Local produce and ingredients for Cheltenham

If there is one thing all the better restaurants in Cheltenham have in common, it is their insistence on serving fresh locally sourced produce whenever possible. Particularly in this time of harsh economic conditions, this seems to have become "obligatory".

Anybody walking along Cheltenham High Street on their way to work will see the deliveries being made in the usual vans, with established merchants, familar if not conciously noted by all us.

There is a rich source of produce coming from Evesham and other local farms, much of it coming through Gloucester trading merchants. The daily round is well established for restaurants in Cheltenham. However, there always seems to be room for another van as somebody else tries to top off their delivery options.

image of asparagus locally grown in the Evesham district Whilst supermarkets are selling ever more exotic fruit and vegetables, we don't seem so willing to court South American produce when we go out to eat. I'd have to confess as a long term Cheltenham resident that I really would struggle to say exactly what was in season and what wasn't - though my wife somehow seems to know!

It is the local specialities that we all probably know about, things like asparagus and elvers. The last item here is a probably not the best example because after they are fished out of the River Severn they are hustled at speed to the kitchens of France where appreciation for them is such that I just can't seem to indulge my childhood passion for them now.

picture of a squirrel - a surprisingly good source of local meat to the Cheltenham area Whereas we can't ever claim to have local bison, sharks or tuna, we can claim to have ostrich and wild boar. We can also claim to have ample sources of a much maligned creature - the squirrel. The meat is tender and like nutty chicken. I can personally recommend it having asked farmers for their little cardavas when they've shot them as tree vandals.

If you have squirrel and asparagus, then you know it came from within spitting distance of your own kitchen. A much better alternative to road kill! (Yes, I too have been tempted). You will need to casserole your squirrel so the meat falls from the bones. Don't let the kids catch you if you're going to attempt this at home because you will never be forgiven.

If you have any ideas for local produce and ingredients for the restaurants in the Cheltenham area, then why not hop along to your local blog and tell everybody.

Quickly view and compare some of the best restaurants in Cheltenham

Restaurants Cheltenham

Local produce and ingredients for Cheltenham