Mapping Out the Dorset Foodie Feed

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21 August 2021

This month I had the pleasure of catching up with Heather Brown, our own amazing Food Writer and Columnist, to talk about the Dorset Foodie Feed website.

Earlier this year Heather was accepted to become a a member of the Guild of Food Writers – the professional association of food writers and broadcasters in the UK. She works with national brands such as Marks & Spencer, Splenda and Roberts Radio as well as many local Dorset brands such as Urban Guild, Purbeck Ice Cream, Conker and The Scented Botanist.

The Dorset Foodie Feed website was started in 2011 by John Grindle, originally as ‘West Dorset Foodie’. John’s love of ‘great food, fishing and helping people’ grew the site, and he started taking on new Dorset writers. By 2015 there were four individual sites in the Dorset Foodie Feed family – West Dorset Foodie, East Dorset Foodie, North Dorset Foodie and Purbeck Foodie. In 2017 all four sites were brought together to create the Dorset Foodie Feed family.

So what is it that Heather loves so much about the Dorset food scene specifically? Is there something special about the food and drink producers in our county?

“The community! I used to live in a place where the competition between businesses was fierce, but it’s the opposite in Dorset. Business owners are always willing to help someone out, lend a hand or make something bespoke for a menu or client. People are always willing and ready to collaborate too, which opens the door to new and fabulous flavours and experiences for customers, all made with local ingredients and created by local people.”

So with your own business keeping you busy, what was it about Dorset Foodie Feed that made you take it on?

“I have been writing recipes and restaurant reviews since 2013, and I joined the Dorset Foodie Feed team in 2015. When John wanted to retire, I jumped at the chance to take on the challenge, and I am so pleased I did. I made the decision to rebuild the entire site at the end of 2019 and relaunched in January 2020 – who knew how timely that would be?!

“I am so grateful that I could use Dorset Foodie Feed to help

connect new customers to local businesses throughout the Pandemic, and I am proud of how the site has grown and developed, with the Directory being added at the end of 2020.

“It has been hundreds of hours of my time poured into a website and social pages that don’t earn me any money beyond the odd free meal, but it is such a privilege to be able to help the food and drink sector that have struggled so much this past 18 months.

“I’m passionate about local food, and I was eager to make it really easy for locals to know where their local food businesses are (and of course to lead tourists to the smaller, hidden businesses they’ll love). I managed to secure grant funding from Dorset Growth Hub to employ a developer, and we built on the Directory feature to the site.

“Now, customers can search a database of nearly 650 local food and drink businesses by using their postcode and/or type of business (farm shop, cafe etc). The businesses are then listed on a map closest to your location.

“Dorset Foodie Feed has been posting recipes and reviews since 2012, and all those reviews are linked to the listings; you can check out what we think about the restaurants and products too, along with reviews from other local bloggers and writers.”

So if I’m a small local food or drink business, can I be listed on the DFF map? Even if I’m a tiny business that simply makes jams… How much does it cost? Are there qualifying criteria?

“Its free to list and its free to use! You simply need to be a food and/or drink business based in Dorset. I wanted to make sure that anyone could use the site to find their local businesses, and that any business, large or tiny could list. All I need to get a business listed is a link to your website.”

I was curious as to what type of business is the most searched for on the site – are more people hunting for a great cup of coffee, some locally made cheese or honey or the best Sunday lunch?

“Local people are looking out of curiosity, simply to find new places close to them, regardless of business type. The comment I hear over and again is

‘I searched using my postcode and found an amazing shop just down the road that I didn’t know was there!’.

“Tourists are often looking for cafes and restaurants and with that in mind, I have also curated some shorter, recommended ‘great places to eat’ lists for someone who just wants to see some highlights, for a weekend break for example.”

So what’s next for Heather as the directory continues to grow?

“Once the summer season ends, I’m aware local businesses will have some time to start to thinking about how they want to move forward post-pandemic. There are some talented niche experts in Dorset that would love to help and I’m currently working on how best to join them together!”

By: Laura Hitchcock

RED LIST WINES

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Editorial team

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21 August 2021

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Exploring the world from a glass

Since the pandemic outbreak and consequent lockdown restrictions over the last year or so, we’ve noticed a real embrace from customers to take a break from ‘the traditional’. An area that this has been extremely apparent is with rosé wines – we are finally at a stage where the consensus from our lovely customers is ‘there is more to rosé than Provence’, which is music to our ears. As much as we love an outstanding glass of crisp rosé, it’s very naïve to believe that only Provence can produce such a beauty.

