Cosy evenings and Christmas thoughts…

As we step into the depths of autumn, the weather encourages us to retreat indoors. Put the kettle on and join us for a while in our world of food and flowers, to read our news here in our Seasonal post.

Bonfire night is always a great excuse to gather with friends, enjoy a fire, fireworks and food. Often the simple dishes are the best and we have some ideas to help you. There is still time to enjoy the glorious array of squash which we displayed outside through October, mainly grown by our friends at Secretts Farm, Milford. Served as soup, roasted, mashed, stuffed, they are such a versatile vegetable.

In November our focus at Kingfisher is drawn to the festive period. We all know preparation is key!

Our ‘Christmas at Kingfisher’ guide is available on our website and in store to help you step by step with your own preparations. The farm shop is a haven for all food lovers from stocking fillers to indulgent hampers. If food isn’t bringing enough colour to the table then we can help with the flowers too! From single stems to overflowing arrangements. Let’s make your festive celebration merry and bright!

We are proud to say that this is our 13th year that Kingfisher Farm Shop has supported the artists in residence programme at Send Prison by selling their Christmas cards and Calendars.  All proceeds from the sales will fund further workshops at HMP Send.  The programme is funded by the Michael Varah Memorial Fund and delivered by Watts Gallery Trust. This project is a true example of the restorative power of art.

At the end of November we are hosting two wreath workshops here at the Old Bunching Shed.  It is a lovely way to start getting ready for Christmas, creating a welcome for all your visitors over the festive period.  Book your place via our website.

A little reminder, 6 December is the last day to submit your Christmas food orders.  Order forms are available if online shopping isn’t for you.  As alway, we are here to help, so don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.

Winter warmers..

It’s time to dig out those winter hats, gloves and wellies and head out to Holmbury Bonfire on Saturday 2nd November for a fabulous night under the stars.

To help keep out the cold, we’d recommend a hot toddy in a flask. Our current favourite non-alcoholic combination is Ringden Apple Juice warmed with Selsley Gourmet Mulling Syrup - absolutely delicious and no headache the next morning!

If you’re having a bonfire party yourself, we’ve got a variety of tasty sausages, cheesy baps, pumpkin bread and baking potatoes for a hearty supper.  How about making a cauldron of watercress soup to warm everyone up?  Our recipe can be found on the link below for our website, or picked up in the farm shop.

As we hunker down and get cosy this winter, it’s time to find a decent movie for a Saturday night in front of the fire.  We’ve gathered our favourite nibbles into the Movie Night Hamper that’s available to order online and would make a great Christmas gift for friends to enjoy over the festive holidays.

A match made in the dairy!

We asked our friends at High Weald Dairy if they had any tips for suitable pairings to sit alongside their tasty cheeses.  Here’s a list of their fascinating recommendations:-

COW MILK CHEESES

Brighton Blue with honey, honeycomb & walnuts

Saint Giles with thick cut orange marmalade

Sussex Velvet with pears

Smoked Ashdown Foresters with Christmas chutney

GOAT MILK CHEESE

Sister Sarah with honeycomb & figs

SHEEP MILK CHEESES

Duddleswell with gooseberry jam & quince

Smoked Duddleswell with Christmas chutney

Slipcote with strawberry jam or jam doughnut

As you can imagine, the last pairing suggestion sounded crazy to us, but in the interests of our customers we felt it had to be taste tested.  Surprisingly, we all agreed that’s it’s a perfect pairing.

If you have cheese lovers to buy for, we’ve a delicious fruit cake made especially for the cheeseboard, plus we’ve compiled a Cheese Lovers Companion Hamper that’s available to order online.

Recipes from tree to table

From the first ripe cherries in early summer to the smoky wintry notes of quince and medlar,  The Orchard Cook contains over 80 sweet and savoury recipes.

... with Kingfisher

From the tree to the turkey, let us take the strain out of Christmas.  We’ve had years of experience helping customers curate their festive celebrations, and it couldn’t be easier to order ahead.  Just hop onto our website, shop online, and select the date that you’d like a delivery or collection, or pick up a paper order form from the Farm Shop.  Please note that the cut off date for Christmas orders is Friday 6 December. For more details, please see our Christmas Guide.

