The Apple Affair at West Dean Gardens, 2nd -3rd October
Springtime buds have been bursting; now give your taste buds a treat and sample some of the delicious treats that Chichester has to offer.
Goodwood Farm Shop, Great Food From Home
Fantastic produce is not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Goodwood, yet In the midst of the pounding of hooves, the roar of engines and other glamorous events for which Goodwood is best known, an often overlooked farm goes about its daily business. Home Farm is situated at the very heart of Goodwood and, thanks to Lord and Lady March and Farm Manager Karl Barton (who are strong advocates of using traditional methods), the farm is fast becoming a benchmark of quality for local food. A natural step for the farm was to sell the produce on site. Now enjoying its first season, to the delight of the local rural Chichester community, Goodwood Farm Shop recently opened its doors. The shop provides a rich source of traditionally reared meats, fresh fruits and vegetables straight from the farm alongside gourmet delights from external suppliers. A deli counter offers an array of fine cheeses, hearty pies and rich pates while well-chosen olive oils, vinegars and delicious chocolates nestle alongside everyday staples. Christmas saw hampers dispatched to local customers with plans afoot to offer a national service via their website www.goodwood.co.uk/farmshop.
Magical Mushrooms
The fertile Sussex Downs are also the home to an impressive variety of mushrooms, as expert forager Nik Westacott can testify. While showing huge respect to the land that produces such a rich tapestry of fungi, when conditions are sufficiently damp Nik takes groups on daytime adventures to discover which mushrooms have popped up during the previous night. Black Trompette, Cauliflower fungi, Chanterelle, Ceps and the wonderfully named Chicken of the Woods are among the delights to be found on these visits. Nik encourages selective picking, not just to protect groups from dangerous varieties but also to preserve the species, so while you won’t necessarily go home with your pockets full, you will definitely round off the day with a full stomach; Nik provides a three-course dinner incorporating several varieties of wild mushrooms! Delicious!
Catch of the Day
There’s nothing suspicious about the success of Something Fishy. This East WIttering fishmonger is perfectly positioned to make the most of the fantastic variety of seafood in the area. The seas lapping the Witterings' sandy beaches are home to a rich variety of fish including bream, bass, plaice, brill and the ever popular Dover sole, while Selsey (home to the renowned Selsey Crab) is just along the coast. As well as selling great fish to over 40 local restaurants and hotels, Adam Shaw (the driving force behind Something Fishy) puts his 22 years of fishing experience into trips for visitors and local schools. With Adam as skipper, groups of up to 8 get the chance to land a catch!
Not Run of the Mill
The engaging Weald and Downland Open Air Museum features a working 17th century water mill which processes grain from local farms using the time-honoured methods of yesterday. Their milled flour is sold to 20 local bakeries including the nearby Farmhouse Cookery, which uses the flour in their delectable Sussex Fruit Cake as well as in a tempting range of plum, carrot and chocolate cakes.
Great Old Bangers
You wouldn’t usually associate Ostrich, Kangaroo and Emu with a traditional banger but alongside more traditional varieties, that’s just what Bill O’Hagan makes at his Sausage Shop in Chichester. Some of the ingredients may be unusual but the emphasis here is on tradition and traditional methods and ingredients; spurning the reconstituted meats that go into most bangers, here fine cuts are used along with old fashioned herbs such as tansy, pennyroyal, woodruff and alecost which can be found growing on the nearby Sussex Downs. The result is a product that has been officially named the “Best Sausage in the World”.
To find out more about the foods mentioned visit www.topsausages.com, www.wealddownland.co.uk and www.farmhousecookery.co.uk. For mushroom hunts go to www.82fishbourne.co.uk. For further information about Something Fishy telephone 01243 671153.
