Lunch with Kit & Kee

A perk of the job? Getting invited by Kit & Kee for lunch at their kitchen in South Devon, set within Great Trill Farm. As soon as I arrived, I knew this place was special. Even on a grey day, the energy and sense of community was clear. Great Trill Farm, a collection of beautifully converted traditional barns, is home to a range of local businesses, all supporting one another. It's the kind of collaborative, vibrant atmosphere that I’d love to create back at Cothelstone.

Hugo and Chris, the dynamic duo behind Kit & Kee, made me feel instantly at home. Their kitchen was a celebration of everything I love —local, seasonal, organic produce sourced from nearby farmers and growers. They served up a feast, complete with their own home-grown apple juice. As an organic farmer, I felt an immediate connection to their ethos, but their level of passion for supporting the local food ecosystem exceeded all my expectations.

Before lunch, Chris and I had a great chat about the rhythms of the farming year. He mentioned that while late summer bursts with vibrant fresh produce, it's the hungry gap between April and June he really relishes. It's then that all the hard work of pickling, curing, and fermenting comes to life. You have to dig deeper, get creative, and showcase exceptional food with what's been preserved.

I left feeling inspired, with a renewed appreciation for the incredible people who transform exceptional produce from farmers and growers into beautiful food. This summer, they’ll be catering their first wedding at Cothelstone, which I hope is the first of many. Their passion for great food and their commitment to local sourcing align perfectly with our vision, and I’m excited to see where this collaboration takes us.

Website: https://www.kitandkee.co.uk/

Instagram: @kitandkeeevents