The pink stuff aside, we have sensed a more adventurous wine palate from our customers across the board – we think due to travel restrictions and the appeal of literally experiencing a distant culture from a wine glass in the comfort of your own home, garden or local beach (yes beach, not bench!)

So, this month, I wanted to do something a little different and showcase 5 little gems from a handful of countries on the travel ‘Red List’ at time of writing. Let’s go on a little wine trip together!

Argentina

Karim Mussi Los Poetas Semillon – if you like your white wines to have flavour but with a rounded, fresh vibe, then this wine should be in your wine rack. Tropical fruit, with some herbal notes, make it a perfect accompaniment with most fish dishes and summer salads.

Chile

Bouchon Pais Salvaje – this wine is one of the most labour-intensive wines to produce as all the grapes are hand harvested. Pais (pronounced pa- ees) is grown in a forest and requires hand harvesting on ladders – some of which are over 5 metres tall. Hints of strawberry, cherries, spice and even banana, delicious.

Bouchon Granito Semillon – one of the best wines I have drunk in the last 5 years. This really is a wine that you can taste the 120-million-year-old soil on which the grapes have been grown from, hence the name ‘granito’ – granite soil. The vines were planted in the 1940’s and have incredibly deep roots. Complex fruit expressions from start to finish with subtle oak and a wonderful minerality throughout. A real treat that leaves you wanting more.

South Africa

Niel Joubert Byker Chenin Blanc – a new addition to our range and just perfect for sunny days. For lovers of Sauvignon Blanc, I always say that a Chenin ‘has all the fruit of a Sauvignon but without the acidity’ and this really is a little gem.

Uruguay

Vinedo de los Vientos Notos Nebbiolo – what a wine; fruity from start to finish with an awesome medium to full bodied palate. Most people associate Nebbiolo with Italy, but it really is worth sampling an alternative twist on the grape. This beauty has been produced by a boutique micro winery at a crazily high altitude in Uruguay. Travel the world with wine and sample two examples side by side.

By: Sadie Wilkins Vinyards of Sherborne

MONTEFORD, Doris

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Editorial team

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21 August 2021

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DORIS MONTEFORD

Peacefully passed away on 16th August 2021 Aged 92

With her loving daughters, son and son in law by her side.

Doris will be sadly missed by her loving family and dear friends.

Forever in our hearts

The Surge in Tree Planting: Potential Benefits and Risks for the Planet

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Laura

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21 August 2021

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“For every T-shirt purchase, we’ll plant a tree”. The same goes for every bottle of wine and every credit card swipe. Countries and companies are all planting trees to meet global pledges and boost sustainability records.

The climate crisis is getting worse, but businesses, consumers, nonprofits, and governments worldwide are planting billions of trees. This helps create jobs, captures carbon, and enhances ecosystems.

However, many of these poorly executed projects can actually harm the environment. Wrong tree choices and locations can reduce biodiversity, increasing extinctions and weakening ecosystems.

Biodiversity loss, like climate change, is a pressing global issue. Extinction rates are soaring, with millions of species at risk. Ecosystem collapse threatens our food and water sources.

To combat this, companies and countries are planting non-native trees to fight climate change. Even the Irish Lottery provider Lottoland started planting trees as an ecofriendly move. While they store carbon, they do little for local biodiversity.

Experts advise planting the right tree in the right place for the right reasons. However, defining “right” varies among stakeholders. Some prioritize carbon storage and timber; others focus on fruit trees for small farmers or native species regeneration.

The best efforts consider various needs but face challenges due to conflicting interests, making it a complex endeavor.

‘Harm in the Name of Doing Good’

The Earth lacks sufficient land to combat climate change solely with trees, but when combined with significant reductions in fossil fuels, trees become a vital natural solution. They capture carbon dioxide through their leaves and store it in their branches and trunks, though they also emit carbon when they burn or decompose. This capacity to gather CO2 is why forests are often called carbon sinks.

In Central Africa, the French oil and gas giant TotalEnergies intends to plant trees across 40,000 hectares in the Republic of Congo. Located on the Batéké Plateau, a diverse landscape of grasslands, wooded savannas, and pockets of dense forests, this project could sequester over 10 million tons of carbon dioxide in 20 years, according to the company.

Tree planting in Uganda – many seedlings are grown with wooden racks to protect them against rain and sun. Image: Dennis Wegewijs, Shutterstock

Nicolas Terraz, then Total’s senior vice president for Africa, exploration, and production, stated in a 2021 company announcement, “Total is committed to developing natural carbon sinks in Africa as part of our efforts to reduce emissions and achieve net zero by 2050.”

