That country philosophy has gained a reputation since 2001 and my 'pantry' has flourished. Nonetheless, all of our produce continues true to description, made fresh with unhurried care in traditional ways to give a food its full taste and individuality, the aim - appeal to all five senses and surpass expectation with foods tasting as they should.
Palm Grove Valley with its clean environment, green paddocks, bush and fresh air can't fail to inspire; country flora and fauna rejuvenate and make gastronomic juices flow with ideas.
Our lime trees blossomed so that my Lime & Lady Grey tea biscuits naturally followed in the footsteps of the Cheese Biscuits.
Recent requests by the health-conscious have prompted the latest 'pantry' additions. Feedback to our new gluten and dairy free Almond Cranberry Dimples and healthy seed and nut laden Pistachio Jacks is encouraging us to create more choices.
My Nan would be chuffed. I was reared on a dairy farm 6 miles from Cheddar in Somerset, England, the home of Cheddar cheese and the Cheese Biscuit 'straws', so cream and cheese runs through my veins. Nana shared her cooking and baking prowess in our farm kitchen, traditional ways and values that now hold me in good stead at Crooked Creek. Old fashioned schooling instilled food nutrition, cooking and preserving skills.
With a farm appetite for good foods, my time in the milking parlour, dairy or creamery, orchard and kitchen expanded on those fundamental principles.
Thus Crooked Creek's pantry will shortly offer more Provisions, using seasonal and local fare of course.
I cherish this endeavour in the knowledge of 3 facts -
~ We create wholesome, pleasure-giving foods to nourish, made traditionally, without compromise.
~ Our resolve to trade only with independent retailers ensuring they benefit by offering foods absent from supermarket shelves.
~ We have succeeded although using minimal packaging - the foods speaking for themselves.
Even as Crooked Creek's 'pantry' grows, my environmental conscience will remain foremost… the valley here is a constant reminder as well as my pantry's inspiration.
