Food heroes June.qxp_Layout 1 26/05/2017 12:32 Page 2
FOOD | HEROES
is of an extremely higher, more labourintensive standard than ever – we all have access to far better restaurants than we had back when Strawberry Field started, and now we all wish to replicate the same qualities and flair that we see on the food pages of magazines or on cookery TV shows. We have to move with the times. “The biggest trend in wedding catering over the past three years has been the massive rise in the popularity of sharing courses. We now offer circular maple boards that can be used for all kinds of antipasti and tapas dishes – sharing is now much more popular than, say, hog roasts once were. They’ve had their day now, so instead of hog roasts, we offer fabulous marinated/rubbed pork joints which deliver a vastly better, consistently tasty celebratory feast. And
people are genuinely more interested in the provenance of food than they used to be too, so we use locally-sourced produce as much as we can – we’ve relied on Terry and Son Butchers in Bath and Cirencester-based M&J Seafoods for 30 years, our eggs are from Paxcroft Farm in Hilperton, and our fruit and vegetables from Eurofresh, based in Shepton Mallet.” So when he’s not busy catering for others, where does Gary prefer to be catered to? Unsurprisingly, his foodie credentials go back as far as the start of his business does. “I’ve enjoyed Rick Stein’s philosophy on cooking since he very first started out, but going back even further than that, I always believed Anton Edelmann during his stint at The Dorchester was a total craftsman. Back in Bath, I’ve eaten wherever Dan Moon has
cheffed in the last ten years. He’s a great local food hero who will surely be a long term success in the Gainsborough Hotel. And I really enjoy Clayton’s Kitchen in George Street, because it offers a great range of dishes that won’t break the bank, at lunchtime in particular.” When making decisions as to where to eat in Bath, we are spoiled for choice. But when it comes to having a company cater specifically for our needs, Strawberry Fields Catering is pretty much the cream of the crop. “We hope to continue doing what we do in Bath for a long time into the future,” says Gary. Altogether now, let’s sing: “Strawberry Field forever.” n Strawberry Field Catering, The Old Bakery, Jews Lane, Bath BA2 3DG. Tel: 01225 339394; web: strawberryfieldcatering.co.uk.
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