Amazing Artisans: Stuart and Kathryn, Founders of Proper Nutty Peanut Butter

Peanut butter. As far as we're concerned, breakfast doesn't get much better than toast topped with a generous smear of this delicious nutty spread (although we are often guilty of eating it straight from the jar - spoon optional).  It’s always fantastic to see an artisan take something and apply their own artisanal methods to their production, creating a unique, delicious product. Enter this week's Amazing Artisans Stuart and Kathryn, the nutty masterminds behind artisan peanut butter company, Proper Nutty. After returning to the UK, the couple struggled to get hold of the delicious, quality, unprocessed peanut butter they had been used to whilst living abroad. Noticing a gap in the market, Proper Nutty was born. Read the interview in full to find out what made Stuart and Kathryn nutty enough to take the plunge and start their own business.

Speciality Food Fair 2014 - Our Top Picks

Whilst we know that we’re a nation that values tradition, it’s clear to see that us Brits are becoming increasingly less afraid of try new flavours and ingredients. Our supermarkets are now filled with a variety of products from around the globe, the popularity of fusion cuisine has taken off along with pretty much everyone who’s anyone opting for street food over more traditional, fine dining restaurants.

At the beginning of September we visited the Speciality and Fine Food Fair at Olympia and to say that there was a huge variety of products on show would be an understatement. Being a trade-only show and having never visited before, I was expecting something a little more corporate and a little less exciting. With over 700 producers exhibiting it was certainly nothing like that; we were blown away by not only the scale of the fair but the huge diversity of producers, experts and foodies that came far and wide to visit and exhibit at the fair. It was so exciting to meet and chat to so many passionate, innovative food producers, and the fair really affirmed our mission and inspired us to continue working towards something really awesome.

Tempted by the delicious smells that filled Olympia, there was loads to look at and try (okay, there was definitely a lot more trying than looking!) We tried pretty much every kind of food you could imagine, from cured meats to pasta to olive oils and artisan chocolate. It was all delicious, but if we had to whittle down our favourites, these guys from the small producer village had to come top:

The Frozen Fruit Company

As ice cream devotees, it’s usually hard to convince us that something healthy would make a delicious alternative to our usual creamy treat. First taste and we were sold; this super fruity fat-free frozen dessert is just the right amount of sweet. The Strawgo has to be our favourite, and is sure to be our go-to treat when we’re next reaching inside our freezer.

Emily’s Fruit Crisps

Our guilt-free snack of choice in the KTP office. Delicious fruit crisps for when the 4pm snack attack hits, these crisps are free from nasties (and the packaging is gorgeous, too). The pineapple is delicious, but the crunchy apple variety have to be our favourite.

British Cassis

The super-friendly, outgoing guys on the British Cassis stall immediately drew us in; it helped that their drinks were delicious, too! These guys are big on providence and celebrate the traceability of all their British ingredients. We loved their story and look forward to hearing what these guys are up to next!

We Love Jelly

The idea behind this product is awesome! Their cocktail infused jellies come in three flavours and are perfect for a dessert or even an alternative to your usual tipple. Watch out for these cocktail chemists (complete with lab coats)...we predict they're going to be big business in the food world!

Warner Edwards

It doesn’t take a lot to tempt us into trying Gin. Warner Edwards have it down to a tee - great tasting gin, fab branding and interesting flavour combinations. We’re looking forward to seeing a lot more of these guys very soon!

Image from http://bit.ly/1Chx4Wg

Wicked and Wonderful

We’d already met chocolatier Ben when we interviewed him as an Amazing Artisan a couple of months ago. His new chocolate venture, Wicked & Wonderful, was one of our favourite takeaways from the chocolate show; mouth-wateringly good chocolate in decadent packaging that feels as luxurious as it tastes.

Cloudberry Bakery

The thought that entered our minds on trying their Great Taste 3 Gold Star salted caramel sauce? Why haven’t we tried this before!? Deliciously decadent, we think this sauce would be perfect heated over a brownie or drizzled over ice cream (or, if we’re feeling really greedy, straight out of the jar on a spoon!)

Little Dabbas

Another Great Taste three gold star winner, we loved these quirky little pots holding their authentic Gujarati masala shots. With a different pot for vegetables, seafood and meats, Mistry and Co. are on a mission to educate people that Indian food can be delicious and healthy. Oh, and their website is awesome, too!

