up with an idea for what has become food4myholiday, he explains". In essence this is taking the local food supply chain one step further, on to the plates and tables of holidaymakers visiting Cornwall. Having run six luxury self-catering cottages as part of the hotel he knew that visitors prefer easy options.
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