Flavours of the Forest

What a night!

New Forest Collection partnered with New Forest Marque to host the very first Flavour of the Forest event at our wonderful Burley Manor. An opportunity for over 20 members to meet one another and talk all things New Forest.

New Forest Marque Director and our very own Garry Baldwin recalls “It was a great event with 80 some guests celebrating what’s best about the forest. The feast of flavours, created by our chefs, showcased a range of dishes each supplied by a new forest marque member. Guests conversed all things New Forest, from commoning to fruit production, cheese to honey and even cider distilling.

It was great to see so many of our new forest community joining together after what has been an extremely tough time for all industries. Together we hope to provide support, a sense of community and a greater appreciation of what truly is quality, local, on our doorstep, produce.”

The evening began with a selection of appetisers crafted from locally sourced, marque accredited suppliers including; Watson’s of Norleywood Honey, Lightfoot’s Farm, New Forest Wild Mushrooms and Bells Herbs and Edible Flowers. Alongside Wyrd Gin, Brookhill Farm and New Forest Spring Water who supplied a number of drinks and refreshments for the evening.

Following this, Chairman Dan Parson, Garry Baldwin, as well as Krysia from Watsons of Norleywood Honey spoke passionately about the Marque’s mission and their desire to supply the best of New Forest produce and service to the local community and visitors.

After the mingling drew to an end all guests were invited into our original barn, where the fire was lit and the tables were set for the feast of all feasts. Aldershot Mill, Harrow Wood Farm, New Forest Fish and Shellfish Company, alongside New Pastures Catering Butchers supplied the finest of ingredients and all exclaimed about the quality of the menu. Throughout, Andrew Parry- Norton from Commoners Larder, Sandy from New Forest Fruit Company and David Smail from Lyburn Farmhouse Cheese spoke highly of the environment in which their products are grown, reared and curdled.

To conclude the evening, the finest sweet treats were served from Lightfoot’s Farm, New Forest Fruit Farm, New Forest Shortbread and Dotty Biscotti.

The evening was a triumph and a great excuse to put the year behind us and look forward to a future filled with the forest’s finest flavours. To find out more about Flavours of the Forest please see New Forest Marque’s most recent blog post.

Thank you again to the New Forest Marque for a wonderful evening.