Watercress is the Star of James Martin's TV Show
Rachel Peppiatt, owner of the West Lea Farm Shop just outside Alresford, appeared on James Martin’s Saturday Morning show after supplying the celebrity TV chef, who is also a Hampshire resident, with some of West Lea's hand cut, home grown watercress.
James Martin has always been a champion of small local businesses. He used the watercress to prepare a number of tasty yet simple dishes including a vibrant watercress and potato soup served with watercress soda bread and watercress butter.
Rachel, who took over the shop in October 2020 during lockdown, was thrilled to have been asked to appear on the show. "I have to say that I was pretty nervous about appearing on national television in front of such a large audience but it was a great opportunity to talk about the quality of Alresford's watercress and explain why watercress is such a brilliant ingredient.
"We chatted about all things watercress and my shop and I hope that this gives a real boost to everyone's watercress sales. We should all be celebrating one of Hampshire's finest products, which is sold in shops and restaurants around the UK. The timing was particularly good with the Alresford Watercress Festival this Sunday, 21st May.”
Rachel is delighted that following the shop being featured on national television more customers have visited to buy not only Rachel’s own West Lea watercress, but the range of local produce stocked in store.
The recipes are available on James Martin’s website: jamesmartinchef.co.uk
Find out more about the Watercress Festival HERE – the Hampershire Fare team will be at the Festival, handing out the latest Discover Local Produce guides and this year’s Hampshire Food Festival Programme – hot off the press!