Proper Beans

Ben and his team are on a mission to recreate everyone’s favourite baked beans by using delicious ingredients and a slow cooking process. With six unique recipes in their range and already stocked in Fortnum and Mason, these guys look ready to make a storm and shake up the world of beans as we know it.

Mrs Middleton’s Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil

With Mrs Middleton’s it was pretty simple; bags of enthusiasm mixed with a premium (not to mention delicious) product from their family farm in Bedfordshire. We loved trying their samples - the oil is just as perfect on it’s own with some freshly baked bread than it is in all types of cooking. Looking forward to seeing more from these guys.

Jaz and Juls

With the nights drawing in and winter firmly on its way, Jaz and Juls hot chocolate is the perfect treat. Amazing variety of flavours and ethically sourced cocoa from Madagascar, Peru, and Granda. Sounds good to us!

We can’t wait until next year!

Were you at the food fair? What was your favourite find?

Industry Insiders: Robert Gunn, Tastes of Anglia

It’s always great to meet other like-minded businesses who love independent artisans and great tasting food as much as we do. Kitchen Table Projects first met Robert from Tastes of Anglia at the NPD Conference that we attended in July. We really enjoyed swapping stories, as well as finding out a little more about the fab things Tastes of Anglia are getting up to.

Tell us a bit about yourself! Who are you and what do you do?

Tastes of Anglia is a not for profit, membership owned cooperative formed over 20 years ago to support and promote the food and drink industry of East Anglia.  ToA has members that include some of the largest businesses in the region to one person operations producing food and drink in domestic kitchens, selling their products at local farmers markets then going home and doing it all again. ToA now provides a reference point for anyone interested in the food and drink industry across the region. We support food education and the use of locally grown and created products; we facilitate introductions where members will benefit from working together; we assist in sourcing regional and national grant funding to aid business growth and routes to export and we provide CCA Landskills part funded business courses across England and Wales. We are [also] currently planning partnerships with tourist organisations to promote food tourism to the region and with other regional and national food related organisations to assist in spreading the word about the excellent food and drink producers of East Anglia.

How do you help small businesses?

The four words that sum up our activities are: Communicating, Supporting Advising and Facilitating. Many members come to us seeking assistance in taking their products to market. Having sold our own distribution business last year we are now creating excellent connections with major retailers and distributors across the region and beyond. Our members produce ambient, chilled and frozen products for retail and foodservice. We seek to facilitate partnerships with the right specialists in all areas.

How important is a good business plan?

A properly designed business plan is a requirement for any successful business.

What do you think are the three key things that make a successful food brand?

The three key things for a successful food brand are: brand and market analysis, quality of the product and the presentation, an effective marketing plan.

Do you have any predictions on what will be trending in the foodie world in the next six months?

South African and South American cuisine is starting to make a breakthrough in the UK. Anything that has a USP that appeals to the general public.

How do you think small artisan producers can be supported?

Startup and fledgling artisan producers can be supported in a wide variety of ways through membership of Tastes of Anglia. We welcome members from other parts of the country, not just from East Anglia.

What do you think is the toughest part of starting up your own food business?

The toughest part of starting a food business is letting your business head direct your activities and not just your passion for a product you, your family and friends think is great.

What are your words of wisdom for anyone thinking of starting a new business?

Research, research, research! Analyse, develop and market.

What do you think about our big ideas and what we’re trying to achieve?

Every new small producer will benefit from a chance to test prototype products, new launches etc in a well located venue with a high footfall of foodie lovers. If that is what KTP can provide ToA will support you all the way.​

If you’re interested in finding out more about what Tastes of Anglia do, then head over to their website, www.tastesofanglia.org.uk. You can find them on Twitter, too, @TastesofAnglia.

Main Picture by Flickr User Caroline

Is the High Street Dead?

It’s been a pretty busy one this month at Kitchen Table Projects. We’ve spent lots of time making  our website awesome, chatting to loads of Amazing Artisans, picking up some hints and tips from the Industry Insiders on our blog, and discovering what fellow foodies love to eat, where they like to buy it, and what they want to see on their high street. We love shopping at independents, so can see why you guys do, too. While the media are readily hailing the ‘death of the high street’, 2 out of every 3 foodies who have taken part in our questionnaire told us they choose to shop at an independent grocer at least once a week. In fact, whilst 60% of you said that you get your weekly shop from a big chain supermarket, 45% said that they visited their local market at least once a month - How great is that?!

