Chef uses local produce at market

8:40am Monday 12th November 2007

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There was something for everyone at the November Orton Farmers' Market last Saturday with a children's hunt the frogs competition, news stallholders and a cookery demonstration by local chef, Diana Brown, using a range of produce from the market.

Frogs...

Frogs, fungi and fantastic food at Orton

Shelley Riddell of Bessy Beck Trout organised the children's frog hunt and about 28 youngsters took part, finding tropical frog models among the produce on the Market.

"We wanted to bring a bit of fun into the day for some of our younger visitors and everyone seemed to really enjoy it," she said. "The hunt also had the practical purpose of showing people the wide variety of stalls, both inside the Market Hall and outside."

Fungi...

Saturday was the first visit to Orton for mushroom farmer, Chris Thornborrow of Oakwood Country Growers. His bags of fresh organic mushrooms sold well during the day and a selection of them was used in the cookery demonstration too.

"I have a stall on a couple of Farmers' Markets further south," said Chris, who farms near Forton in North Lancashire. "The customers at Orton seem to have been interested in the mushrooms, I had a good day for sales and I hope to be back for future markets here."

Fantastic food...

The November Market was a first visit to Orton for Diana Brown too and she gathered a crowd for her demonstration of making savoury hazelnut roulade and venison burgers.

"I'd made the roulade in advance," explained Diana, "but then used smoked trout pate from Bessy Beck Trout and soft Lancashire cheese from Leagram Organic for the fillings along with some salad leaves from my garden. The burgers were made with minced venison from Deer n Dexter and served with Broughton Village Bakery bread rolls, chutneys from Pickled Pink and Outreamer and a selection of fresh vegetables from Bluebell Organics and Pimlotts. There was a lovely range of fresh produce from which to choose. I just loved sharing the passion of the producers and being able to work with such committed people."

The next Orton Farmers' Market opens at 9.30am on Saturday 8 December and will have a special Christmas theme and atmosphere. Seasonal refreshments will be available throughout the day in the Market Hall, at All Saints Church and also at the two local cafés and The George Hotel.