Neil's world

Summer 2009

Well folks, summer seems to be here with the produce if not always with the weather! We are now getting a steady supply of Italian white peaches, apricots and figs which are all stunning and Buttervilla has been teasing us with their Gauriagette strawberries (the best you will ever taste!) raspberries, red gooseberries, blackcurrants and the promise of the first heritage tomatoes.

Newlina is in full flow with their amazing herbs and the one I have to highlight is the summer basil -just amazing! Rob from Zucca is, as ever, surprising us with the variety in his courgettes - yellow, black, green, ribbed, Sicilian snake, and round are just some that he has available now.

Fish has sprung into summer and we now have the Cornish rod and line caught Albacore tuna (white tuna) which is going down really well in numerous dishes and hake (the Spanish think it is the king of fish) is bountiful in Newlyn at the moment. We usually rub the hake fillets with rock salt and leave for 12 hours before washing off and drying before cooking them. This firms up the flesh and creates nice firm flakes and of course there’s no need to season when cooking due to the salting process. Sea bass, crab and lobster are also cracking quality at the moment.

Meat wise, we are now using an old variety of free range chicken called a Cornish Red which as far as we’re concerned, comes out tops in our taste tests and has a firmer texture, just like chicken used to be.

As well as my blog you can now keep up with us on mycornwall.tv where we will be bringing seasonal recipes from Fifteen Cornwall to life. mycornwall.tv is a collection of online TV channels dedicated to all things Cornish and brings together the very best of Cornwall’s talent, commerce, heritage and history, and makes it instantly available to anyone. We’re working with mycornwall.tv, on their foodie channel ‘Gastronome’ which is broadcast globally and will soon be available through our own website as an embedded player. The aim of Gastronome is to bring the Cornish epicurean scene to life before a global audience, covering everything from the tastiest treats from local suppliers, to the range of beers available at the local farm microbrewery, and where to source the freshest fish and how to cook it.

With regards to our apprentices, cohort 3 graduated last month in an emotional ceremony hosted by Jamie. It was an amazing day and you can see all the pics by clicking here.

Cohort 4 are now into their stride and are off visiting our local suppliers and we are already talking about the interview process for cohort 5. Where does the time go?

That’s it for now but speak to you soon.