And whilst it’s undeniable that the supermarket giants are king for convenience, 75% of you guys told us that you are bored are what you see there and love to discover interesting new products and support independent trade. So is the future of the high street all that cloudy?

With 2.5 billion internet users across the globe, we are constantly driven by what we see, read and who we talk to on the internet. You might be reading this blog on some kind of mobile device, and chances are you Tweet, Facebook your friends, and Instagram all your pictures quicker than you can say ‘Valencia’ (that’s an photo filter - for those of you not so versed in the terms of the insta-world). It’s quick and it’s accessible, and for many retailers, it’s ideal. The power of the ‘click-and-buy’ has made shopping online easier than ever, and it’s predicted that by 2015 90% of music, 70% of books and 40% of electricals will be bought over the internet. 

That sounds like pretty bad news for the high street, right? Well actually, no. 50% of you guys told us that you rarely or never shop online, choosing to pound the pavements and take to the high street to pick up your weekly shop. What’s more, every single one of you guys that took part in our questionnaire told us that they wanted to see more independent retailers on our high streets.

So is the high street really dying, or is it just that our ideas about what we want to see there are radically changing? Despite living our lives on the internet, retail experts have insisted on a continued desire for bricks-and-mortar shops. We are humans after all, not robots (well, for now anyway), and social interaction as well as the opportunity to look at, touch and smell a product remains a huge pull of the physical retail experience. 

Retailers have responded to this by adopting experiential shopping destinations; places that incorporate the virtual social world into the the physical retail shop. These shops are no longer solely focused on the transaction, but instead aim to offer a social experience which is both entertaining and pleasurable for the shopper. Think about the last time you visited your local high street. Was there some kind of interactive experience? Did you tweet about something you saw there? Chances are you didn’t just walk in, make your purchase and leave; shoppers now expect destinations which are both fun and interactive to shop at.

We think this is great. At Kitchen Table Projects we’re all about championing the high street, and think that it’s really important to enhance the retail experience, not only for our customers, but for our artisans, too. We’re creating a space for artisans to share their stories with the people who can’t wait to discover them, and to collaborate with other producers. Experience is at the heart of everything we do, and we believe that everything is better when we work together.

But do you agree with what we’re saying, or do you really think that the high street is on it’s way out? Do you live for online shopping or are you in love with independents? We want to know what you want to see on your high street so we can create a food hub that you love to shop at, buying the food that you love to eat. You can help us do this by sharing your thoughts here, or if you’re just curious to find out some more interesting facts from our foodie research, then head on over here. We want to revolutionise retail, and with your help, we can be one step closer to doing so!

Celebrating Independents' Day 2014

All around the world the 4th of July is known as American Independence day- but in the UK this Friday, we’ll be doing something a little bit different. It may not involve a parade, hot dogs or fireworks, but it sure is something worth celebrating.

Friday the 4th of July marks the return of Independents’ Day- a National campaign that aims to promote and celebrate independent businesses across the UK. Backed by Dragons Den star and top business bod Theo Paphitis, the scheme helps small independent businesses shout out about how great they are, making a name for themselves on their local radar, whilst educating the public on how important it is to shop independently, too. The campaign also helps to make independent retailers more aware of the vast amount of support there is out there that can help them to train their employees, become more competitive, and grow to be the best that they can be. Ultimately it’s all about showing the high street giants how great independent retailers are, and we can't wait to get involved!

As you know, Kitchen Table Projects love giving a voice to the little guys, and we’re all about helping the amazing artisans of the indie world shine on the high street. We want to get them the recognition that they deserve for their amazing products and all their hard work . It’s pretty simple really- but if you need a little more convincing, we've come up with some great reasons why you need to be shopping indie this Friday!

Interested in getting involved? Make sure to check out the Official Campaign website here, or follow them on Twitter here. If you have any great indie stories from the day that you want to share, then be sure to tweet with the hash tag #IndieDay. And make sure to tweet us at KTP- whether you're a retailer or just someone who loves indies, we'd love to hear what you've been up to!

