A food foraging introduction

Last week I had an unusual client meeting with a food forager.  

I made the trip over to see the lovely Ernst and Sarah at The Lord Clyde to take a photo for their forthcoming foraging event.  The foraging extraordinaire, Matt Normansell from Eden Wild Food came along too. 

Straight away we were bowled over with Matt’s impressive knowledge of all things wild.  He told us about his regular foraging patches, the effects that photosynthesis have on flavour and making seemingly inedible plants edible and his recent foraging trip to America too.

I’d never really appreciated just how much knowledge is required for safe and effective foraging.  Matt used no end of Latin, biological terms and scientific processes (its own language of sorts) and all three of us couldn’t fail to be intrigued and impressed in equal measure.

In the short amount of time we were together Matt managed to find a selection of wild cress in The Lord Clyde's garden.  I certainly hadn’t expected we’d be foraging then and there but a quick taste showed me how innocuous plants (or what I thought were weeds if I’m honest) can be perfectly edible and full of flavor.  The cress was rich with peppery and lemon flavours.

It’s clear that anyone attending the foraging event on 21st May is in for a treat.  We’ll be taken on a lovely countryside walk led by Matt, who’ll explain the foodie finds along the way and advise novice foragers what to look out for.  Then chef patron Ernst will turn the finds into a wonderful three-course lunch packed with seasonality and flavour.

The Lord Clyde has already made its name by doing things differently and the foraging lunch is the perfect example.  The only pub in Cheshire to hold three AA rosettes and one of only four North West establishments in the Gastropub list, The Lord Clyde is expecting to attract food foraging novices and hungry walkers from across the region.

I for one will be armed with my notebook, wellington boots and a good appetite.  This is a Saturday morning that promises to be packed with taste, inspiration and a good dollop of learning too.  Will I see you there?

To book tickets or to find out more contact The Lord Clyde on +44 (0)1625 562123
Food foraging at The Lord Clyde in Kerridge takes place on Saturday 21st May 2016, priced at £50 per ticket. The event starts at 10am with arrival drinks before guests enjoy a foraging canal walk, returning to the pub at 12.30 for a three-course lunch.