AL FRESCO ASPARAGUS & A PASSION FOR PASTA

It’s the return of our courtyard lunches this week (Wed, Thur & Fri) as we bask in a mini May heatwave. Some timely rain last week and the now warming soil means there’s some quiet optimism about the growing season ahead. Plans and spreadsheets containing planting schedules and bed plans are slowly being realised with real life seedlings gradually filling freshly weeded beds. Our extra polytunnel, another acre dedicated to fruit and veg growing, a few more hands on deck, and lessons learnt during the last few years should aide the ambition of greater self-sufficiency in our farm kitchen.

The asparagus crowns we planted last week will be out of bounds for a year or two, but some early  harvests from our original beds have been a recent treat. With very few local asparagus producers left nowadays, some of the freshest stalks available in the county will be featuring heavily on menus this month.

This Thursday we are hosting our first ‘Passion for Pasta’ workshop in The Old Mill. Students will be mastering a range of pasta shapes and filled pasta dishes under the expert guidance of Jack. Our workshops work nicely alongside our courtyard lunches, with the additional option to stick around for supper, or even a stay. There’s one workshop spot still available this week with the next taking place on 22nd May. We’ve also just announced another in July.

It was fantastic to see so many of you over Easter. Thank you for all your support and lovely feedback. A extra huge thank you to our incredible team, too, who went the extra mile on such a busy weekend.