The Doorstep Kitchen

In this episode we are joined by Nick Saltmarsh of Hodmedods. They grow and sell some of the most exciting beans and grains found in British soil. From carlin and ‘flamingo’ peas, to fava beans and quinoa grown in Essex, their range of rustic pulses, seeds and grains are nutritious, incredibly moreish, and found right here on your doorstep. 

 

Fergus The Forager joins us with tips on the edible parts of birch trees, including how to tap them for their nutritious sap.

 

https://www.doorstepkitchen.com/

https://www.doorstepkitchen.com/podcast/foraging-with-fergus

https://hodmedods.co.uk/

 

3 foodie things on your doorstep:

https://guide.michelin.com/gb/en/article/features/england-scotland-and-ireland-s-new-one-michelin-star-restaurants

https://www.townsendrestaurant.co.uk/

https://thenooklondon.co.uk/

https://chameleon.london/

This episode features a chef-come-farmer who has worked in some the UK’s top restaurants such as Fera at Claridge’s Hotel (now closed) and Simon Rogan’s L’Enclume in the Lake District. In partnership with Natoora, he’s now spearheading regenerative methods of farming across 120 acres of land in Cornwall and growing amazing produce that can be enjoyed across the UK. Dan talks about his journey to Melilot Farm, his methods of farming, future plans, and what he’s growing and why. 

 

Fergus The Forager joins us with tips on where to find and how to cook crab apples. 

 

https://www.doorstepkitchen.com/

https://www.doorstepkitchen.com/podcast/foraging-with-fergus

https://www.lenclume.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/chefdancox/

https://www.natoora.co.uk/inside-natoora/farming/melilot.php

 

3 foodie things on your doorstep:

https://goodeats.io/DarjeelingExpress

https://www.corebyclaresmyth.com/core-at-home/

https://cartografiechocolate.com/

This episode features renowned chef Richard Corrigan. Richard is a stalwart for British and Irish seasonal food and an ambassador for the hospitality industry. He’s run Michelin-starred restaurants and the century old Bentley’s in Mayfair, and he’s even cooked for the queen. Richard is also the proud owner of the 150 acre estate Virginia Park Lodge in the Republic of Ireland, as well as Corrigan’s Mayfair and Shoreditch’s Daffodil Mulligan. 

 

We speak about his love for fish and seafood, particularly oysters, as well as his notorious soda bread, growing up in Ireland and his favourite seasonal food. There’s also some inevitable chat on coronavirus and the hospitality industry – please note this was recorded on 4th December so a little of our conversation may seem out of date as the tiers are changing so quickly.

 

We also speak about Richard’s love for Irish meat, black pudding, wild game and sea fishing, before diving into Christmas. It becomes very apparent that Richard LOVES Christmas so it is extremely disappointing that his London restaurants will be shut for the festive period. 

 

Fergus joins us to speak about the abundant, and tasty, reedmace that I’m sure you’ve seen on riverbanks and beside ponds; the shoots, starchy root and pollen that can all be used in cooking.

 

https://www.doorstepkitchen.com/

https://www.doorstepkitchen.com/podcast/foraging-with-fergus

https://www.virginiaparklodge.com/

https://www.bentleys.org/

https://www.daffodilmulligan.com/

 

Richard mentions:

http://www.hannanmeats.com/

https://www.irishherefordprime.com/

https://www.inchhousepudding.ie/

http://www.jacksonboxer.com/

 

3 foodie things on your doorstep:

https://bakersbristol.co.uk/

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/sainsburys-mince-pie-wheats-500g

Story on post-Brexit food prices – see Episode 1 and 2 of Series 2 and Series 1 Episode 7 for ideas on British versions of imported ingredients 

My guest on this episode is a chef, grower of delicious produce, baker, and food sustainability advocate. She is the proud owner of 20 hens and the co-founder of London-based veggie supperclub Knuckle. We chat about her work as Food & Sustainability Director, her chickens, starting an edible garden, eating more sustainably, as well as mushroom foraging. 

 

Fergus joins us with an explanation of the Strawberry Tree.

 

https://www.doorstepkitchen.com/

https://xanthegladstone.co.uk/

https://fergustheforager.co.uk/

https://www.thegoodlifeexperience.co.uk/

https://www.glendyecabinsandcottages.com/

https://www.hawardenestate.co.uk/

https://www.theglynnearms.co.uk/

 

Xanthe mentions: 

https://www.capewrathoysters.com/

https://farmerama.co/

https://www.thehappytummyco.com/

 

3 foodie things on your doorstep:

https://springrestaurant-shop.co.uk/

https://rivercafe.co.uk/

https://www.hannahwatters.com/

On this episode we speak to sheep farmer Matt Chatfield. He is giving sheep that are no longer deemed fit for breeding, a great retirement and by doing so is producing probably the best mutton you will ever taste. His ‘cull yaw’ has actually been compared to jamón. Matt also chats about silvopasture, rewilding, regenerative agriculture, and farming in Cornwall. 

 

Fergus The Forager chats about jelly ear mushrooms, a common fungi found on the elder tree, giving us some great ideas for cooking them in both a sweet and savoury way. 

 

https://www.doorstepkitchen.com/

https://www.cullyaw.com/

https://fergustheforager.co.uk/

 

Matt mentions: 

https://philipwarrenbutchers.co.uk/ - his butcher in Cornwall 

http://tozino.co.uk/

https://ikoyilondon.com/

 

3 foodie things on your doorstep:

https://www.christmas.boroughmarket.org.uk/

https://mrestaurants.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/petite_glaze/

This episode features Gregorie Marshall, Master Salter at Blackthorn Salt. They are harnessing the sea on the west coast of Scotland and trickling the seawater down an incredible graduation tower stuffed full of blackthorn – aka sloe. It’s a shame I can’t visit the unique structure for myself which is a first in the UK, but I do have a box of their salt in the kitchen which I use to finish dishes and in salted caramels. 

