Showcasing flavours of the New Forest

True local produce was showcased to almost 80 guests at our Flavours of the New Forest Marque tasting event on Monday evening.

Guests from the local hospitality and retail industries tucked into a special menu created by the team at Burley Manor with ingredients from New Forest Marque members.

The barns at Burley Manor were decorated with displays allowing guests to browse beautiful crafts and read about New Forest Marque produce, while a series of presentations from members took place throughout the evening. Marque members were invited to provide ingredients for the dinner based on their ability to scale up or supply produce suitable for commercial settings.

Claire Lee, New Forest Marque Operations Manager, said: ‘It was great to see everybody in person and celebrating all that is so special about local produce. Great food and drink, fantastic venue, excellent speakers and fabulous displays.

‘This was a true showcase of local produce with over 20 New Forest Marque producers featured and many more with their produce on display throughout the evening. There’s no doubt that our guests were treated to a fabulous Flavours of the New Forest Marque event.’

Speakers included Krysia Watson from Watsons of Norleywood Honey, Richard Frampton from Harrow Wood Farm Cider, Sandy Boothe from the New Forest Fruit Company and Mike Smales from Lyburn Farmhouse Cheesemakers. There was also a presentation on commoning with Andrew Parry Norton from The Commoners Larder.

Claire added: ‘The repeated message throughout the evening was it is so good to be back together and celebrating all things local. For all those involved a huge thank you. To our guests thank you for joining us and supporting local producers, please get out there and talk about the event and help to spread the word and raise awareness of the New Forest Marque.’

All guests went home with a gift bag which included a copy of the New Forest Marque Local Produce Guide, a box of New Forest Shortbread and a bottle of Harrow Wood Farm Cider.

See the full menu and photos from the event below.