Life is a funny thing sometimes. You find your path but, for whatever reason, you deviate from it and explore other avenues, only to come full circle and back to your chosen way in life. Nowhere is that more true than with John Hemmant from Chet Valley Vineyard in Bergh Apton. Norfolk’s original winemaker John and his wife, Bridget, are behind the iconic Skylark range that is enjoyed by so many, but few realise that John had a vineyard here back in the 1990s. I speak to this dedicated couple to find out more about Chet Valley, John’s deep-rooted passion…
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Continue ReadingWhen I was on MasterChef, I talked about my novel – Jilly Cooper style and set in the world of the Arabian horse. I am delighted to share that one of my lockdown projects was to publish Sandstorm and it is now available in print as well as online. Against the mystical backdrop of the Middle East and the show-rings of Europe, Sandstorm is set in the exciting and mysterious world of the Arabian horse. It follows the Arabian showing circuit, with trainers cavorting at each show – with their own wives and girlfriends often taking a back seat in…
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Continue ReadingThere are very few people in the world who have that lightbulb moment as a child, realising at a tender age the exact path that they need to be on. But for Gill Thompson, one half of Sytch Farm Studios, that moment came when she was just five years old. Playing with clay in a school class, Gill could see her future – designing and making beautiful ceramic plates and pots to be eaten from and enjoyed, and her path was set. Move on a few years with her talented husband Jon by her side, with his breath-taking woodwork skills,…
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Continue ReadingThe Boars in Spooner Row has a rich history within Norfolk, especially since Chef Patron Simon Turner and his partner Jenny Hay took over 18 months ago. With the lockdown rules easing, Simon invited me along to check out their food and I took my parents as well so that we could enjoy the full Boars experience. And we were not disappointed. Simon Turner is perhaps best known in Norfolk for the Elm Hill Brasserie, a very popular eatery and where Simon honed his skills as a chef. Having spent time in France as a child, as well as living…
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Continue ReadingThe Norfolk Foodie Series: Norfolk Gin The height of June saw Norfolk’s original gin, and my own personal favourite, celebrate its fifth birthday. With the first bottle sold in 2015, Norfolk Gin has gone on to sell almost 1,000,000 tots of their herbaceous and aromatic spirit. Founded by Alison and Jonathan Redding, Norfolk Gin is a firm favourite on the food and drink scene – with their delicious spirit found in everything from chocolates and chutneys to candles! I speak with this vibrant couple about their passion for Norfolk, why they chose gin, and the milestones that have meant so…
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Continue ReadingFrom Wednesday 8 July, Old Hall Farm at Woodton will be re-opening their café following the closure of hospitality following the COVID-19 pandemic. Old Hall Farm already has an extensive outside seating area but they will be opening the café on a limited basis from tomorrow. Owners Rebecca and Stuart Mayhew have chosen to limit occupancy to 20 covers inside and 20 on the patio, both of which offer a select and delicious menu including specials. All seats inside will need to be pre-booked, although you can request a patio table if you wish. In addition, there is the picnic…
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Continue ReadingFlint Vineyard has created a huge stir in the world of wine since they launched in 2016. Run by Hannah and Ben Witchell, this husband and wife team have truly taken the wine scene by storm, winning international awards, becoming regulars in both wine and weekend press, and also stocked by the prestigious wine merchants, Berry Bros & Rudd in London. Flint Vineyard has literally risen from the ground to being a world-class vineyard, and they are a true celebration of the positivity that is the food and drink scene here in Norfolk. I talk with Hannah to get the…