I was lucky enough to be surprised with one of these amazing dinners at the weekend as an early birthday present – I can’t recommend this highly enough as a foodie treat for gardening lovers. I’ve been a fan of the Secret Herb Garden since it opened last year, it’s a very special place with a lot to offer beyond simply being a lovely garden centre. I’ve been keeping an eye on events on their facebook page and am still swithering on signing up for their bee keeping course (I’ve been hospitalised by a wasp sting so may not be the brightest idea I’ve ever had) but their new full moon dinners take things to a whole new level.

Welcomed with some fizz, we had a little wander about, sampled some canapes – the nettle soup was outstanding (another thing to try and recreate at home) and soaked up the wonderful vibe that they have there. This was followed by a four course tasting menu with matching wines. The food was prepared by Alison Henderson, the Herb Garden’s own Chef and Robbie Gleave, formerly Executive Chef at Heritage Portfolio. The Menu: Secret Herb Garden Canapés served with natural sparkling wine, Terre Blanche Chardonnay Jambon Persille – a ham hock and root vegetable terrine with foraged herbs, garden chutney and Irish brioche served with the Herb Garden’s own, completely natural White Wine, 2014 Heather grazed black face lamb, slowly braised in SHG wine and herbs. Wild garlic scones, new season potatoes, cauliflower, tenderstem broccoli and rainbow chard. Accompanied with Clos Fantine, Faugeres, 2012 Blood Orange and home simmered marmalade tart with ‘Floral’ duchess grey and lemon verbena ice cream and puffed millet and bee pollen in salted candy. With Raymond Lafon Sauternes, 1997 Artisan handmade cheeses with homemade oatcakes and fruit and herb jelly. served with SHG own red, 2014. The setting was amazing, the food was fantastic, the wine was free flowing and mostly excellent (I wasn’t quite as keen on the HG’s own red but it did follow an amazing Clos Fantine), the company was fantastic and the full moon did indeed shine down on us. Hamish Martin from the SHG was a tremendous and enthusiastic host and quite frankly I would like to dine in a greenhouse with sparkly lights every day now. The next dates for these events are: Monday, 4 May 2015 Tuesday, 2 June 2015 Thursday, 2 July 2015 Friday, 31 July 2015 Saturday, 29 August 2015 Monday, 28 September 2015 Tuesday, 27 October 2015 You can find out more information here Or contact them directly : Hamish@secretherbgarden.co.uk / 0776 853 0044