Mike (right), our friendly local Beekeeper is based close by in the beautiful village of Surlingham, close to the river Yare. Like all Beekeepers Mike is passionate about his craft and has built quite a following which includes a number of celebrity chefs on his list of clients. Mike’s honeys include a range of very distinct local flavours, mostly based upon differing habitats within the county of Norfolk.
When Paddy and Scott (left) started roasting their own coffee on a second hand roasting machine in their garage in Earl Soham, Suffolk, they had no idea their coffees would become one of the most celebrated beverages around. What started as a hobby, producing very small batches for their family and friends, quickly turned into a major enterprise and when you taste one of their 4 very different coffees you’ll understand why.
For most locals in this area Parravani ice cream has always been somewhat of an institution since it was founded way back in 1898. Paul Parravani (right) is now the current generation to continue his family’s fine recipes from his home in Chedgrave, close to the birthplace of Green Pastures Nursery. He now produces over 40 flavours of ice creams and sorbets.
Mark (left) is a fully qualified Gamekeeper who originates literally just down the road from Green Pastures. He supplies our Wild Venison which originates from carefully managed East Anglian woodland. In 2007 Mark’s company, Bluebell Venison, was crowned the winner for the plough to plate category of the Eastern Daily Press Norfolk Food Awards. Mark’s other claim to fame is an appearance on ITV’s Marco’s Great British Feast, with Marco Pierre White who came to Norfolk to use Mark’s Venison in one of his dishes.
Sarah and Nell’s pork pies (right) really are to die for! James hated pork pies until he tasted one of theirs and now he’s hooked! From their small farm in North Norfolk they seem to have created what many have hailed the “perfect pork pie” and we’re not going to argue with that! We’re in good company too, with their pies receiving a rave reviews from Giles Coran of the The Times and their pies have won a number of awards for their superb taste.
Ian and Sue (below) produce a wide range of pork products from their family farm in Brundish, near Harleston. All their meat is produced from their own hand reared stock and they go to great pains to ensure that their animals are raised in a welfare friendly environment. When you meet Ian and Sue its instantly apparent how passionate they are about the food they produce and they can regularly be seen at farmers markets with their fine fayre. In 2001 they built a smoking room and to smoke their own gammons and bacon and have now developed a range of other speciality products under the Suffolk Salami brand.
Ruth (left) from April Cottage comes from a family who believe that good old fashioned home cooking is the basis of a good home. Her chocolate cake recipe has been passed from generation to generation and she learnt how to bake a cake from watching her grandmother who, like many of her generation, loved a good homemade cake. Ruth’s family and friends have always enjoyed her cakes and eventually word got to us how good they were and April Cottage Cakes was born.
Janet started launched her business making and selling preserves in 2004 after reading about small food producers in Country Life Magazine. She has a keen interest in cooking and gardening so her venture is the perfect combination. Her secret is fresh local ingredients; apples, plums and soft from her parents garden as well as herbs and blackberries from her own garden in Pulham Market. She makes all her preserves in small batches and is a regular face at local farmers markets where Prince Charles took particular interest in her produce in Southwold last year.
