The Independent Shopper: Gordon Stott

We’re lucky enough to be based in Hampshire where there’s an incredible variety of fantastic local produce, delis and farm shops. Some of my favourites from the areas have got to be the makers of Lyburn Gold and Tunworth cheeses – Tunworth is a unique Camembert-style cheese that can rival the French but is made just five miles from us. The award-winning Triple FFF Brewery in Alton supplies us with fantastic traditional English bitters. We also buy our meat from the brilliant local family-owned butchers Owton’s. Newlyns Farm Shop outside Odiham and Wellington Farm Shop are fantastic for interesting and finds made by small suppliers, and both of their cafés are excellent.

Quality and variety are the main reasons shoppers should choose to visit independent retailers. As a business owner myself, building relationships with local retailers is so valuable for mutual recommendations. We’re really lucky as there’s a very supportive foodie community here in Hampshire. Our diners care where their food comes from and the story behind the produce, so the closest you can get to the manufacturer is always a great USP.

We use local honey from a beekeeper, Ian Lilly, in our salad vinaigrette and the honeycomb in a rice pudding currently on the menu. Triple FFF Brewery’s bitter is really delicious in our more traditional dishes like beer battered fish and chips or steak and ale pie. Our Hampshire cheeseboard includes the likes of Tunworth, Lyburn Gold, Isle of Wight Blue and Stoney Cross.

My latest exciting speciality food or drink discovery has got to be Twisted Nose Gin, a premium craft gin which is distilled in Winchester and made with 10 local botanicals, including watercress that’s sourced from the surrounding landscape. It’s super fragrant and utterly delicious. Most recently we discovered Moonroast Coffee, which is produced in the Candover Valley and is full of flavour. It’s certainly a good time for quality food and drink!