FOOD & DRINK – Wine Column, Olive Restaurant and 10 Mile Menu.

George and Molly Delivery

Local, seasonal, organic

Ten mile menu deliver organic veg boxes and more, direct from a fantastic family farm right on your doorstep

The rich, fertile soil at Sandy Lane Farm in Tiddington, near Thame, was organic long before it was

fashionable. Over 30 years ago, Charles Bennett saw the benefits of working with nature, not in spite of it and today, his son George heads up the family farm, growing an amazing array of veg for the ten mile menu boxes. It’s unusual to find a local farm that grows the diversity of produce that George does at Sandy Lane - and rarer still to find that farm is organic. Heading into the summer season, the fields are full of carrots, chard, courgettes a plenty and (George’s favourite) super sweet corn cobs are on the horizon. In the market garden, the polytunnels will soon be a jungle of tomatoes, beans and agretti, all surrounded by a carpet of herbs with an incredible aroma that hits you as soon as you open the doors in the morning sun. Always quietly busy, the farm team sow, plant and harvest mostly by hand and are joined in the field by an array of insects and birds, who work for them as nature’s very own pest controllers. Diversity is at the heart of everything George does on the farm - whether that is encouraging biodiversity with uncultivated wild flower ‘beetle banks’ and tree planting, to diversity of crops and rotations to keep the soil healthy. No part of the farm is treated in isolation (above or below ground) and George strives to keep nature in balance at all times. Ten mile menu have been delivering George’s organic veg to Oxfordshire and South Buckinghamshire for the past seven years, with fantastically loyal customers in Thame and the surrounding villages. It was in 2013 that Steve Sidhu realised that despite the array of brilliant local produce out there, it was unfeasibly difficult to get hold of it. His company, ten mile menu aims to ‘join the dots’ between farms and the customers - making local produce convenient and affordable. Today, the business is very much veg focussed but also offers a selection of store-cupboard essentials (bread, eggs, coffee) and from other independent, local producers. For much of the year, with the vast majority of the veg in the ten mile menu boxes coming direct from the fields at Sandy Lane, food miles are kept down to mere metres. Steve has also invested in the first fully electric delivery vehicle, taking the hugely important step towards an environmentally friendly fleet. Always delivering the veg in re-useable boxes, the company aims to reduce their carbon footprint every step of the way and the produce is kept as seasonal as possible. It’s an exciting time on the farm. With an expanded market garden, passionate team and vast new transformative ‘no dig’ beds, George now has even more capacity to grow his extremely tasty, organic veg for local customers. These veg boxes are an opportunity to really get to ‘know your onions’ (and your carrots and your salad!) from the ground up - direct from the soil at Sandy Lane, to your doorstep. Traceability, from field to fork. Ten mile menu deliver each Thursday and Friday, shop as little or as often as you like, no need to be in. Visit the website to register and for further details: www.tenmilemenu.co.uk Also, do check out social media for regular updates on what’s happening on the farm and all things organic. Find them on instagram and Facebook

@tenmilemenu

A short trip from Thame to Princes Risborough was to make a long lasting impression on Stuart Dale when he discovered Olive Indian Restaurant.

t would have been the summer of 2019. We were invited to a family I function at my sister-in-law’s home in Princes Risborough.

As is often the way, a couple of drinks followed by a takeaway curry was the order of the day. “A new Indian Restaurant has opened in Duke Street,” my Brother-in-law exclaimed. “It’s really good,” he enthused. He was right, it was. The restaurant in question was Olive, and we have returned on numerous occasions. Managed by Saifi, you can expect a really warm welcome and excellent service whether you are dinning in or collecting a takeaway. But most important of all is the quality of the food. It is excellent. Olive has been a bit of a life saver throughout the past lockdown. It has been well worth driving over from Thame to collect our food. However, great news for us and anyone else from Thame, Olive now also deliver to Thame. Delivery is free with a minimum order of £30. If you collect yourself, you will save as much as 20% off the cost. It is worth pointing out Olive also deliver to Princes Risborough (naturally), Chinnor, Lacy Green, Speen and other surrounding areas. So what makes Olive’s cuisine so popular, I ask Saifi? “Fresh ingredients and freshly cooked food. Most restaurants have preprepared, pre-cooked food,” says Saifi. Everything here is cooked to order, using fresh ingredients rather than frozen. Cooking takes a little longer, but I believe it’s well worth it, he adds. When we met, Saifi had just travelled back from London sourcing fresh leaves. It would have been easier to use frozen, but that’s not the Olive way. Saifi describes Olive as a naturally authentic Indian Restaurant. The aim is to bring customers regional dishes from around India as well as traditional favourites. “ All our curries contain 100% natural ingredients and we do not use any processed meats, bulking agents, preservatives, artificial colourings or flavourings, explains Saifi. You can enjoy classic favourites such as Masala’s, Korma’s, Pasandas, Baltis, Dopiazas, Bhunas, Jalfrezis,Vindaloos and so on. Or, how about something a little different, like the regional specialities:

