Spring has sprung for May's Shropshire Secret Supper Club

[Kerstin Losch]

Even though the snow has (finally?) gone, there is still a distinct lack of green in nature :-( A few rays of sunshine will hopefully soon see to new growths a riots of Spring colour.
I have to admit shamefacedly that we have only made a start today removing all the dead winter remains from our garden. We are no gardeners, but at least like it tidy(ish). Middle age seems to help with the lack of horticultural eagerness, we seem to have a lot lower tolerance levels for untidiness and soon we might even consider joining the NGS (unlikely though).

When our children were small and the garden was mainly playground and a place to hang the washing any attempt to bring some order into our 'nature reserve' was noted by the neighbours > Are the grandparents coming for a visit again? Oops ....

On the other hand I am never happier than when I am walking in the woods, meadow, mountain or sea. I love the feeling of getting somewhere where a little bit of effort is needed and discovering plants, views and sights. I am happiest when all I hear is wind, waves, birds ... my husband says you can tell from my face. Almost 30 years of marriage this year have given me an understanding of covering a certain distance or having an aim in walking (as is important first of all to my husband), but by nature I love finding plants, sea shells, free food and share my finding ... hence my love of foraging.

Is there a greater thrill than hunting & gathering and making lunch, preserves or foodie gifts with the spoils of your walk or beach ramble? Not for me! I cannot wait to make wild garlic pesto again, serve my guests Maibowle and capture elderflower in heavenly jellies.

To share my love for foraging we have two events coming up in short succession:
On Saturday, the 20th April 2013 from 9.30 am until 2 pm we have been invited to join with the 'Escapees to the country' Anna & Richard Thomas for a foraging course on their fabulous Colemore Farm . This is a first for KerstinsKitchen and will be great fun. Anna promises a warm welcome with a drink and homemade biscuits to give us walkers strength for the probably 1.5 hours walk around the woods and meadows.
We are foraging for our lunch ingredients, but never fear lunch shall not be sparse, we have made provisions! On the way we will also explain about herbs used in traditional remedies or typical English flowers like Wood Anemones, wild orchids or Cowslips. Some of them will end up in our salad ... do you know which?
Back at the ranch (so to speak) we will have a three course partly foraged lunch consisting of a starter which will feature Richard's famed baking skills using wild garlic, a seasonal main and foraged salad and a desert with a distinctly German touch. We will show you how to make a lovely foraged foodie gift which you can take home for inspiration. Don't worry if you forget the pen & pencil ... there will be a sheet of all recipes used to take home too.

Introductory prices* will be £39.95 per adult, £24.95 for young people (over the age of 12) are the sole responsibility of the accompanying paying adult at all times.
For health & safety reasons children under the age of 12 or dogs cannot be allowed on this walk. Please come prepared with suitable footwear and clothing!
*Subsequent forage courses will be £49.95 per adult and £29.95 per young adult.
For further information and bookings ring KerstinsKitchen on 01952 593 677 or Colemore Farm on 01746 218 203

In case this leaves you hungry for more the following Shropshire Secret Spring Supper Club is on Saturday, the 4th of May 2013 at the usual time of 7.30 pm back at KerstinsKitchen HQ. The foraging and Spring theme will continue here.

My welcome drink will be a slightly sparkling traditional German Spring drink flavoured with foraged Sweet Woodruff (see above reference to Maibowle). Although the menu is not yet set, a few things are for sure. We will be using more foraged ingredients like wild garlic and plenty of seasonal Shropshire ingredients, some of them prepared in our German ways, others will be a completely new twist to old Spring favourites - are you ready for ice cream starters?

If this has given you an appetite, not just for good food, but also to have a great evening meeting new and interesting people, you can book now on 01952 593677 or [e-mail]. £25 per head includes a free welcome drink and amuse bouche, excellent 3 course meal, Nespresso and something homemade to nibble with your coffee. Sparkling or still water will flow freely and bring your own wine or beer!