To attain net-zero status, businesses must remove as much carbon from the atmosphere as they emit. Many, like TotalEnergies, are turning to trees for assistance. On the Batéké Plateau, a type of Australian acacia tree slated for selective logging will cover a vast area.

The project, a component of the Congolese government’s initiative to expand forested areas and enhance carbon storage, is expected to generate employment opportunities and ultimately enhance biodiversity as indigenous species are allowed to flourish over decades.

However, scientists caution that this approach may exemplify one of the most detrimental forms of afforestation: planting trees where they wouldn’t naturally grow. Such projects can harm biodiversity, jeopardize water supplies, and even raise temperatures because, in some instances, trees absorb heat that grasslands—or, in other regions, snow—would have reflected.

Bethanie Walder, executive director of the Society for Ecological Restoration, a global nonprofit, remarked, “We don’t want to cause harm in the name of doing good.”

The Batéké Plateau is one of the least-explored ecosystems in Africa, according to environmental scientist Paula Nieto Quintano, who has specialized in the region. Dr. Nieto stated, “Its significance for local livelihoods, ecology, and ecosystem functions are poorly understood.”

View from Parc National des Plateaux Batéké. Image: wlkyk, Shutterstock

Those studying forest restoration emphasize that trees alone cannot solve all problems. “I fear that many corporations and governments view this as an easy way out,” said Robin Chazdon, a professor of tropical forest restoration at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia. “They may not feel as compelled to make rigorous emissions reductions as they can claim, ‘We’re offsetting that by planting trees.’”

‘There Have Been Bad Actors’

While all trees store carbon, their benefits vary based on the species and planting location. For example, Eucalyptus trees grow quickly and straight, making them valuable for lumber. Native to Australia and nearby islands, they provide sustenance to koalas due to their unique poison tolerance. However, when grown in Africa and South America for timber, fuel, and carbon storage, they offer fewer advantages to wildlife and may contribute to water depletion and increased wildfires.

Forest restoration and carbon sequestration are intricate tasks, and commercial species serve essential roles. Timber is a renewable resource with a lower carbon footprint than concrete or steel, and it’s needed for various purposes, including paper and cooking fuel. Planting fast-growing species for harvest can sometimes aid in preserving native forests. Additionally, strategically incorporating native species in tree farms can support biodiversity by creating wildlife corridors.

Michael Becker, head of communications at 1t.org, emphasizes the necessity of involving the private sector in the restoration movement. This group, established by the World Economic Forum, aims to conserve and expand one trillion trees through private investment, even though historical bad practices need to be rectified.

A challenge lies in the fact that supporting biodiversity doesn’t offer the same financial returns as carbon storage or timber markets. Although many governments have set reforestation standards, they often allow considerable flexibility. For instance, Wales incentivizes tree planting but requires only 25 percent of native species for government subsidies.

Forest of eucalyptus tree in Sao Paulo state, Brazil. Image: Alf Ribeiro, Shutterstock

In regions like Kenya, Brazil, and Peru, eucalyptus and teak are increasingly grown on land that once teemed with diverse ecosystems. This trend is driven by investor preference for these well-known species, which command higher prices.

Enrique Toledo, the general manager of Reforesta Perú, explains that international demand for these species remains unmet, making them appealing to investors.

‘The Same Species All Over the World’

When businesses pledge to plant trees for each product sold, they typically partner with nonprofit organizations collaborating with communities globally. These efforts might involve reforestation post-wildfires or providing fruit and nut trees to farmers. However, such projects can sometimes harm biodiversity.

According to a recent report, the planet hosts nearly 60,000 tree species, with roughly one-third facing extinction threats, mainly due to agriculture, grazing, and exploitation. Yet, only a small portion of these species gets widely planted globally, as indicated by tree planting groups and scientists.

Meredith Martin, an assistant professor of forestry at North Carolina State University, noted that nonprofit tree-planting initiatives in tropical regions often prioritize people’s livelihoods over biodiversity and carbon storage. This approach could eventually lead to a decline in forest biodiversity.

Nonprofit tree planting organizations often claim they plant non-native tree species due to local community preferences. However, Susan Chomba, responsible for forest restoration and conservation in Africa at the World Resources Institute, suggests a different perspective. When farmers have the opportunity to consider their land’s goals, they often remember that more trees meant more streams, indicating a desire for restored water sources.

