GOLDEN FORK FROM THE MIDLANDS

CHASING WELLNESS

Willy’s Live Apple Balsamic Vinegar has only just reached retail shelves but has already won a Golden Fork

SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR WILL CHASE says that his latest business foray, Willy’s Wellness, reflects the stage he is at in life.

“I’m 60-something and have recently recovered from illness,” he says. “Now I want to have fun making products that are good for people, which reflects my own outlook on life. The next chapter for me is fermenting.”

Will says that in recent years, he has learned a lot about healthy food and has been “greatly inspired” by the gut microbiome movement.

“I think fermentation is the future. It’s natural, it’s sustainable and it takes food back to how it used to be produced before modern society decided that if it wasn’t pasteurised or homogenised, it wasn’t safe.”

But it was overhearing shoppers at Whole Foods Market “raving” about the benefits of

apple cider vinegar that sowed the seed of the idea for his third venture.

“When I spoke to the buyer, he said apple cider vinegar was one of his best-selling products. I thought to myself, I’ve got 200 acres of untouched old organic orchards.”

Willy’s Apple Cider Vinegar hit retailers’ shelves in 2017, and the Willy’s line-up has since grown to take in other gut-health tonics, from daily dose shots to kombucha.

Will’s latest apple-based fermentation excursion has taken the Willy’s brand into balsamic vinegar, with the development of a product that has picked up a Golden Fork just after going on sale.

Live Apple Balsamic is fermented from over 48 wild apple varieties and aged for three years in French oak wine casks to add complexity.

“The better the cask you buy, the better the product. Beautiful tasting wood will come out in the product. We tried all sorts before settling on Bordeaux and Burgundy casks,” says Will, adding: “But the most important thing is that it is a living culture, still ‘with the mother’.”

At present, the vinegar is aged in the roof of the potato shed at the distillery but will soon be rested in the loft of a new ‘farmentary’ that is being built on the Herefordshire farm for completion by April 2022.

“The new farmentary will be right in the middle of the orchards,” says Will. “I’m very excited about opening it up to the public so people can learn more about what we do.”

www.willysacv.com

I THINK FERMENTATION IS THE FUTURE. IT’S NATURAL, IT’S SUSTAINABLE AND IT TAKES FOOD BACK TO HOW IT USED TO BE. ❞ ❞

HOW TO USE:

Use to make caramelised onions, as a glaze for mushrooms, to drizzle over veggies before roasting, or to baste meat.

QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH BREAKFAST TEA ★★

ACE TEA LONDON

WHAT IS IT? A rich, peppery and robust English breakfast tea that leaves a satisfying richness on the palate. Powerfully refreshing and satisfying. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? A full bodied English breakfast tea that’s so good you can enjoy it throughout the day. Serve with a dash of milk or a slice of lemon. OTHER GREAT TASTE AWARDS (2021): Afternoon Tea ★ Lady Rose ★ Hot Ginger Green Tea ★

www.acetealondon.com

AFTER DINNER TEA ★

GREENYPEEPS

WHAT IS IT? A beautifully soothing, organic blend of fennel seeds, lime tree leaves, rose petals, peppercorns, cloves and ginger. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Infuse the pyramid bag for at least three minutes in fresh, boiled water. Sit back and enjoy the positive benefits for your body and the planet. OTHER GREAT TASTE AWARDS (2021): Revitalising Tea ★

www.greenypeeps.com

CACAO & COLLAGEN POWDER BLEND ★

JUSPY

WHAT IS IT? This blend combines 12 amazing quality ingredients that nourish the body insideout. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Juspy is flexible food. It can be used as a shake, in a breakfast smoothie or overnight oats, as a pre/post workout protein boost and in many healthy snack recipes.

www.juspy.com

Everyday can be Special

HALMARI TEA ESTATE ★★★

TEAFIELDS

WHAT IS IT? Our bright golden tips and fi ne twisted black leaves showcase the beauty of loose leaf tea. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? This tea, once brewed for 3-5 minutes, produces a stunning copper liquor which boasts a fabulously rich and malty fl avour. OTHER GREAT TASTE AWARDS (2021): Okayti Tea Estate ★★ Classic Earl Grey ★ Jasmine Green ★★ Chamomile Flowers ★ Red Fortune ★

www.teafi elds.co.uk

ARABIKICHA ★ BILUOCHUN ★★

UNRAVEL TEA

WHAT IS IT? Transform your tea experience with our delicious, smooth green tea. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Perfect to gently wake you up on a chilly morning. Great to chill out with on a warm afternoon. Let your senses guide you.

www.unraveltea.com

WAKOEN GLOBAL

WHAT IS IT? Highest grade shaded green tea powder with free shipping. Mixes easily and is great hot or iced. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Add it to a water bottle and shake it up, or add it to your recipes. The possibilities are endless! OTHER GREAT TASTE AWARDS (2021): Asatsuyu Fukamushicha ★★ Okumidori Kamairicha ★★★ Teaet Ōsumi Yuzu ★

www.wakoentea.com

Add it to a water bottle ★★★

WNDER SIGNATURE 69% DRINKING CHOCOLATE ★

WNDER

WHAT IS IT? Drinking chocolate from a small batch modern chocolate maker. Three ingredients and championing Guatemalan cacao in a reusable ceramic jar. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Designed to melt into all types of milk including dairy-free. It has a Goldilocks quality of being indulgent, but not too sweet. OTHER GREAT TASTE AWARDS (2021): Wnder Vineyard 76% ★

www.ageofwnder.com

AS A RESTAURATEUR, MY AIM IS TO BRING HAPPINESS THROUGH AWESOME FOOD AND DRINK. GREAT TASTE CARES DEEPLY ABOUT THIS TOO - SO YOU CAN BE SURE THAT ANY PRODUCT BEARING THOSE STARS WILL BE SOMETHING DELICIOUS. ❞

Kavi Thakrar, co-founder, Dishoom