Food-Stuff
Foodie news, events and farmers’ markets taking place in Surrey this October
GRAPE PICKING EXPERIENCE / THROUGHOUT OCTOBER / DENBIES WINE ESTATE, dorking
Ever wondered what it’s like to harvest grapes ready for wine? Throughout October, the award-winning Denbies Wine Estate, found on the outskirts of Woking, will be providing a snapshot of what a working day on the vineyard and winery looks like. Arrive early for bacon butties, then gain instructions from the vineyard team on the best techniques for picking, before you take your turn on the vines and help out with the harvest. Follow your morning with a Ploughman’s lunch and an afternoon spent behind the scenes at Denbies learning about the pressing process as well as sampling the fruits of your labour with an exclusive tasting session of Denbies wines.
For more information visit www.denbies.co.uk
PUMPKIN PICKING WEEKENDS / OCTOBER 13/14 / CROCKFORD BRIDGE FARM, WEST BYFLEET
Finding a suitable pumpkin to carve and create ghoulish faces from shouldn’t be an excursion solely limited to the kids, Due to the extreme heat experienced in the summer months, the pumpkin patch at Crockford Bridge Farm is Addlestone is literally bursting with the rotund and robust autumnal orange fruits. For the first time ever, the farm will be opening their pumpkin fields to the general public in order for you to seek and find your very own pumpkins fit for you and your home.
For more information visit www.crockfordbridgefarm.co.uk
HARVEST HOME / OCTOBER 7 / RURAL LIFE CENTRE, TILFORD
Tis the season to harvest! As farmer’s work overtime in order to reap what they have sewn throughout the season, give thanks for nature’s abundance of gifts at this Harvest Home event taking place at the suitably seasonal environs of the Rural Life Centre found near Farnham. Admire a bounty of food-stuffs collected from the local community of farmers and enjoy an evening of traditional barn dancing in this day and night of celebration.
For more information visit www.rural-life.org.uk
PICKLED AT PILGRIM / OCTOBER 9 / PILGRIM BREWERY, REIGATE
Want to pickle like a pro? As the months get that little bit colder and we find ourselves spending more time at home, how about learning the practice of pickling foods at this fabulous foodie workshop taking place at the pilgrim Brewery in Reigate. Begin your evening with a light bite, before you commence your pickling masterclass courtesy of the savvy folk at The Salt Box. Once your workshop is complete, tuck into a delicious dinner cooked up by The Salt Box team and sample a trio of Pilgrim Brewery beers – the perfect accompaniment to a pickle.
For more information, visit www.wearethesaltbox.co.uk
POP-UP RESTAURANT / OCTOBER 9 / THE VINEKING, WEYBRIDGE
With stores based in Reigate, Weybridge and Horley as well as well as a new store on the horizon to be based in East Molesey, the Vineking are a wine store with a difference, hosting an array of pop-up restaurants throughout Surrey. This October, book tickets and make your way to their Weybridge store as chef Jane Carnall whips up a 4-course meal of seasonal treats accompanied by a flight of 5 wines to sample and taste.
For more information, visit www.thevineking.com
BAKE WITH JACK: GREAT BRITISH BREAD / OCTOBER 11 / THE MAYFORD CENTRE, WOKING
There’s nothing quite like that sweet smell of freshly baked bread, filling your home with an air of comfort and content. Why not learn how to make and bake some Great British Bread this month with the man in the know, local baker Jack Sturgess. In this hands-on workshop based in Woking, you’ll learn how to create some truly beautiful bread-based British icons such as the English muffin, the cottage loaf, tasty tea-cakes and scones.
For more information, visit www.bakewithjack.co.uk
TASTE OF AUTUMN / OCTOBER 17 – OCTOBER 21 / RHS GARDEN, WISLEY
The popular Taste of Autumn event returns to the Royal Horticultural Society Garden Wisley from 17-21 October, to showcase some of the season’s tastiest produce and share seasonal gardening advice with visitors. More than 30 quality food and drink stalls will be exhibiting delicious goods, such as meat pies, condiments, cheese, nuts, puddings and handmade confectionery, to name just a few. Beverages will also be exhibited, with a range of ales and soft drinks available to sample.
For more information, visit www.rhs.org.uk
OKTOBERFEST GUILDFORD / OCTOBER 19 – OCTOBER 2O / STOKE PARK, GUILDFORD
Roll up, roll up and enter the Grand Bier Tent, erected for your salubrious and celebratory pleasure this October on the North side of Stoke Park in Guildford. Experience a traditional Oktoberfest as this popular Bavarian bash is brought back to Guildford for another year of frivolities and festivities. Choose from three separate sessions taking place over the course of the weekend before you enjoy a bounty of bratwurst, traditional folk music, much dancing and a stein or two of beer.
For more information visit www.oktoberfestguildford.co.uk
THE NATIONAL HONEY SHOW / OCTOBER 25 – OCTOBER 27 / SANDOWN PARK, ESHER
Who loves honey? Indulge in nature’s sweet nectar this October as the National Honey Show comes to Sandown Park in Esher. Promoting the highest quality honey and wax products with a competition involving international classes, lectures, workshops and a beekeeping equipment trade show, providing you with all you need to keep your honey bees happy.
For more information visit www.honeyshow.co.uk
THE PERFECT ROAST / OCTOBER 26 / ABINGER COOKERY SCHOOL
As alfresco dining ceases following a sizzling summer, ovens are fired near and far, ready for the long-slow roast season. Perfect your roast potato skill and learn how to make an indulgent roast dinner for you and the family at this fabulous workshop found at the Abinger Cookery School found between Dorking and Guildford. Led by master chef Jake Pinn, roll up your sleeves and get to know how to approach different cuts of meat as well as innovative ways to serve your vegetables – not to mention making a rich and flavoursome gravy, a necessary companion to any discerning Sunday roast dinner.
For more information, visit www.abingercookeryschool.com
HARVEST JAZZ IN THE CELLAR / OCTOBER 27 / DENBIES WINE ESTATE, DORKING
Savour the season and celebrate harvest time at Denbies with an evening of jazz in the cellar. Experience the atmospheric vaulted cellar at this relaxed event that includes sampling Denbies harvest wine (including first pressing), beer tasting, 2-course meal and, live jazz and dancing.
For more information visit www.denbies.co.uk
THE GREAT BRITISH GIN FESTIVAL / NOVEMBER 3 / H.G WELLS CENTRE, WOKING
The UK’s biggest Gin Festival tour is pouring into Woking this November, and it’s got everything gin lovers could possibly wish for. Prepare to have your taste buds tantalised by the 120 different gin’s chosen from around the world. Visitors will receive their very own Gin Goodie Bag containing a Gin bible, glass and sampling card. Book your space today!
For more information, visit www.ginfestivalsuk.com