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Richard Sim's Autumn Diary

2007-10-14

Autumn is the best time to be a chef! Especially in the Indian summer that we are currently enjoying.

Most of the staples are at their very best: Heritage potatoes fresh from the fields; lamb and beef fresh from the summer hill grazing; chickens and guinea fowl fresh from their free-range fields (courtesy of Blagdon Farm). The root vegetables, leeks and onions are now at their very best and Autumn wild foods are also at their most plentiful, from the humble blackberry to the complex sloe (after the first frost is the time for sloe gin making). Also, the forests and fields are full of wild mushrooms (but please only collect if you know what you are doing!).

One ‘black spot’ in the current food chain is the foot and mouth outbreak, which seems to keep rearing it’s ugly head and has had a heavy impact on upland farmers, so now is the time to support Northumberland farmers through farmers markets and quality local butchers. My work continues with Ingram Valley Lamb, which will hopefully be available from Tesco in the near future.

For those of you who do not have the time or motivation to cook for yourselves, give us a call because it really is dinner party season! Now is a great time to get caught up with friends after the summer and before the festive season madness!

Richard Sim is Executive Chef at Fresh Element.

Summer Signings

2007-10-13

José, Rafa and Sir Alex weren't the only ones strengthening their squads this summer. We might not have the financial backing of a billionaire oligarch or former Prime Minister, but we’ve managed to land ourselves some exotic new talent worthy of any Premier League outfit...

The youngest member of the Fresh Element team, Anthony has come on board to manage Ellingham Hall, one of our most popular event venues. Anthony's youthful exuberance and seemingly boundless energy has been keeping us all on our toes this summer!

Gemma joins us from one of London’s largest caterers to manage our rapidly growing corporate client base. With over 10 years’ industry experience, Gemma is totally dedicated to ensuring our food complements your corporate event perfectly.

Events Assistant Gary is the friendly face of Fresh Element out and about. If you spot one of our vans on the roads or take a delivery from our Get Fresh at Work service, chances are you'll meet Gary.

Party at the Park

2007-10-12

We've teamed up with Astley Marquees and Ashwood Business Park to bring the North East a premier events space for Christmas and New Year parties.

Astley are transforming a unit at the brand new Ashwood Business Park in Ashington, Northumberland into a stunning Christmas party venue and we we be serving up a varierty of delicious festive dishes. Some fantastic entertainment has also been booked, with acts including vocal harmony band The Fortunes.

There are currently four dates available (15th, 20th, 21st & 31st of December) and tickets are selling fast. Prices range from £15-60/head (+VAT) and more dates may be scheduled in response to demand.

For enquiries contact the Fresh Element Events Team on 0191 226 7323 or info@freshelement.co.uk.

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