Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2009 | Page 107

FOOD & DRINK life Briddlesford Lodge Farm Shop of the year The winner of the Island Life Food and Drink Awards Farm Shop of the Year was Briddlesford Lodge Farm Shop. “We were so pleased to get the award, and it was especially good that Paul Murphy, the butcher who is based in our shop, also got an award,” says Louise Griffin who runs the shop with loving attention to detail. “We were up against the Garlic Farm and Farmer Jack’s, but I don’t really consider them to be rivals. I think our rivals are the supermarkets, that’s who we’re up against.” Louise puts their success down to the quality of her stock, and her staff. “You expect your best friend to remember that you took your dog to the vet last week – well Bob chats to our customers as he serves them, and next time he sees them asks about how they got on. He knows most of the customers by name, and they really like that.” The award, proudly on display, has not gone unnoticed by customers. For those who have not visited Briddlestone Lodge Shop, it is like walking through a barn door and finding yourself in some London food hall. The sheer variety of goods – from rum truffles to Island wine, from Yum bars to cauliflower – is breathtaking. And all is Island produced , sourced or grown. “If you keep your ears open you hear about new things and new places,” says Louise. Oil of Wight – a branded rapeseed oil by Caroline Smith – has been seized upon by the customers, and Louise has also made a liaison with the nuns of St Cecilia’s, whose produce is now stocked in the shop. The warmth of the atmosphere in the shop is quite tangible when you walk in, and it is clear why customers are unlikely to come only once. The next thing on the agenda is the café, which is due to open in March. “We’ll be serving light lunches, traditional English fare. Loads of our customers have said they’re looking forward to when it opens,” Louise says. Open Mon – Sat 10am – 6pm, Sun 10am – 4pm Briddlesford Lodge Farm Shop, Wootton. Tel: 884650 E-mail: [email protected] The Island's new funky radio station www.wightFM.com 107