|
Bookham Fine Foods is a family run business based in the heart of Sussex. What sets us apart from the rest is our big picture mentality and pioneering spirit. Not only are we committed to producing top quality cheese, butter and pasta (the four golds we won in the 2007 Great Taste Awards are testament to this), we are devoted to the much broader concept of forging links between primary and secondary producers. This reaches far beyond the simple concept of local sourcing and is as much about endeavouring to preserve our rural heritage for generations to come.
In 2007, we started making SUSSEX CHARMER, a new cheese with R.Harrisons & Sons from Rudgwick, a family at the forefront of dairy farming in Sussex since 1928. The project was set up in an effort to safeguard the art of local cheesemaking, as well as the region’s dairy farming tradition. It is a sobering fact that over the last five years, this country has been losing its dairy farmers at the rate of three a day. The Bookham Harrison partnership is determined that the sight of cows in a field be preserved for all our grandchildren to enjoy.
Our other noteworthy project is the growing on home soil of durum wheat for the fresh pasta we make. To this end, we have been working closely with Flanchford Farm in Surrey, who have grown especially for us sixty acres of durum wheat. This we hope to have milled traditionally on the Isle of Wight, thereby strengthening the future of each of the businesses involved, while at the same time reducing our dependence as pasta makers on precarious foreign imports.
In a nutshell then, Bookham Fine Foods is fiercely proud of its role in the wider fight to secure a local, sustainable network of primary and secondary producers, united by a common desire to preserve our individual traditions, as well as making us proud as a region of the food we eat.
A message from Rob Bookham.... My wife Claire and I are very proud to be at the head of an amazing team, without whom we simply could not offer the quality of product and service that we do.
We have Claire Ferris who runs the show and tries to keep tabs on me as my PA.
Michelle Blackwell is the latest member of the team, her role includes dealing with our ever increasing customer base and assisting Claire in the office.
Paul Toni makes our sauces and gnocchi with tender loving care. He too can be found at many markets and shows throughout the year.
Rosie and her daughter Amy help sort cheeses and wrap butter, as well as doing many markets for us. They too represent the face of the company and do so superbly.
Then we have our pasta making team, comprising of Saul and his wife Jolanta, Julija and my son Ben.
Our Mission Statement:
To give primary producers the route to market by producing quality products, at affordable prices, sourcing as many ingredients as possible locally and according to season. We also aim to provide the consumer with as much information about the traceability of our ingredients as we can, so that they can have total confidence in what they are eating. Our pasta range also aims to meet the needs of time-poor consumers who want meals that are quick and simple to prepare. Indeed, our fresh pasta is the ultimate in quality fast food! We aim to create convenience foods that offer authenticity, are a bit more adventurous and have an international appeal.
We are keen to offer our customers the best service and value for money and to this end we welcome any comments that will help us achieve this goal.
Please [click here] to send us an email.
|
|
