Loving the Local Oxfordshire & Cotswolds Markets and Produce

Alice salivates over Farmer's Markets in Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds

Being the kind of people we are, at The Wild Oven, we like to support excellent, locally produced quality food.  So, I thought it might be a great idea to chat about local suppliers and farmer’s markets in Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds.

Let’s face it..

…you can’t beat talking to the person who has lovingly produced the food you are about to sample.  The family that has reared the pig you are about to gorge on in your bacon buttie, or tended to the vegetables that adorn your dinner plate.  And what about the maturation of the cheese on display?  Especially knowing the secret of that Red Leicester from The Oxford Cheese Company in the Oxford Covered Market.  The one that tastes nothing like distant relative on the supermarket shelf.  And I mean, nothing like it.. all those stonking chewy, salty crystals!

So, let’s head to…

…Deddington Farmer’s Market where, in my humble opinion, there is the best pie maker in Oxfordshire.  He is Nathan, from the Pie and Mighty Pie company. (I know. I even know his name!) You have got to taste their ham hock, chicken, apricot and tarragon pie for it to be believed.  It is packed with flavour, exploding with texture, and enveloped in their legendary pastry!  Chatting with this baker is always a highlight of visiting Deddington farmer’s market, and he wears great shirts.

The same goes for The Cotswold Baking Company.  You can usually find their sumptuous cakes at Deddington Market and in local cafes.  These guys took the time to respond to a random (me) requesting help getting their pastry picture perfect.  Within 24 hours I received an enthusiastic and informative response.  This kind of care and attention to detail that a small company delivers is because they care about their client and have a passion for their product.

Returning to Farmer’s markets in Oxfordshire, we all know about Gloucester Green and Headington Markets, they are full of the buzz of a city location.  And the ones that pop up around the county: Charlbury, Banbury, Witney and Woodstock, for example, are a great excuse to get out to the countryside.  Why not make a day of it and head to a market to collect your yummies before heading off to a local pub for lunch.  Because, for some of these markets, you need to head out early to catch the metaphorical homegrown worm!