ABOUT DORSET
FOOD & DRINK
MENU
C
is s ue fiv e
Dorset
hristmas is coming. Be prepared. That’s the
only way to make it through this festive season
of food relatively intact, according to the chefs
we spoke to (p.39). Now, as much as we love
Christmas – it has pigs in blankets for a start – if you’re
orset
Food
the designated cook in your house, what
should
be & Drink is a county-wide initiative
a sugar-dusted dream of a holiday can
turn
ofquickly
the Dorset
Area of Outstanding Natural
stressful enough to disintegrateBeauty
your paper
crown with and is hosted by Dorset County
Partnership
fearful perspiration. There’s lotsCouncil.
to think about.
AsFrom
well as our excellent members, whose
what to serve on the big day (turkey? goose? beef?) to
details are in this guide, we have a number of great
which potentially torturous method you’re using to cook
supporters and partners. These include…
it, the decisions come as thick and fast as the crowds of
people you need to feed.
Dodson, the largest solicitors and advisors
So this issue of Menu is here,Porter
like an enthusiastic
in
Somerset
and Dorset with a strong history
sous chef, to help with your prep. We have turkey
working
with
the food and drink sector. They work 3
cooking tips (p.8, p.32, p.39), and
recipes for
an entire,
lovely Christmas meal – Starter,
Mainus
andto
Dessert
in
with
champion
the region’s growers,
The Cook Book (p.29). Don’t slog
around theand
shops,
producers
supporters.
Christmas shopping. We have present ideas for food
lovers (p.20), dates for Dorset’s thriving local producer
NFU Mutual is one of the UK’s leading insurers
markets (p18) and some Michelin-starred chutney for a
with
such great expertise in protecting businesses in
hand-made gift (p.36). If all gets too much, close your
the Hospitality,
kitchen and eat out. There are recommendations
for Food and Drink and Retail sectors.
This
expertise
and commitment to providing local
where to go for Christmas dinner (p.39) and any special
HO HO! to deliver tailored
Every week across Dorset, youoccasion
can find
a
service
enables
NFUHO
Mutual
(p.53). So treat yourself
Robin Alway
– you at
deserve
it – and have solutions to Dorset Food
& Drink and its members.
wonderful range of fresh produce
Dorset
Group Editor
a
great
Christmas!
Farmers’ Market. From freshly roasted coffee
Who we work with…
D
Dorset Farmers’
Markets
Fresh, seasonal, local produce
beans to seasonal fruit and vegetables,
sustainably caught fish and shellfish to
traditionally farmed lamb, pork and beef, you
can buy the best Dorset produce at a market
near you. Russell
Supporting
local producers
helpsPhillips'
to
Brown
Miriam
media presence
is
our
regular
support the
local economy and reduce
food miles.
now extends to
Michelinwww.thedorsetfarmersmarket.co.uk
the airwaves
starred chef
Contributor Elves
who now runs
the Creative
About Cuisine
consultancy. He’s
just back from the “ fantastic” Eat
Jersey food festival, is working on
recipes for cavolo nero and
clementines (possibly not in the one
dish) and then heading to Padstow
for a guest chef dinner and a demo
at the Christmas festival. His
chutney on p.36 would be a great
present for any foodie friends.
Dorset Wildlife Trust has helped us build links
with the Dorset coast’s fantastic suppliers of
sustainable seafood, as well as having a close
interest in producing fantastic meat as well as
wildlife benefits through conservation grazing.
Tom East
Sophie Atherton
has always
been
is an acclaimed Maurward
Hix
Academy
and Kingston
a traditionalist
beer writer and
are partners from
the education side,
College
when it comes to
the first woman
training
generations
of chefs,
Christmas.and
It’s inspiring the
in next
the UK to
be
turkey
all
the
accredited
as
a
food innovators, farmers and growers.
as she pops up
on BBC Radio
Solent’s
way for him and
beer
Breakfast in
he speaks fondly
sommelier. A
arefrom
alsohis supported
magazine
and
Dorset show to chat about local We
of birds
home county of bygroup
of people who
knowwebsite
their
food. That’s when she’s not busy Menu
Norfolk. Dorset,
But as it’s Christmas
beer,
our
Members
of
Parliament,
FoodLover magazine, the
finding country pubs now
we’re letting that pass.
made her their Beer Sommelier of
Times
Recorder
and the
online
magazine
Autumn is here. Bravely, given
However, after speakingFine
to A
the Year in
2013. However, she
Pepper
Chef
and
Cookery
the approaching festivities, she’s White
Taste of Game,
he’s tempted
to try Academy
has absolutely no time
for novelty
also looking for healthy food and School.
a Venison Wellington for the first Christmas ales. She instead
great children’s menus for her
time. Funny you should mention
recommends some local brews that
two toddlers. Do share an H [