Nik dons some boots and heads out to the wilds of Zone 6 to forage in the woods with Caorunn Gin. Strap yourselves in for a PR excursion like no other!
And it’s true. Press previews, free samples and canapé stuffed product launches are no longer enough to grab column inches. Sure, some writers will throw up a few words having foie gras-ed their liver on canapés and cocktails, but for many of us, something different needs to be offered to prevent an invite going straight into trash.
So that’s why, on a Wednesday afternoon (a little while back), I rode the tube until the buffers, hitched-up my rucksack and headed into the 4g filled wilderness of Epping Forest. We were here to learn about foraging from a guy whose name I forget, but who obviously knew what he was talking about.
A pleasant afternoon followed of sunshine, woodland and a stretch of the legs. But there was an ulterior motive here though. There always is, of course. We weren’t here to learn about the tasty and deadly plants of the forest for nothing! Nope, the good folks at Caorunn Gin had a point to make – half the botanicals that go into their gin are foraged from the land outside their Scottish distillery.
That works, no? Perfect!
What else works is near endless nibbles and a five course meal at the end of the foraging expedition. Well, all that walking, talking and learning leaves a man hungry.
By this stage, my belly was full. Honestly, a lobster broth, vegetables and meat, all accompanied with bread, is a lot of food and although I’d been out walking, I’m not the fattest guy you’ll meet, so there weren’t many places to put it. Next up a duo of lamb. Duo? One would be enough! I picked at it – nice as it was, there seriously was no room left at the Inn. Then a heather honey parfait. Okay, this one was light and my sweet tooth never lets me down. I finished it, just.
As for South Place, it was a very tasty menu, but one that had me defeated. I’ll return soon and see if they can impress me with a slightly smaller meal.
You want more boy?!