Market Report - UK Seasonal update 12 August 2013

In association with

  Good morning chef, We are getting closer to a month with an “R” in it, when I’ll be able to switch from granola to a dozen oysters each morning for breakfast. Any chef worth a carrot will be working on autumnal menus, and our autumn/winter collection will be all about refined rustic this year. Hot and dry conditions in Europe are burning out summer favourites, and the clever money will be edging towards crops which flourish in the season when the leaves go golden brown. Fresh Wild Mushrooms

•  Girolles from Belarus.
• Scottish Girolles - We will find out how the pickers got on by Monday. One thing is for sure supply is scarce and rain is needed for quality and quantity.
• Trompette from Romania.

Fresh Truffles The summer truffle season was all washed up this time last year. We are very much still in full swing and prices are rock bottom. I’ve just treated myself to a 64g beauty to add texture and aroma to a marinated and seared beef carpaccio I have teed up for later this week. Fruits  Strawberries are suffering. For those who want to cling onto classic summer flavours, exploit the last few weeks of the wild and wild cross breed mara des bois strawberry from Kent. These unusual varieties remain robust. A myriad of peaches, nectarines and apricots are still excellent, and should keep us company throughout September. It warmed the cockles this week to see an experienced customer tweet that a blood nectarine supplied by us represented the “Best fruit I ever had.” Enough to make even a battle hardened buyer glow with pride. By the end of the week we will be enjoying the little trio of fruits below.

•  Muscat - Let’s see if our favourite grape has the right sugar levels. Early this week.
• Mirabelles - Sitting pretty next to greengages. Always the first of the decent plums. From now.
• Bursa Turkish Figs - Darker, sweeter and juicier than your average dusty green relative from Brazil. By the end of the week.

Vegetables We are yet to make the leap into broadening our squash repertoire. Baby vegetable quality is excellent. Brassicas are booming with romanesco and coloured cauliflowers leading the way. Wood sorrel supply is sound for next week. Jersey royals continue. Beets stay strong and pulses still pump. Great Game We have long legged young grouse booked from both Scotland and Yorkshire next week. Building on massive growth each year we will be supplementing our wild animal offering this year with additional deer and bird preparations. Genuine French wild boar joins the party in the first week of September.  Venison will be stocked from next week. Fallow deer in particular from the South Downs should not be just for the winter months. I for one am more than ready to embrace autumn. For more info about what else is in stock give us a ring at HQ on 020 7498 5397.