Whilst the cities of London, York and Oxford with their historical significance should not be missed on any itinerary to England, there is something to be said for the luscious countryside that encapsulates the remainder of the country. Once described as ‘a beauty much more than visual’, by author Dodie Smith, these pastoral fields and hills have drawn beloved fans of English romantic literature and history for decades. In a study of the countryside and local English produce, Conte invites its guests on a Food Journey of England to indulge in a ‘Farm-to-Table’ in the abundance of the English strawberry season.
Reigniting Undiscovered British Food Wonders: The Most Luxury of Afternoon Tea Experiences
The concept of eating locally has breadth, and it encompasses not only sustainability and wellness but also enjoyment in the process of cooking and creating. To name but one experience, Conte invites you to explore the divine history behind the English strawberry whilst on a luxury vacation to London. While it might feel as English as can be, this berry has a complicated nest of heritage with roots in our soil, Chile and America, which led to the cultivation of over 50 species of the English strawberry in our current day and age.
With a Conte food travel expert, a specialist guide and a horticulturist, dive into the southern county of Somerset for a day of picking your produce. With your harvest of English berries, return to your local boutique hotel of choice, where you will dive into the ancient art of conservation, known more colloquially as the making of jam. Afterwards, you will be able to enjoy the fruits of your labour in the setting of a British Afternoon ‘High Tea’, complete with miniature sandwiches, pastries, cakes - and of course, scones with jam and cream - the most memorable of luxury afternoon tea experiences.
Through the harvesting of local produce and awareness of its seasonality, we can learn much about the history of agriculture, the communities and the regional specialities of England. A Conte food journey of a destination allows our guests to appreciate the value of fresh food, their environment and harvest in ourselves a deeper understanding of the cultural climate and backgrounds of the towns and cities which make the cultural landscape of a country.