It was great to relax whilst watching the amazing Ockham's Razor in the Medicine garden last weekend. I thought I would upload a couple of pictures of the event for those who missed it. If this is just a taste of things to come at The Medicine Garden then The Larder is going to have the perfect home. Here's to even more exciting events.

In the run up to opening The Larder I am saddled with the hard task of researching the market. I know, a tough job, but somebody has to do it! 

Recently I visited what for me is the pinnacle of foodie experiences Borough Market  under the railway arches near London Bridge. 

The moment you step into the market you can feel it is special. It has a buzz about it with hundreds of traders, many whom are producers of what they sell, engaging with their customers and offering a chance to try something really different .

Highlights for my friend and I included Taste of Turkey,  where Graham spent at least 10 minutes letting us try samples of his different olives and turkish delight before we finally narrowed our purchases down to some Gemlik salt dried olives, known as kuru sele, which can’t be bought anywhere else outside of Turkey and some figgy turkish delight. Next we bought some delicious Bath Soft Cheese  where I was advised how to keep it and when it would be at it’s best. Finally I bought the biggest almond croissant I had ever seen from Flour Station and needless to say that didn’t quite make it home!

This type of customer service is what we aim to provide at The Larder. If you love food and would like to find out more about what gems are available locally please come down and see us when we are open. We love to talk food and there will be plenty of tastings. If you’d like to join The Larder team and talk food on a regular basis then please do drop me a line as I am looking for some foodie part-time staff.

I love shopping at farmer’s markets. Meeting the producers, sampling the food and going home excited about what I am going to be eating in the coming week. Saying that, I am useless at remembering when they are on and family commitments often make it impossible to get down to the right field during the short period the goods are available.

At The Larder we want to bring you the feel of a farmer’s market, but available seven days per week. In store you will be able to find out loads of information about who made the food, there will be lots of tastings and our suppliers have promised to come down and let us into their secrets of making really great tasting food.  We will be located where The Garden Shop is now as once the currently derelict Hot House is rebuilt on site they are moving into the cafe’s current home and the cafe will be in the new Hot House. We can’t wait to get open!!

In the meantime we are lucky in Cobham to have our own monthly farmer’s market and I have been speaking to some of the farmers there and hope to be stocking some of their products at The Larder once we are trading. 

Why eat local? Well, on the whole products are often-

• fresher

• less processed

• create less waste

• use less energy to get to your plate

• are totally traceable from farm to fork

• support your local economy

• and........taste better!! 

We’d love to hear about your favourite local food markets so do please leave a comment and share your top places to visit.