FOOD-STUFF
Feeling hungry? Find and forage among a feast of foodie events, workshops and farmers’ markets taking place in Surrey and Berkshire this week…
Easter Bread with Bake with Jack / April 4 / The Mayford Centre, Woking
In this four-hour workshop, run by Surrey’s star baker Jack Sturgess, you’ll make two stunning Italian Easter celebration breads and one great British classic, discovering exactly how good a Hot Cross Bun can be when you make it yourself. This workshop includes Jack’s recipe for classic sticky Hot Cross Buns, Tortano Bread filled with chopped salami, egg, pecorino and herbs and a fragrant sweet Pane di Pasqua, enriched with anise and citrus, complete with coloured eggs. A ticket includes teas, coffees and homemade biscuits, a proper supper with glass of wine and fresh bread, and all your breads and recipes to take home.
Find out more at www.bakewithjack.co.uk
Banstead Spring Foraging Course / April 5 & 21
There is a huge variety of edible plants in the South East; a veritable larder just waiting to be found in the hedgerows, meadows and woodlands of our green county. This fascinating walk and talk will meet at the Woodman Pub in Woodmansterne, and set off on a roughly two and a half hour walk around the village, teaching you how to identify the different edible and poisonous Spring shoots, plants, flowers and hopefully mushrooms that you find. There’ll be homemade refreshments along the way, such as hogweed and wild garlic soup and a light ‘Wild Food’ lunch back at the Woodman pub.
Find out more at www.wildfooduk.com
The Garsons Spring Food Market / APRIL 6 – 7 / Garsons Farm Shop, Esher
Get ready for a weekend of delicious seasonal food and drink, featuring a hand-picked group of speciality producers and suppliers. Soak up the foodie atmosphere in a marquee adjacent to the award-winning Farm Shop while sampling some of the best seasonal food and drink from Surrey and beyond. Try gourmet goodies and pick up inspiration for Easter entertaining and gifts. Enjoy some of Garson’s own products like clotted cream fudge, taste delicious seasonal cheeses from the delicatessen, and meet the producers of artisan quality food and drink. You can even purchase your very own Garson’s Easter hamper, available in two sizes.
For more information visit www.garsons.co.uk
English Wine & Cheese Tasting / April 6 – 7 / Albury Vineyard
English cheese has been famed around the world for generations, but thanks to independent vineyards like Albury Estate, English wine has now joined cheese as one of our most sought-after products. At this event you’ll be able to enjoy both together in the cosy barn, with a guided tasting of three if the estate’s award-winning sparkling wines, followed by a selection of the finest English cheeses. Admire views from the barn over the vineyard, or venture outside for a walk amongst the vines. With a new self-guided tour of the vineyard that’s free to enjoy, it’s a great way to find out more about them.
For more information visit www.alburyvineyard.com
Chocolate Fair at Denbies Wine Estate / APRIL 7 / Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking
The chocolatiers return to Surrey this April – in perfect time for Easter. Showcasing the most luxurious of sweet treats from local and national chocolatiers, the event also promotes wine and chocolate pairings, wine pairing and promotes ethical chocolate, support for the cocoa farmers and bean to bar creations. Enjoy browsing, sampling and buying premium chocolates. There will be stalls selling chocolates, truffles and brownies, with talks and tastings and the opportunity to meet the chocolatiers.
For more information visit www.denbies.co.uk
Easter Cupcake Decorating Workshop / April 3 / The Studio at Pisces Glass Creations, Moss End Garden Village
Come along to a fun workshop of cupcake decorating with some Easter themed cupcakes! You will each receive four ready-baked cupcakes and learn how to pipe butter cream into swirls and rosettes. You will then be shown how to create stunning novelty decorations for your cupcakes from fondant icing, and get to take your creations home with you. Everything you need will be provided for you, but just bring an apron if you want one.
For more information visit the www.theberkshirebakesmith.co.uk
Eating Well for Thyroid & Adrenal Health with Christine Bailey / April 2 / The Willow Health Restaurant & Bar, Kingston-Upon-Thames
Feeling run down, depressed and tired? Gaining weight for no apparent reason? Your Thyroid and/or Adrenal health may be compromised. Join award-winning nutritional therapist Christine Bailey for a fascinating seminar that will discuss the function and regulation of the adrenal and thyroid glands and the systemic implications of dysfunction. The seminar covers the importance of nutrients and certain foods for optimising hormone levels, dietary and lifestyle strategies that make a difference, advice on the best supplements to use and more. The seminar will finish with a delicious 2-course lunch.
For more information visit www.yourwillow.co.uk
Tudor Cookery at Easter / APRIL 6 – 22 / Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey
Henry VIII’s appetite was legendary, so it’s no surprise that his kitchens at Hampton Court Palace were the largest in Tudor England. Over 200 cooks, sergeants, grooms and pages worked to produce over 800 meals a day for his hungry household. Get an insight into the heat and hustle of the royal kitchens this Easter, and try your hand at roasting meat, helping the cooks create Tudor dishes fit for Henry’s Court. From roast beef to spiced marchpane, watch the cooks whip up an array of Tudor treats.
For more information visit www.hrp.org.uk
Sunday Brunch Club / April 7 / The Avenue Cookery School, Wandsworth
In the space of just a few years, ‘brunch’ has gone from buzzword to sacred Sunday ritual, requiring dishes that are simple yet indulgent and, if we’re honest, exactly what you need to kill a hangover. But why traipse to an expensive brasserie every weekend for your brunch fix when just a few hours at the Avenue Cookery School can set you up with recipes and techniques for life. Spend the morning learning how to make perfect Clarence Court Eggs Benedict with fresh-baked Soda Bread and bottomless Bloody Marys, or make French toast with oak smoked pancetta, berries and maple syrup with some delish homemade granola, accompanied by a stack of bellinis.
For more information visit www.theavenuecookeryschool.com
Farmers’ Markets
Guildford Farmers’ Market: April 2 / 10.30am – 3.30pm / High Street
Ham Parade Market: April 6 / 10am – 2pm / Ham Parade
Windsor Farmers’ Market: April 6 / 9am – 1pm / St Leonards Road
Haslemere Farmers’ Market: April 7 / 10am – 1.30pm / High Street
Milford Farmers’ Market: April 7 / 10am – 1.30pm / Secretts Car Park
Epsom Farmers Market: April 7 / 9.30am – 1.30pm / Market Square, Epsom
New Malden Farmers’ Market: April 7 / 9am – 2pm / New Malden High Street
Ancient Market Place: Monday – Saturday / 9am – 5pm / Kingston-Upon-Thames
Twickenham Farmers Market: Every Saturday / 9am – 1pm / Holly Road Car Park
Richmond Farmers’ Market: Every Saturday / 10.30am – 3.30pm / Heron Square
Ealing Farmers’ Market: Every Saturday / 9am-1pm / Leeland Road, Ealing
Wimbledon Farmers’ Market: Every Saturday /9am-1pm / Wimbledon Park Primary School, Havana Road
Words By: Rich Lee
Looking for more things to do? Check out more guides to going out .