Maker Spotlight: Annabelle J's Kitchen

Annabelle has been cooking since childhood, turning her passion into a business where she gets to create dream menus for her clients.

We caught up with Annabelle to learn more about her culinary journey and why she loves using local ingredients. 

How did you start cooking and how did that become a career choice for you?

Originally it was at home from a young age, and you kind of get a buzz from that. And then, as I grew up, I started to get serious about it. My career started in cafes and farm shops, which included creating homemade bakes for sale. I helped start up a successful cafe in a garden nursery from scratch, which was a fantastic step and gave me loads of experience.

Following that, I worked as a private chef for about 20 years – firstly with Lord & Lady Brabourne at Broadlands moving onto Laverstoke Park and then Cranbury Park. All were amazing experiences including cooking for Queen Elizabeth II, celebrity chefs and Formula 1 personalities.

Finally, the time felt right to start up and run my own catering business and it’s been a wonderful step! I get to be really creative with the food I serve using the finest ingredients and the freshest produce.

You use local ingredients from as close as possible – does that make a difference to what you’re making?

It really elevates what I can do with the food I produce. It also makes a great talking point - people are really interested, and many comment that they can taste the difference in local produce. Local produce is fresher, it tastes better, and it means I can make bespoke menus based around the season. 

I’m a small event caterer – I don’t do huge 200-cover plus events. What I do is a bit more personal, so I’ve got the space to be more creative and give my customers a more local experience. 

How does that make a difference to your menus?

I can incorporate a lot more of someone’s favourites into what I’m making, which is always fun! I always chat to my customers, see what they like and what they don’t, and I find they’re genuinely interested in more local produce – they might say “I love Lyburn Cheese,” or “we want New Forest strawberries” and I’ve got the freedom to go and do that. 

What kind of events do you cater for?

Anniversaries, birthday parties, canapé parties, celebrations of life or when someone just wants an excuse for a party! Dinner parties are popular and I’ve certainly done a few over the years. I also love doing afternoon teas using my bone china tea set. I can incorporate lots of different elements into the menu – it makes for a great get-together! 

What’s your favourite dish to cook?

Probably my favourite dish to cook is flat-iron steak, chargrilled with crispy-crushed new potatoes and fennel seeds with salsa verde and confit cherry tomatoes. I also love vegetarian cooking using all the lovely summer vegetables – Greek Briam is a favourite. They’re all simple dishes, but they’re delicious. 

Is there a particular cuisine you enjoy cooking?

I love cooking Mediterranean style food with a twist. Often, I will send my customers menus that include lots of variety in that respect. I adore coming back to Middle Eastern style dishes, too. Vegetarian food is a favourite as well using seasonal vegetables, vibrant colours and aromatic spices – you get to produce really creative and interesting food.
 
We eat with our eyes first, so you want a spread that isn’t just full of beige! 

What does it mean to be part of the Wiltshire Marque?

I think it’s great – and it’s a fantastic talking point. So many of my customers have asked about it since seeing it on my website. For me, it’s important to keep my business as local as possible – in the ingredients I use and in the events I cater for. And if everyone could tap into that a bit more, reducing food miles and connecting with the people that make their food, then it’d be better for the whole community. 

Find out more about Annabelle and view sample menus at www.annabellejkitchen.com

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