Kitchen Table Projects Visit Do You Love Food 2014 at Loseley Park, Guildford

We may not have been at Glastonbury last weekend, but Kitchen Table Projects certainly embraced the festival spirit this weekend by pulling on our wellies, braving the torrential weather, and heading to the the Do You Love Food Festival at Loseley Park, Surrey.

Despite the rain, the festival was bustling with whole range of different producers, including the team from BakedIn, who we go to have a chat with (which will be up on the blog tomorrow- keep your eyes peeled!)  As always it was great to see such a huge variety of independent artisans, and to see them embrace the miserable British weather with such determination and cheerfulness!

There was also a huge range of street food on offer (which left us significantly more full than when we arrived)- we sampled some amazing duck wraps, gourmet sausage rolls and delicious cakes (on top of all the samples offered by the artisan stalls...woops!)

One of the best parts of the festival had to be the cookery demonstrations. Michelin star chefs, TV stars, Bakers and Wine experts showed off a variety of tasty dishes and products over a number of different themed stages. We loved seeing Great British Bake Off contestant Cathryn Dresser do her thing making some delicious cakes on the bakery stage, but our favorite demonstration of the day had to Stefan Gates. Although the show was probably aimed more at children (but aren't we all kids at heart?) we loved his exploration of the science of food- it really is true that you learn something new every day!

Even with the torrential rain we had a really great afternoon. And anyway, A British summer without unexpected downpours is like Wimbledon without Strawberries- It just doesn't happen!

Glastonbury- The Festival With a Big Social Heart?

This weekend, around 135,000 people will descend on the sleepy west country village of Pilton to attend one of the biggest and most famous festivals in the world: Glastonbury. Rockers of all ages will be donning their wellies and rain macs (or flip flops and shorts, if they’re lucky!) and pitching up their tents on the 900 acre site. Because of its huge size, Glastonbury has taken a lot of care to ensure that their festival is environmentally sustainable, working closely with charities like GreenPeace, as well using recycling, energy and water saving initiatives across the festival. But we wanted to find out more about the festival’s economic sustainability; the efforts they make to feed money back into the local community and the kind of opportunities for small independent businesses it offers.

Inside the festival, there are some great opportunities for small food businesses. At each festival, over 700 producers, makers and food stalls will showcase a range of diverse products to a crowd which, at its busiest, can reach 170,000 people. This means that the festival becomes a unique opportunity for small businesses to really make a name for themselves and radically increase their exposure over a relatively short period of time. What’s more, your average festival go-er is always hungry and thirsty, and can be found walking around aimlessly with pockets full of cash, on the look out for cool items to remind them of their awesome weekend. Because of this, trading at a festival like Glastonbury can be a really attractive prospect for many producers. If you’re interested in finding out about more about being a Glasto trader, the festival have teamed up with Le Rac Shack, who will be blogging about their trader experience at the festival here.

Naturally, this huge increase to the local population over the course of the weekend has both positive and more negative reparations. The festival creates over 1,000 new jobs, increases tourism, and in 2007, reportedly returned £35m of its £73m profits back to the local community, with businesses experiencing around a 56% increase in trade. Local businesses are drafted on site for the festival prep too, with Glasto spending £6m in 2007 employing local businesses. The festival also estimates that around £400,000 will be spent on local accommodation (for those who want to remain mud-free over the weekend) and just over £500,000 will be spent on fuel (for making that quick getaway back to work on the Monday morning). While increases in pollution and excess noise can drive residents up the wall, the festival bosses have worked with the local community to make sure that the festival has a positive impact not just over the weekend, but over the course of the year, too. Since 2000, Glasto has donated over £1m to local charities and good causes, including renovations, repairs and rebuilds of popular local structures. Top bod Michael Eavis even employs litter pickers and other workers over the course of the year to make sure the town stays spic and span.

So for some residents, Glastonbury will be the highlight of their year, for others, the thousands of rockers that arrive by the carload will be nothing more than a massive pain in the backside. Sure, the festival might be a disruption, but it's great to know that Glasto makes the effort to support both local businesses and small traders and be really sustainable. Now that's something we don't mind braving the mud for.

