Apley Christmas Food Fair today & Craft Fair tomorrow

Award winning chef of the King & Thai, Suree Coates, Midlands Chef of the Year

We were safely inside the heated marquees of Apley Farm Shop’s Christmas Food Fair, as some wet & windy winter weather arrived this afternoon. Agata of AgWa Media & I were actually rather pleased, as we’ve been waiting weeks for some really wintery days to film for the fourth season of our “Year at Apley” film.

A Taste of Game supplied a fabulous, very professional kitchen in which we held a programme of cookery demonstrations, organised by chef Derrin Westmacott of Bakers & Cooks in Bridgnorth. On of the demonstrations, using Apley Walled Garden veg, was by the winner of the Midlands Chef of the Year award, Suree Coates. AgWa Media & A Decent Exposure, took some great photos & film footage throughout the day which I’ll share when they’ve reached me.

At the same time, Steve was also busy taking professional photos for our newly launched online shop, the Apley Farm Shop DeliShop. It’s Click & Collect with some home deliveries direct from third party suppliers.

Head chef Matt carved a hog roast, Lora had got the farm shop itself looking lovely, brimming with Christmas supplies. Fresh from winning their new sausage award, Apley butchers Craig & John laid on fabulous displays of tasters including their handmade game terrine.

Customers enjoyed tasters from local producers of Shropshire fine foods mulled wine including Belvoir, Taste of Game crisps, Tilley Green coffee, Peter’s Yard crackers, Martin Moyden handmade cheeses, Heartsease drinks, Belle’s butters & Apley Estate’s new tenant, the Hop & Stagger brewery. Our own staff offered Apley tasters & our local deer expert (who works for the Apley Estate property team) shared his immense knowledge.

EKO birthday party hamper

Mid-afternoon, I bumped into Natasha & Michelle of EKO (Educating Kids Outdoors) who had popped in to pick up some tomato sauce. It was the last ingredient for the picnic hamper (which the farm shop & café provide) they were taking on a very blustery birthday party on our Skylark Nature Trail !

As a totally free event, with no entry fee, free parking, free demos & free tasters, it certainly provided a great day out. Apley Craft Fair is tomorrow, Sun 29 Nov (not 5-6 Dec), 10-4pm, also with free entry.

Chef Derrin Westmacott demonstrating cooking with partridge. Later, he also demonstrated cooking with duck