Kholapuri Garlic Chilli Chicken. Cooked with fresh chillies, lime and finished with mustard & curry leaves. Rajasthani Venison Curry. Venison curry from the land of famous forts and palaces. Sri Lankan Slow Cooked Lamb. Lamb with spinach and chick peas. Coorgi Coconut Lamb. Lamb cooked with coconut milk flavoured with cardamom and saffron. Parsee Roast Duck Narangee. Five spice marinated duck with ginger fennel and orange sauce. Goan Green Chicken Curry. Chicken cooked in a tangy sauce made from a puree of green herbs tropical lime. Spiced Monk Fish Malabari. Marinated with roasted spies, pan fried.

Keralan Jumbo Prawn Curry.

Golden roasted coconut and mustard curry with traditional Keralan spice.

Alleppey Mango and Coriander

Chicken. Mild curry cooked with yoghurt, mustard seed and fresh green mango. Hriyali Lamb. Chef special herb cooked with spinach and potato.

Saifi is a trained Chef and has worked in the business for 35 years. He has worked at Olive in Princes Risborough since it opened, working seven days a week establishing a reputation for fine food and service. Quality is key to everything Saifi

Olive branch

does. from the interior decoration to the wine list for example. Olive stock quality wines from France, Italy and South Africa. He could serve cheaper wines and make a greater profit, but again, that is not the Olive way. When eating in, Olive is limited to just two sittings. Saifi wants his customer to savour the dining experience and not be rushed. Eating in or takeaway, Olive serve up some fine Indian Cuisine. I owe my Brother-in-law a drink. Kingfisher, I think. Call 01844 274443 to order a delivery or book a table.

OLIVE IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK FROM 5.00PM

Olive Indian Restaurant 16 Duke Street, Princes Risborough HP27 0AT Tel: 01844 274443 / 01844 274388 Email: info@oliveindianrestaurantpr.co.uk

Al fresco entertaining tips from

Jerome Harlington.

Wine and rain?

t’s late April and I’m watching my hand gradualy turn icy blue I as I stoically cradle my pint of long anticipated Beechwood Bitter as chilly north winds eddy around the courtyard of this delightful ancient inn.

Having been stuck inside for the best part of a year we collectively didn’t need much of a push to sit outdoors at hospitality venues across the country no matter the weather and I’m sure this is a trend that we will be here to stay. So here are my top tips to help make alfresco dining and entertaining as enjoyable as possible. Ideal drinks and food to serve Interestingly the environment does impact taste and often outside your senses are given a lot more stimulation than inside. So as well as your staple supply of favourite drinks, full flavoured alcoholic or non alcoholic cocktails work well or experiment with some of the interesting vibrant hard seltzers that have recently made their debut on to the market. If serving wine your more robust styles that are full of flavour are a better option. Aromatic New Zealand whites or big Californian reds as an example would be worth imbibing outside. The lighter, cooler climate, delicate wines tastes and complexity can easily be lost outside so perhaps better saved for indoor enjoyment. As the evening draws in think about warm drinks such as mulled wines with spice that work particularly well. The same applies with food, it’s worth opting for full flavoured dishes such as middle eastern mezzes or barbeque or fire up your pizza oven if you have one. Serve big and bold food that delights your guests taste buds.

