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Jekka McVicar
Herb Events

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
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.

If not, check our Calendar for future appearances...

   

Sampling and signing at
Toppings of Bath

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
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!

Our next Open Days are September 3rd, 4th & 5th ...

Jekka at the Garden Museum

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!

Garden Museum book signing
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.




Making herb vinegars at the Jamie Oliver Foundation
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.

Making herb butters at the Jamie Oliver Foundation
..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
Horticulture Lecture of the Year
Filipendula vulgaris, Dropwort
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
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.

Read our January press release about the Lawrence Medal award..

Colin Spires presenting the Colin Spires Herb Trophy to Jekka
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.

 

Newsletter

Did you receive our August newsletter? If not, sign up to receive the next one; hear our latest news, details of special offers, open days, herbal hints and seasonal tips & recipes by clicking here.

 Calendar

 Shows

 Open Days


Our new catalogue for 2010 is now available. Click here to view or download now.
Please note we are not open to the public except on our Open Days - click here for dates and more information.
Jekka's Herb Farm, Rose Cottage, Shellards Lane, Alveston, Bristol, BS35 3SY  - Tel: 01454 418878 Email: sales@jekkasherbfarm.com