Supporters of local nature reserve, Watchtree, were treated to a 'A History of Cumbrian Food' with local chef John Crouch on Saturday, September 30.

A regular presenter of historical food events, who appears fortnightly on BBC Radio Cumbria, John is well known for recreating notable recipes in historic manuscripts for audiences, tracking down special and elusive ingredients that are particular to the county. 

The journey took them via Cumbrian dishes served during the Stone Age, through to the Romans, Vikings, Middle Ages, Georgian and Victorian eras to present day.

Diners were treated to a delicious menu, including Westmorland soup, Cumberland pie, with braised red cabbage and Cumbrian apples, carrot flavoured with Penrith spice, and Cumbrian mustard mash. To finish, a damson syllabub with homemade damson jam and damson gin was served alongside famed Grasmere gingerbread.

John Crouch said: "I really enjoy doing this particular talk; there are so many stories to be told about Cumbria and its history as a predominantly farming and food-focused county - many recipes were developed as a result of what was produced in the local area, or what farmers's wives were serving up to their families.

"Many local place names have derived from the crops that grew there, smugglers' gains or animals that were bred here - it is always nice to enlighten people with the heritage of local dishes. Cumbrian ingredients are very special. "

Stephanie Norman, events team leader for Watchtree said "It was a delight to host John here at Watchtree - it was a really special evening and we hope this is the start of many. John is a fantastic storyteller and has so much knowledge of food history.

"We are always looking at ways we can utilise the facilities here at Watchtree in different ways, so to be able to hold a supper event here when the reserve's cafe is usually closed was an excellent way to diversify what we can offer to visitors and the community."

Watchtree will be holding a second, Christmas-themed supper evening with John Crouch on Wednesday, November 23, with tickets available online at www.watchtree.co.uk/events.