Glassware and serving plates

Rather than your best crystal stemmed glassware or china, it’s often best to go with tumblers that are stable and less easily damaged. There are some great stemless glassware options available that would be perfect.

Planning your space

Whatever the occasion may be, every event will have different requirements that may mean configuring your outdoor space differently to suit the occasion. Things to consider are where will food be cooked and served? Where will people linger prior to eating? Where is the best place to serve drinks? Where will people sit to eat and whether there is any space needed for garden games or activities. When you’re planning an event far in advance, you can’t always guarantee that the weather will stay dry. It’s worth thinking about how you’re going to prepare and serve food – if you’re planning on doing it outside, make sure your guests can sit underneath a garden parasol or even a gazebo if the forecast on the day involves any chance of rain.

Think about seating and physical comfort

Some of the best alfresco dining experiences have included soft furnishings such as cushions or blankets so that guests are just as comfortable outside as they might be inside.

Ensure your guests are warm

As the evenings draw in, there can be quite the chill in the air. Making sure you have a source of heat for people to enjoy is vital if you want your guests to be comfortable. I’ve recently discovered the amazing comfort of outdoor infrared heating. It works so well as a heating solution as rather than blowing hot air around or burning gas it’s ultra efficient and actually only heats thermal mass - so your guests will be cosy and warm. There’s a local company Arc Thermal Products that specialise in this so worth looking them up if you’re interested in heating your outdoor space.

Lighting and ambience

Good outdoor lighting can really enhance your outdoor space, giving it a wonderful ambience as well as practical illumination for important areas. Think about which areas you will need lit, such as a pathway from the garden to the house, the eating area and any areas you want to highlight.

So there you have it, I hope these tips help you make the most of your outdoor entertaining and of course if you’d like any wine suggestions or food pairing tips please do drop me a line. I’d be delighted to hear from you as always!

Jerome

info@trailblazingwine.com www.trailblazingwine.com 01296 872315

Two traditional English pubs. One Fine Thai Cuisine.

Enjoy the delights of a traditional British pub – oak beams, stone floors, great beers – and the flavours of fantastic Thai cuisine, The Rising Sun in Thame and The Churchill Arms in Long Crendon. It’s time to eat out.

Make the most of the summer by eating out at The Rising Sun and The Churchill Arms. Don’t forget to book the restaurants for inside dining as well.

THE RISING SUN

26 High Street,Thame OX9 2BZ l 01844 214206 l www.risingsun-thame.co.uk

1 High Street,Long Crendon HP18 9AF l 01844 335081 l www.churchillarms-longcrendon-thame.co.uk

THE CHURCHILL ARMS

Q.

I want to divorce my spouse amicably, without blame, citing irreconcilable differences. Is that possible?

A.

Most family solicitors will want to support you in achieving your divorce (together with other arrangements around children and finances) amicably, this reduces animosity and cost which is better for all. Despite what Google (or other search engines) might tell you, in England and Wales you cannot divorce based on irreconcilable differences, as you can in other jurisdictions. Within England and Wales there is only one ground upon which you can obtain a divorce, that is that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. At present, to support this ground the petitioner (the person bringing the divorce) needs to rely one of five facts; adultery (although this cannot be used in same sex marriages or civil partnerships), unreasonable behaviour, desertion (for a period of two years), the parties having being living apart for two years and both consent to the divorce or the parties having lived apart for five years (in which case the other person does not need to consent). Given the need to wait for two years parties often elect to proceed on the basis of unreasonable behaviour or adultery (where applicable) to be able to bring the matter to a conclusion without having to wait. For some time, campaigners having been seeking the introduction of “no fault” divorce to remove the need to apportion blame. This ‘no fault divorce’ will become law in the autumn of 2021. The ground for divorce remains, that the marriage has irretrievably broken down, but there is no requirement to rely on one of the five facts. This change signals a move towards helping to minimise some of the tensions currently felt when a marriage or civil partnership breaks down and someone has to be “blamed”. Do you have a legal question for the family team or another solicitor at Lightfoots? Contact us at ask@lightfoots. co.uk and you could feature* in our new regular column in Thame Out magazine.

*All situations are different and the answers provided should not be relied upon as tailored advice.