Here's a taster of some of the events and herb related bits and bobs we've been involved in lately...
Jekka's Herb Cookbook signing at
RHS Wisley shop
RHS Wisley Gardens book signing
If you were in the Wisley area on the afternoon of 28th August, perhaps you caught up with Jekka signing copies of her new Herb Cookbook in the RHS Wisley Gardens shop.
Jekka's July book signing at Toppings booksellers of Bath became a complete culinary experience for the audience, who were invited to sample the taste and aroma of the culinary herb selection (organic, of course) that Jekka brought along. It had been an action packed day for Jekka, as she'd attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace earlier the same day!
Book signing at Toppings of Bath
Jekka's Herb Cookbook - nestling amongst the favourites at a well known Bristol bookshop!
Jekka's Herb Cookbook - reviews
We recently spotted
Jekka's Herb Cookbook nestling amongst the favourites in a well known Bristol bookshop - an exciting moment!
It's also been widely featured in the National Press, and was the Daily Mail's book of the week in June.
Jekka on BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour
Did you catch Jekka on BBC Radio 4 in June, chatting about Stevia, and growing and using herbs, with Jenni Murray on Woman's Hour? If not, listen again on BBC iPlayer...
Herb Farm Open Days
So far, we've held four Open Day weekends this year, in March, April, June and July. All events were busy, happy days filled with like-minded herb lovers, and it was terrific to see the farm come alive with the joyful enthusiasm of our customers. Even Jekka's infamous Gnome, 'Borage' was spotted, grinning amongst the Chervil!
Herb Farm Open Days 2010
Jekka's Herb Workshops were sold out well before each event, so if you're planning to attend 'How to Maintain Herbs for the Winter Season' in September, then please book as soon as possible as places are limited, and we hate to disappoint.
Delicious fare at our Open Days, served up by Berry Blue
Caterers, 'Berry Blue Creative Foods' served up some utterly delicious seasonal food, including 'Smoked Salmon & Herb omelette rolls', 'Lemon Thyme shortbread' and 'Chocolate & Rosemary mousse'..very mmm!
June 3rd was the official publication date of 'Jekka's Herb Cookbook'.
That very evening, Jekka gave a talk on culinary herbs at the Garden Museum in London, and signed copies of her brand new book. The audience were completely engaged, and it proved a wonderful way to end this special day!
Jekka's book signing at the
Garden Museum, London
Culinary Herbs at the Jamie Oliver Foundation
Jekka paid a recent visit to Fifteen in London, for a hands-on workshop on making herb butters and vinegars with the restaurant’s apprentice chefs.
The Jamie Oliver Foundation, a registered charity, raises awareness of the importance of nutritious food and cooking and their impact on the lives of everyone, especially children, and other groups of vulnerable people. At Fifteen the charity does this by training young people in need of a break for a successful career in the restaurant industry, and graduates go on to work in restaurants throughout the UK.
How to make herb vinegars..
Jekka supports apprentices in this way each year: "I totally admire these guys for their interest, enthusiasm and growing expertise, and the Foundation provides the launch pad to a great career".
Jekka spent a very enjoyable few hours, showing the trainee chefs how to prepare the herbs, how to maximise on the flavours and how best to incorporate them into dishes.
If you're interested in making herb butters and vinegars, then see Jekka's 'New Book of Herbs', or keep an eye out for 'Jekka's Herb Cookbook', to be published in June 2010.
..and herb butters at the
Jamie Oliver Foundation
Herb talks a plenty..
March saw Jekka travelling to Belfast, to give a lecture on Culinary Herbs for the Horticulture Lecture of the Year Association.
Shortly after, Jekka was off to the Isle of Wight, to talk to Ventnor Botanic Garden Friends Society on Native Herbs of the UK -
Native herbs are a hot topic as 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity, and we're all doing our bit by growing plants which provide a natural habitat for beneficial bees, butterflies and wildlife.
The following Monday evening, Jekka was in Nailsea, Bristol, talking to FAGUS Garden Club about 'Essential Culinary Herbs'.
Just a week after that, Jekka visited Edinburgh, as the keynote speaker at Scotland's Garden Scheme's AGM..phew- a busy March indeed!
For contact details of the talks, and more lectures throughout the year, see our Calendar...
Horticulture Lecture of the Year Filipendula vulgaris, Dropwort-
a native herb, the subject of Jekka's talk to Ventnor Botanic Garden Friends Society
President of the RHS, Giles Coode-Adams presents the Lawrence Medal to Jekka
Jekka is awarded the RHS Lawrence Medal...
Jekka was delighted to be awarded the RHS Lawrence Medal in February at the RHS annual awards ceremony in London, for her organic herb exhibit at the Chelsea Flower Show 2009.
The Lawrence Medal is awarded to
the best exhibit shown to the RHS during the year. "This is a first for an organic nursery, and for a herb nursery" says 14 times Chelsea gold medal winner, Jekka. As a relatively small nursery competing with large, non-organic growers from all over the world, the Lawrence Medal Award represents a great achievement for Jekka and the team.
Colin Spires presenting the
Colin Spires Herb Trophy to Jekka
..as if that weren't enough, Jekka was also thrilled to be presented with the Colin Spires Herb Trophy.
This is awarded for the best exhibit of medicinal and/or culinary herbs staged during the year at an RHS show.
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