NGO groups are compensating individuals for collecting indiginous seeds from nearby forests. Image: Media Lens King, Shutterstock

Dr. Chomba explains that engaging with local knowledge makes it possible to identify suitable indigenous tree species for ecosystem water restoration. The main challenge lies in the limited availability of indigenous seeds at local seed banks, typically dominated by popular commercial species. Some groups address this issue by compensating individuals for collecting seeds from nearby forests.

Experts propose an alternative solution, allowing forests to regenerate naturally. This approach can be cost-effective and efficient in areas with minimal degradation or proximity to existing forests. Simply protecting certain areas from grazing can enable the return of trees, benefiting both carbon sequestration and biodiversity.

Dr. Chazdon sums it up by emphasizing the wisdom of nature: “Nature knows much more than we do.”

Brad Scoops ‘Best Estate Agent’ in Shaftesbury

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Editorial team

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21 August 2021

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Meyers has been named as the ‘best estate agent’ in Shaftesbury by the British Property Awards.

The assessment for the award was a secret and detailed process of evaluation including a series of mystery shopping calls and correspondence designed to test responsiveness, customer service and professionalism – all arranged by the British Property Awards’ team.

Brad Hansford joined Meyers Estate Agents as a self-employed franchisee for Shaftesbury in September 2019. He now runs the successful Shaftesbury agency with his partner Tamsin Bell.

Brad began working in property at the age of 18, and is proud to already be an award-winning agency in only his second year of trading as Meyers’ in Shaftesbury.

“I am proud to be known for our reliability. We genuinenly care about our customers, and I believe it’s our attention to detail and quality service which sets us apart.

The past 18 months have been a challneging time for everyone, but the Estate Agency world has been turned on its head – from lockdowns stopping all business, to the ‘property goldrush’ creating unforseen workloads.

Brad agrees “to be named as a British Property Award winner in this of all years is something special.”

Brad Hansford has close connections with the local Shaftesbury community: In the past year, Brad has contributed £500 for the plants and flowers for a ‘outside garden area’ association with The Blackmore Vale Partnership (Local Doctor Surgery) supporting those with mental health problems, and he is also currently working with The Headstrong Project, a local group who support men’s mental health in addition to setting up a voucher scheme in support of local businesses in the area.

Mark Meyer, CEO, Meyers Estate Agents said “Over the past decade, Meyers’ unique business model has proved the need for an expensive high street presence is no longer necessary provided the systems are in place for agents to offer clients exceptional levels of service. All Meyers offices thrive on local connections, reputation and recommendations”.

By: Laura Hitchcock

A Cheesy trio of canapés.

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Editorial team

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20 August 2021

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We are all finally allowed to begin to meet together again and with in person events beginning to reappear, here are some easy to make canapés to wow your friends. 2 out of these 3 recipes don’t even require any cooking, just a layering of ingredients which together, taste incredible.

Cheese is pretty versatile in a canapé and with so much local cheese on offer, it would be shame not to make the most of it in these recipes. You can buy a soft goat’s cheese from just across the border in Salisbury from Rosary Goats Cheese. You can find soft cheese and blue cheese from The Book & Bucket Cheese Company as well as some blue cheese from Dorset Blue Vinny.

I would highly recommend getting hold of some local honey if you can, the more local to you the better. You can find local honey in most farm shops across the county, as well as delis and even in some local coffee shops too. It tastes like the countryside and helps to make these canapés really sing.

Dorset Cheese Canapés — Tomato & Goats cheese canape – ***Image Heather Brown***

Tomato & Goat’s Cheese Canapé

1 packet of ready rolled puff pastry* 1 small punnet of cherry tomatoes 1 packet of soft goat’s cheese
1 tube of tomato puree

a little honey
some egg or milk to glaze the pastry.

Preheat the oven to Gas 5/180 fan.
Grease and line 2 baking trays with baking parchment.

Whilst you are getting the ingredients ready, cut the cherry tomatoes in half and place onto one of the baking trays. Drizzle with olive oil and roast in the oven for 20 minutes.

Roll out the puff pastry and cut into 1-2 inch square pieces.
Place the pieces onto the baking trays and space out a little.
Spread a little of the tomato puree onto each square, leaving a little border of pastry around the edge. You can also add a tiny drizzle of honey here to mix into the tomato puree as you spread. Glaze the edges of the pastry with a little egg or milk so that they turn golden in the oven. Place a small piece of the goats cheese onto the pastry square, along with one of the roasted cherry tomato halves.
Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is cooked.