We’ll be stocked with delicious Christmas delights, mince pies, Christmas puddings, citrus fruits and Brussel sprouts.   We’ve also got some useful time saving goodies to have up your sleeve over the holidays.  There’s frozen Yorkshire puddings and individual potato gratin, packets of shelled chestnuts and stuffing mixes, and a choice of delicious frozen croissants and pastries for a relaxed late breakfast.

If you’re looking for an indulgent gift for friends and family, take a look at our fabulous hamper

selection on the website.  Should you wish to create a personalised hamper, pop in, choose a selection of items, and we will package the hamper ready for collection or delivery on your chosen date.

Please note that the Kingfisher elves will be working their socks off during December, and they suggest that you preorder over the festive period to avoid disappointment, even if it’s just a loaf of bread.

Festive flower fun!

It’s a busy time of year for our talented Flower Girls as they create Christmas magic in the Flower Shop.

However you decide to dress your home for the festive season, we’re sure they will be able to help.  Colourful enamel jugs from Falcon can be filled with blazing arrangements, or there’s simple glassware for a more delicate feel.  We love it when you

return your vessels for us to replenish, no matter the season or occasion.

In addition to our wreath workshops at the end of November, you’ll find a vibrant selection of made-to-order wreaths online together with a choice of wreath making kits (with instructions) if you fancy making it yourself.  Why not get a group of chums together and make a night of it?

From bundles of foliage and berries, to merry and bright bouquets, visit onto our

website to order or pop in to speak to us directly for bespoke orders.

The Flower Girls can also be contacted through their direct email flowergirls

@kingfisherfarmshop.com

Juthan Chocolate

We asked Willem from Juthan Chocolate to tell us about his business….

What inspired you to start your business?

Like many, I love chocolate and fell in love with all its complexities during a visit to Brugge. I didn't like the 'interesting' ingredients, the grainy texture, and the lack of transparency about where and how chocolate is produced. After returning from Brugge, I started experimenting with making my own chocolate. After several attempts, I created something that made me realise I was onto something special because I loved the taste. One thing led to another, and after 18 months of trial and error, I was able to produce our chocolate consistently.

What are your plans for the future?

First and foremost, like any small business, we want to expand our reach so that more people can enjoy our luxurious chocolate. With the success of our vegan and sugar-free options, we also plan to expand into functional chocolate. Cocoa has numerous health benefits, and we aim to incorporate other beneficial ingredients into our bars.

What do you enjoy most about being a small business owner?

Seeing the satisfaction on customers' faces when they enjoy our products.

What is your connection to Kingfisher?

We approached Marion to see if she would stock our bean-to-bar produced chocolate, and she kindly gave us an opportunity to sell in the farm shop. Things are going well, and we've received amazing support from her and the Kingfisher community.

Where do you source your key ingredients?

We use single-origin organic Peruvian cocoa beans, working with a cooperative to ensure we trade ethically and responsibly.

What would you say is your signature product?

Our Coffee bar is our best seller because we make it with freshly ground coffee beans sourced from a local coffee roastery. Customers love this chocolate since the coffee is real, not the typical coffee flavour associated with coffee-flavoured products.

How have you adapted your business to be kinder to the environment?

With cheap (and free) deliveries, it is easy to order as you need. We considered the impact of this and how we can help reduce our impact. We consolidated our suppliers, and although storage is at a premium, we carry as much stock as possible to avoid having to order all the time. By taking this approach, we have significantly reduced the number of vehicles on our property.

What do you see for your business in the future?

I would love for people to associate Juthan Chocolate with luxury and quality. We plan to expand into more stores and introduce additional products to meet the needs of all our customers.

What does 'Juthan' mean, and how is it pronounced?

Juthan is the name of my sons, Julian and Ethan :) We pronounce it 'joothin'.

Congratulations from us all Willem and Juthan team for winning the Great British Food awards 2024 for your delicious coffee and dark 75 vegan chocolate.