Pictures by Flickr users rodrigoferrari and Russ Garrett

The Real Stars of Center Court: Strawberries and Cream

Wimbledon is all about tradition. There is no arguing that when the the covers come off the Courts on Monday next week, Tennis (and the hope of another successful year for Andy Murray) won't be the only thing on everyone's minds. The sun comes out, Sue Barker makes a welcome return to our screens, and everyone heads off in search of the tournament’s snack of choice: strawberries and cream. And it’s not just strawberries that get supporters munching during the Tournament. In fact, Wimbledon is the largest annual catered sports event carried out in Europe.

But boy do we love our strawberries; on average 28,000kg of them will be picked, prepared and enjoyed with 7000 litres of cream by around 53,500 visitors to the ground over the course of the Championship. According to the top bods at the ground, the strawberries served are Grade 1 English strawberries from Kent, which is super important, not only because it supports the British economy, but also because pickers can pick the fruit right at its peak, meaning that we can eat perfectly ripe and juicy strawberries at their best time. Wimbledon also ensure that all their products are from LEAF registered farms, a scheme that aims to promote sustainable farming methods that produce food of a high environmental standard. So although strawberries are consumed in their masses during the tournament, Wimbledon continues to adhere to tradition and support British producers.

So the story of the Centre Court strawberry starts on a farm in Kent. The strawberry plants first start to develop in Spring, producing their first fruit around June, when the strawberry experts from Wimbledon come to make sure they have the best strawberries with a good colour and shape. To ensure freshness, the strawberries will be picked the day before serving, arriving at Wimbledon at around 5.30am, where they are inspected and hulled.

At Kitchen Table Projects we think its great to hear that Wimbledon support local British farmers and sustainable farming methods. We might not be heading to Wimbledon to watch the action live, but will definitely be enjoying some fresh, local strawberries to get in the spirit! If you want to do the same, why not check out your local farm shop or PYO to pick up some sweet treats, or if you’re feeling a little more creative (and the British weather forces us inside) then why not try this fab recipe that we love here at KTP. After all, if the British fail on the court, then we might as well take on the kitchen!

Your June Store Cupboard

June is a great time to cook and eat some great seasonal fruit and veggies. The sun comes out (okay, sometimes the sun comes out) giving you the perfect excuse to kick yourself out of the kitchen and explore your garden, local farm shop or independent greengrocer. Trying something new doesn’t have to be fancy, expensive or pretentious- sometimes the best discoveries are the ones we’ve been living with right under our noses.

The Garden Pea is one of the many greens that are at their best in June, but for a lot of people peas are eaten mushy and that’s it. Peas are, however, a really versatile ingredient and make a great alternative to your standard lettuce in a salad. Here at Kitchen Table Project HQ, we can’t wait to try this recipe with our roast chicken for a summery take on a Sunday Roast.

Another great green to try in June is the Broad Bean. Like the pea, this tasty little legume makes a great starring role in lots of dishes, and is super easy to grow if you do fancy embracing your inner Alan Titchmarsh.  We think that this broad bean and chorizo risotto would be just the thing for a satisfying friday night sups.

June is also a great time to be eating Courgettes, another green that has been getting a fair bit of attention recently for its fantastic health benefits. It may be super healthy, but we can’t resist a brunch plate piled high with these amazing Courgette fritters. These little beauties are just calling out for fresh coffee, salsa and sunshine- the perfect weekend treat! And if you’re feeling extra indulgent, finish off with a slice of this Courgette Loaf Bake- sounds weird we know, but the courgettes make the mixture super moist, plus it's super easy to make. Trust us, you won’t be able to pass on a slice!

Asparagus is another green that is great when picked and eaten in June. For us, there is no better way to enjoy it then grilled in a bit of butter and then used as a replacement (or an addition!) to your egg and soldiers.

Fruitwise, it can’t be denied that June is the month of the Strawberry. Without it, Pimms wouldn’t be the same, scones would feel naked, and the spectators at Wimbledon would be sure to have a bit of a breakdown. Strawberries are delicious on their own as a summery snack, but there are tonnes of delicious recipes around for you to try. This Strawberry Pavlova looks far too tempting to resist!

Another great but underrated June fruit is the Gooseberry. Gooseberries can be quite hard to find in the supermarkets, so it’s best to look for them in your local greengrocer or independent market. If you do manage to get hold of them, we recommend having a go at this yummy Gooseberry Custard tart. A bit more technical than your standard pavlova, but we guarantee it will be worth the effort!

What have you been eating this month? Tweet us @KitchTablePro with the hashtag #EatFresh