 

Fergus The Forager chats about one of his favourite winter mushrooms, the wax cap.  

 

https://www.doorstepkitchen.com/

https://www.blackthornsalt.co.uk/

https://fergustheforager.co.uk/

 

3 foodie things on your doorstep:

https://www.lyleslondon.com/

https://www.ocado.com/products/louis-pommery-england-brut-392050011

https://www.theponyandtrap.co.uk/

This episode features Mark Hix, one of the greats of British food. He a celebrated chef, restaurateur and food writer known for his original take of British gastronomy. He has unrivalled knowledge of local fish and seafood, has a whopping 12 cookbooks to his name, and even received an MBE in 2017 for his services to hospitality. We speak about coronavirus and the effect on the hospitality industry, including own restaurants which have been hugely impacted. Topics also include Mark's love for seafood and fishing, his food philosophy, how best to cook fish and Mark gives us some ideas for using the lesser-known fish we can find in the UK. 

 

Fergus The Forager gives us a great introduction to hogweed. 

 

https://www.doorstepkitchen.com/

https://fergustheforager.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/markehix/

https://theoysterandfishhouse.co.uk/

3 foodie things on your doorstep:

https://www.shopcuvee.com/collections/take-cuvee

https://shop.thenewtinsomerset.com/categories/cyder

https://gailsbread.co.uk/order/hampers-gift-boxes/602-breakfast-in-bed-hamper.html

 

Producers and suppliers that Mark mentions: 

https://www.blackcow.co.uk/

https://www.call4fish.com/

https://www.somersetciderbrandy.com/

https://castlewoodvineyard.co.uk/

https://lymebaywinery.co.uk/

https://furleighestate.co.uk/

https://langhamwine.co.uk/

https://dorsetoysters.com/

https://www.dorset-shellfish.co.uk/

This episode features Zak Frost, founder of Wiltshire Truffles, purveyors of English and global truffles, supplying the best restaurants across the country. We’ll learn what a truffle actually is, how their dogs find them, the different types we eat, what makes a great truffle, why truffle is actually great used in desserts, and the hard truth about truffled products.

 

Fergus The Forager talks about sea buckthorn, a spiky coastal bush whose berries pack a tropical punch.  

 

https://www.doorstepkitchen.com/

https://wiltshiretruffles.com/

https://fergustheforager.co.uk/

 

3 foodie things on your doorstep:

https://www.the-connaught.co.uk/restaurants-bars/connaught-bar/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/10/22/british-food-drink-given-authenticity-logos-stop-foreign-copy/

https://www.goodsixty.co.uk/borough-market

This episode features Gabe Cook, an award-winning cider expert with over 15 years experience. Gabe is a cider writer, teacher, judge, and he’s even written a book about the wonderful drink. We’ll learn what cider really is, the common misconceptions, the different styles we can discover, some great brands to try, and some ideas for cider-fuelled drinks for Autumn and Winter. 

 

Fergus The Forager talks about rosehips, an autumnal treat full of Vitamin C.  

 

https://www.doorstepkitchen.com/

https://fergustheforager.co.uk/

https://www.theciderologist.com/

https://discovercider.com/

 

3 foodie things on your doorstep:

https://fakeycakey.com/

https://philipwarrenbutchers.co.uk/

https://www.thelittlebluedoor.co.uk/

 

Places and producers mentioned in interview with Gabe Cook:

https://rosscider.com/

https://www.westons-cider.co.uk/

https://www.oliversciderandperry.co.uk/

https://thefinecider.company/

https://craftynectar.com/

https://www.scrattingscraftcidershop.co.uk/

https://www.cideronline.com/

https://www.eebriatrade.com/

https://sxolliecider.com/

http://thornboroughcider.co.uk/

https://caledoniancider.com/

Welcome to Series 2 of The Doorstep Kitchen! After a few months break, we are back with 10 more episodes where we continue to discover our great British produce. From cheese to cider, seafood to truffles, there is much to learn in this series about what is growing and being cooked right here on our doorsteps. We also have a new forager so welcome Fergus Drennan aka Fergus the forager, and at the beginning of each episode I will be giving you a little update on new food and drink products, restaurants and events.

 

This episode features cheese expert Sam Wilkin. A fellow podcast host, Sam is a hub of knowledge and even a cheese judge. Topics include how coronavirus has affected the industry, which cheesemakers to visit, what is raw cheese and where can it be found, and Sam gives us the names of some of Britain’s best cheeses – those mentioned are listed below. We also dive into the world of cheese pairings and Sam offers his thoughts on vegan cheese.

 

Fergus the Forager talks about beefsteak mushrooms, a great one for beginners.

 

https://www.doorstepkitchen.com/

https://cellarman.co.uk/

https://fergustheforager.co.uk/

 

Places and producers mentioned: 

https://drink-mary.com/

https://www.daffodilmulligan.com/

https://samsriverside.co.uk/

https://www.thecheesebar.com/

https://fenfarmdairy.co.uk/

https://www.stjamescheese.co.uk/

https://www.thecourtyarddairy.co.uk/

https://www.mrskirkhamscheese.co.uk/

https://www.montgomerycheese.co.uk/

https://www.blackwoodscheesecompany.co.uk/

https://parkfarm.co.uk/

https://www.theoldcheeseroom.com/

https://www.alsopandwalker.co.uk/

https://www.lafromagerie.co.uk/

https://www.paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk/

https://twobelly.co.uk/

https://www.cornishgouda.co.uk/

https://www.quickes.co.uk/

https://www.whitelake.co.uk/