*This recipe also works well with homemade pastry if you have the time to make your own. You can also use gluten free puff pastry if required.

Grapefruit and cream cheese Canapé

1 grapefruit
100g soft cream cheese 1 packet melba thins
a little local honey
black pepper

Cut the grapefruit in half and then remove the segments of the fruit as whole as you can.
Lay out the melba thins out so you can easily top them. You can break them in half if you would like smaller canapés.
Top the melba thins with the cream cheese (using teaspoons or a piping bag).
Grind some black pepper over the cheese.
Top with a grapefruit segment.

Drizzle the whole canapé with some local honey.

Apricot and blue cheese Canapés.

Soft dried ‘ready to eat’ apricots. Some local blue cheese.
Some local honey.
Walnut halves.

Layer together the ingredients; starting with the apricots, then some blue cheese, a walnut half and topped with a generous drizzle of local honey.

This might sound ridiculously simple but the combination of these 4 flavours is incredible all together. I would recommend getting local blue cheese and local honey as they pack much more flavour than a supermarket brand.

**Apricot and blue cheese Canapé** – **Image Rebecca Smale**

By: Heather Brown

Garden Jobs for August

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Editorial team

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20 August 2021

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The unusually hot weather we had late July was a real test for some garden plants …( and gardeners)! To ensure your plants do well, keep on top of the watering especially in hot weather … water throughly.

Image: *shutterstock* – All plants do best if you water them deeply instead of giving them small amounts of water frequently. When you water deeply, the water reaches the entire length of the plant’s root system. This in turn encourages the roots to go even deeper and makes the plant more drought resistant, since there are more roots to soak up water. Shallow watering encourages a shallow root system that is closer to the surface and dries out quickly.

Plants absorb water through their roots – not the leaves – so try to get the water onto the soil.

The best time to water plants is early morning – as this allows the foliage to dry quickly which discourages fungal spores. If you have to water in the evening, it is best to water at the roots and not on the leaves, as this reduces any fungal problems when leaves are left wet overnight.

Plants in containers may well need watering twice a day – early morning AND evening!

Keep removing weeds.

Hydrangeas in containers need to be kept well watered. Rhododendrons and Camellias also need to be kept moist, especially now, as next year’s buds are developing.

Dahlias are especially thirsty plants – these need to be watched and watered carefully.

Keep feeding all container plants with liquid fertiliser – once a week if possible.

Prune all summer flowering shrubs after the flowers are finished.

Remove the long whip side shoots from Wisteria to approx 20cm from the main stem – (to 5 or 6 leaves). This will help control the growth and encourage flowing next year. Wisteria also needs pruning again in January or February next year.

Trim lavender plants after flowering to keep their shape.

Recycling tips:

Conserve water wherever possible. Use water butts as much as possible – old washing up water can be used (when cool).

Old carpet can be used by gardeners in lots of ways… to cover compost heaps, lining ponds to protect the liner from stones in the soil, and also use it as a weed suppressant on a veg plot.

Don’t throw away the water when you boil vegetables for meals. Pop outside and pour it over the weeds that are appearing on the patio. Scalding hot water is guaranteed to damage even the toughest of weeds!

Ice Lolly sticks can be re-used as plant labels ….

Enjoy the summer and sit back and plan for next year ….‘Now’s the Time’… to order next year’s Spring bulbs and perennials for this autumn planting.

By: Pete Harcom

Head Gardener

Sherton Abbas Gardening

07380 642 363

GELLAND, Ian

By

Editorial team

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20 August 2021

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Ian Gelland

On the 15th August 2021, aged 79 years

Much loved husband of Carole, beloved father of Ellen and Clair.

Private family funera. Any donations to the Dorset Air Ambulance

The Sturminster Newton Chees Festival Returns on 11th & 12th September

By

Editorial team

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20 August 2021

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Arrangements are well in hand and it’s all systems go for the team behind Sturminster Newton’s Cheese Festival.

Nineteen Cheese Producers are already booked to make it a very special (and cheesy) event – as usual it’s planned to have the traditional food and craft stalls, real ale and real cider tents.

Live music, Punch and Judy, Morris dancing, children’s entertainment and of course plenty of cheese making, cheese tasting, cookery demonstrations and cheese-related events.

Entry is £7 pp, children 15 and under go free.

Tickets need to be pre purchased on line, remember to add free tickets for children if required, at www.cheesefestival.co.uk

Just follow Eliza Mouse!