James is a forager, in his heart and in his soul

i have never met anyone quite like james burton.  i contacted him because we share a name 'vallum' and we share a passion 'food'!  james runs 'vallum cooking' - he will come to you house and cook you dinner, cater a shooting lodge, engineer your wedding, you name it james will chef for it.

his unique selling point (as i am constantly being told is the key to success of your business!) is that he is a forager.  he grows, hunts, climbs, picks .. forages.  he is so obsessed with seasonality and small batches that you cant speak to him for less than 5 minutes .. and that is when you are in a rush .. he is so passionate.  and the results reflect all the efforts he puts in. 

tonight i am having cheese on toast.  so that i can eat some of james 'hand made spicy apple chutney' with the tag line 'meant for colonels not children'.  it is SO good. my mum is raving about it.  'how does he get it so dark?  how does he get that amazing deep flavour'?'  we went to Hexham Farmers' Market a few weeks ago to pick some more up and to get some of his cordial.  earlier in the summer he had made rhubarb and ginger which was so fresh and fragrant and PINK, and this time i got hedgerow berry and blackcurrant.  just chalk and cheese to your shop bought ones.

james burton should be celebrated.  he is a hidden jewel of the northumberland countryside, inpsired by the seasonal bounty nature has to offer, pulling ingredients together in a way that makes them sing.

apparently he is doing a 'guerrilla kitchen' this autumn at birdoswald b&b, where they make the organic, unpasteurised birdoswald cheese (yes .. it is beautiful!).  must remember to phone and try and get a seat!