PRESS RELEASE

Thursday 10th December

A Taste of the Chilterns!

The Chilterns AONB is a living, working area of beautiful countryside whose character has been shaped by agriculture, industry and the people who have lived and worked here over the centuries. Once the larder of , the historic market towns, tucked-away villages, pubs, farmland, chalk- fed streams and ancient woods all hint at the growing, trading and of course, enjoyment of good local food and drink.

Here are our Top Tastes’ of the Chilterns

1. Make mine a local brew

Real ales and craft beers are enjoying a revival, and the Chilterns has plenty on tap. From the oldest and traditional of brewers, the Chilterns Brewery to modern Malt the Brewery (winner of Best Micro Brewery in the 2015 Food & Drink Awards), there is an award-winning line- up of classic cask and bottle-conditioned as well as speciality, seasonal brews to keep things interesting for your customers.

2. Rearing rare breeds

The Chilterns countryside is home to family-run farms and smallholdings producing succulent, flavourful and sustainably-sourced meat for your dishes. Local specialities include woodland- reared Tamworth pork from Black Pig Chilterns, organic Oxford Sandy & Black pork from Drovers Hill Farm near Saunderton, grass-fed lamb and hogget (8 breeds!) from Chiltern Lamb in the Valley, and free- range chicken and turkey from Potash Farm Foods near Tring. Alternatively, you could source Chilterns-reared meat from a local butcher such as Egg House Butchery in Haddenham & Quainton - known for their award-winning sausages, burgers & bacon - and K&B Family Butchers in .

3. Chilterns-cured

Swap the old continental varieties for some local artisan-made cured meats for your deli-loving customers. These producers are taking locally-reared meat from Chilterns farms and turning it into the tastiest salami, chorizo, coppa, bresaola and more. The Merry Pig near Wendover goes from pig pen to plate, rearing their own Berkshire and Large Black pigs and making traditionally- flavoured salami and pancetta. For more unusual flavour combinations, check out the seasonal salami range from Curious Foods in Tring. Chiltern Charcuterie near hand-craft a wide range of cured beef, lamb, pork and venison, all sourced from local rare breed farms.

4. I heard it on the Chilterns-vine Since Roman times, vines have been grown on the chalky slopes of the Chilterns and Thames Valley. Along with a surge of interest in English wine, today’s local winemakers are producing both classic styles and unique blends - bringing Chilterns terroir into the glass. Chiltern Valley Winery & Brewery in the Hambleden Valley is one of the most established winemakers producing a range of white, rose, red and sparkling wines. Award-winning local bubbly is made in the traditional Champagne method at Daws Hill Vineyard near in both white and rose varieties.

5. The Chilterns larder

Fields of yellow, apple orchards and buzzing bees...a Chilterns larder wouldn’t be complete without these artisanal products that go straight from field to bottle or jar. Mead & Sons Farm near Tring produce the versatile and award-winning Chiltern Cold- Pressed Rapeseed Oil. Their crops are pollinated by local bees who produce delicious golden honey - try Parslow Apiaries in and Berkhamsted.

6. Go wild with local game

Make the most of game season and put this nutritious, sustainable and flavourful local food on the menu. With many well-managed estates in the Chilterns, there is a plentiful supply of game, normally between October and February. Wild Game Direct near Great Missenden is a game farm rearing pheasants in the spring and summer and supplying a range of game - pheasant, partridge, rabbit, venison as well as sausages and burgers - from their partner estates across the Chilterns during the hunting season. Chiltern Wild Game from Stockings Farm near Amersham also supplies a full range of local game as well as traditionally-reared pork and lamb.

7. Udderly local

The truth is that the Chilterns landscape doesn’t lend itself to a lot of dairy production. The good news is that there are a few gems that shouldn’t be missed. Wobbly Bottom Farm near Hitchin produce a beautiful range of goat’s cheese from their herd of Saanen, Alpine and Toggenburg goats. Formerly from St Albans, Childwickbury Goats Cheese is now produced a bit further north in Bedfordshire. Also check out the new Nettlebed Creamery producing organic cow’s milk cheese near Henley.

8. Into the woods we go!

Take a cue from some of the best chefs who forage for seasonal ingredients right in their backyard. Whilst many think of autumn berries and mushrooms, try some springtime foraging instead. The Chilterns’ shaded ancient woodlands provide the perfect conditions for fragrant wild garlic. You might also find young beech leaves, sorrel, chervil and definitely the versatile nettle!

Look out for more ideas and Chilterns inspiration in 2016. ends -

Notes to Editors • This release has been distributed by the Chilterns Tourism Network, a not-for-profit company representing over 220 local Chilterns tourism businesses who work together to promote this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as a desirable place to visit. • Membership of the CTN is free for qualifying tourism businesses. • The Chilterns stretches from the Thames in Oxfordshire through Buckinghamshire and Bed- fordshire to Hitchin in Hertfordshire, north-west of London • Accessible on Chiltern Railways, London Midland and the Metropolitan Line on the Underground. • For Chilterns events @VisitChilterns and http://pinterest.com/visitchilterns/ • High-res images are available on the website. visitchilterns.co.uk/gallery • A Chilterns press pack is available on request, and for further information or to discuss press trip opportunities, please contact Mary Tebje 07941 841058 or through [email protected] • With thanks to the Chilterns Conservation Board and the following Food and Drink ambassadors for sponsoring this campaign: No2 Pound Street, Tring Brewery, The Crown at Radnage, Alford Arms and the Royal Oak in Marlow.