Love Your Local Larder Podcast

In this episode, Suzie meets Ruaridh Hesketh of Galloway Lodge.  A family enterprise bringing marmalades, chutneys and jams to the people of Scotland since 1971.  Or thereabouts! Ruaridh speaks passionately about the company he took over after his father died.  Galloway Lodge are fiercely focused on making things from traditional recipes, avoiding many of the preservatives and sweeteners that their rivals require.  

In this episode, Suzie has a lovely chat with Karen Robinson, founder of the wonderful Three Robins brand.  They discuss Karen's journey from working in women's rights to owning a company that has developed family-friendly, lactose-free products.  We hear about the practical challenges of making oat milk in Scotland, the difficult act of balancing family and business, and the exciting development of networks across the UK that are working to offer healthier, more sustainable food choices for families.

In this episode, we meet Hugo Morrissey, the founder of the innovatively delicious Nuisance Drinks. This episode explores the story around Nuisance Drinks, whilst also offering an insightful dive into the world of ‘founders', as Suzie and Iain are excited to announce this as the first addition to their newest project: the Natural Larder Collective.  The serendipitous timing of both founder's desires to make changes to their original business model and shared ethical values make Nuisance Drinks the perfect fit for the Collective.

In this episode, Suzie explores the journey of Edinburgh's Chocolate Tree with founders Alastair and Freddy. Starting from humble beginnings at a music festival, they transformed their passion for chocolate into a sustainable business. They discuss their move to organic farming practices, their commitment to reducing their carbon footprint, and the importance of fair trade with cacao farmers. Suzie learns about the cultural significance of chocolate, its health benefits, and savours a unique Aztec hot chocolate blend. Their story exemplifies how a small business can lead the way in promoting regenerative agriculture and ethical consumption while producing delicious, high-quality chocolate products.

 In this episode, Suzie chats with Charlotte Blackler from Herb Majesty, a family-run farm in Perthshire. They discuss Charlotte's journey from a frustrated pharmacist to a herbologist and sustainable farmer. The conversation covers the use of plants as natural pharmaceuticals, sustainable livestock farming without antibiotics, and the role of bees in treating PTSD and respiratory ailments. Charlotte shares how Herb Majesty's meat subscription box thrived during the pandemic, offering high-quality, hormone-free meat. They also explore innovative collaborations with local businesses for mutual benefits in reducing waste and Herb Majesty's range of products designed for women experiencing menopause. Tune in to learn about the ethical and sustainable practices that define Herb Majesty's approach to modern farming. 

In this episode, Fiona Grant from Glen Lyon Coffee Roasters, a socially responsible B Corp, shares the captivating journey of establishing the roastery in 2011 with her husband, ignited by their adventures in Latin America. With an unwavering commitment to quality and sustainability, they've forged unique direct partnerships, notably with a Brazilian coffee farming family. Dive into Glen Lyon's meticulous roasting process, illuminating sensory experiences and ethical sourcing practices. Join Suzie on a tasting journey through their signature blends, immersing in the art of coffee making and the company's dedication to excellence and environmental stewardship. This episode offers a tantalising glimpse into Glen Lyon's ethos, inviting listeners to indulge in their exceptional coffee.

Join Suzie as she explores Jump/Ship Brewing, Scotland's sole non-alcoholic brewery. Founder Sonja Mitchell shares her journey crafting flavourful beers, driven by her frustration at the lack of options for those seeking a lifestyle free from hangovers. Discover the passion behind the brand, the art of brewing, and the delightful tasting experience. From Yardarm Lager to Jackstaff IPA and Stoker's Stout, each sip tells a story of dedication to flavour without compromise. Dive into the world of non-alcoholic beer and find your new favourite drink at Jump/Ship Brewing.

In this episode, Suzie explores the world of tea with Jon Cooper, founder of PekoeTea, an Edinburgh-based artisan tea company. Jon shares his journey from starting a tea bar to growing PekoeTea into a thriving business. They delve into the history of tea, its origins, and its global significance. Jon explains the various types of tea and the meticulous blending process PekoeTea follows. Suzie enjoys a tasting session of PekoeTea's unique blends, including the mouth-watering Black Forest Gateau Tea. They discuss the art of tea brewing and flavour pairing. Overall, PekoeTea stands out for its quality ingredients, ethical practices, and commitment to delivering a delightful tea-drinking experience.

