Gathering Beautiful Food

It was cool and still when I set off.

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One of those May mornings where the light is soft and the roads are almost empty.
And you feel quietly glad to be alive.
The air smelt divinely musty and fragrant.
I was heading off to pick up a few beautiful things.
For guests arriving at my door very soon.
Bread and pastries from Lovingly Artisan.
Raw milk from Low Sizergh Barn.
Coffee from Rins.
Meat and eggs from Roast Mutton.

Each one a small business.
Run by people who care deeply about what they make.
I think a lot about the journey our food takes before it reaches us.
All the hands that nurture it.
Long days. Crazy weather. Endless patience.
Heroic people working with nature.
Without them where would we be?

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Food made with devotion tastes different.
I know this to be true.
You can feel it deep in your soul.
In the smell and taste of ancient grains in a perfect sourdough
In the brilliant yellow of a fresh egg.
In the first sip of a carefully sourced and made coffee.
These are not small things.

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There is a ritual in my preparation that I love.
Before anyone even arrives.
I meditate.
I think. I plan.
The process of choosing the perfect ingredient for a dish fills me with joy
All considered. All chosen with care.
Because what I’m really doing, long before anyone arrives, is setting an intention.
This will be a very special day.

There are many ways to show love.
Making food is just one.

I drove home with my car full and my heart even fuller.
Excited to unpack and get cooking.
Grateful and happy.
And especially grateful to nature for making food so damn delicious.

Love always
Janie x