Fresh Direct

Hi Chefs,

As usual I hope you are all well.  After my all too brief television career last week (one show! Click here to see it!) its back to normal now,  I have not been snapped up by any network or series but it should be any day now!  I must say that although I complain sometimes about foraging due to insects and the weather I am really starting to miss my Sundays in the woods and fields,  I wish spring would hurry up.

We have seen no improvement in the mushroom situation this week,  the autumn chanterelle are still the only ones that offer any value for money and even they are a bit wet.  The mousseron are nice but a bit expensive,  the girolles are rubbish, and the pied de mouton are rubbish and expensive.  Enjoy!  The truffles still offer good value for money and the white truffle pieces have started selling very well.

The only addition to the seasonal produce section this week is the sweet turnip (aka boulette de bussy),  the skin is an off white and a bit mottled but once peeled the bright white flesh is far sweeter than normal turnip and is a great addition to any root veg mix.  The baby artichokes have went up a bit and the globe artichoke season has stuttered a bit this week but should return to normal next week.

The fruit section has finally managed to get a bit more interesting.  The golden kiwi are back in stock and make the normal kiwi look very average indeed.  We have had to stock them in different parts of the warehouse to stop the normal kiwis getting too depressed. This week we have added kaki fruit (large Sharon fruit) which are a nice alternative fruit to play with and baby apples and baby pears.  Neither are tiny but are a bit smaller than tennis balls and offer excellent value for money.

Take care,

Andy