In this podcast episode, Suzie engages in an interesting conversation with Fraser from Lind & Lime Gin, unveiling the brand's intricate history and commitment to sustainability. Lind & Lime embodies Leith's maritime heritage and finds inspiration in James Lind's lime, historically used to combat scurvy. Iain and Paddy, the founders, convey their dedication to honouring Leith's legacy through their plastic-free, green electricity-powered distillery, prioritising locally sourced organic ingredients. Fraser provides insight into Lind & Lime's meticulous botanical selection, crafting a classic London dry gin with seven carefully curated elements. Suzie's immersive tasting experience unveils the gin's nuanced flavours. The episode concludes with Suzie's exploration of the distillery, offering listeners an intriguing glimpse into Lind & Lime's behind-the-scenes operations. Join us as we savour the rich flavours of Lind & Lime Gin.

Indulge in this cheesy podcast with The Cheese Lady as Suzie engages in a flavourful conversation with Svetlana. Explore the world of artisanal and farmhouse cheeses, unveiling the secrets behind creating the perfect cheeseboard for every occasion. From the origins of cheese to the unique crafting of artisanal and farmhouse varieties, discover the stories behind each delectable piece. Join Svetlana and Suzie on a tasting journey, exploring a diverse selection of cheeses from around the world, paired with expert insights. Elevate your cheeseboard game with this delightful podcast, adding confidence and conversation to your culinary experiences!

 In this episode of Love Your Local Larder, Suzie meets Lindsay and Ben of Grow Wild Organics for an insightful organic food masterclass. With 25 years of pioneering organic produce in Scotland, Lindsay shares the journey from humble beginnings to the impressive Bonnytoun Farm, where 80% of their vegetables are cultivated. The discussion emphasises the importance of organic eating, addressing health concerns and the benefits of fuller flavours and higher nutrient content. Lindsay's commitment to sustainability is evident in the Grow Wild shop, providing ethical and organic produce. Farmer Ben introduces Regenerative Farming, focusing on giving back to the soil. The podcast concludes with Suzie's tasting experience of freshly picked organic produce, highlighting the fantastic results of regenerative farming for both the environment and food quality. The episode provides valuable insights into sustainable practices in the organic food industry. 

In this podcast episode, Suzie explores the fascinating world of fermented foods with Ruth Munro from Edinburgh Fermentarium. Ruth, an award-winning producer, shares her journey from a personal exploration of fermented foods to founding the Fermentarium. The discussion delves into the rise of fermentation in popular culture, the diverse range of fermented products, and their health benefits. Ruth imparts tips for making fermented products at home, emphasising flavour and appearance. The episode concludes with Suzie tasting six delicious products, showcasing the artistry and variety of Edinburgh Fermentarium's offerings.

In this Love Your Local Larder episode, delve into the world of Foraging Goat, a dedicated Artisan Larder store committed to reintroducing fresh, locally-sourced goods to their community. Join Cat and Tony, the visionary minds behind Foraging Goat, as they share their journey of championing local producers and crafting natural, seasonal products in small batches. Discover their zero-waste ethos and innovative selection of locally crafted goodies. From reviving historical market traditions in Haddington to creating a inviting space for everyone, Foraging Goat embodies honesty and creativity in their entirely natural, small-batch products. Experience the culinary haven where passion, sustainability, and local flavours converge at Foraging Goat.

In this episode of Love Your Local Larder, we immersed ourselves in the world of Highland Fine Cheeses, a family-operated business renowned for crafting exquisite 'smelly' cheeses. Rory Stone, our charismatic guide, led us through the intricacies of cheese production in Scotland, touching on history, challenges, and a delightful tasting session. The Stone family's enduring legacy and Rory's encyclopaedic cheese knowledge provided a rich backdrop. From crowdie's humble beginnings to its versatile uses, the podcast unfolded the artistry of Highland Fine Cheeses. Rory's revelation about cheese as potentially humanity's first manufactured food, dating back to 4000 BC, added a historical layer. The preservation methods, health benefits, and personalised cheese board tips rounded off this flavourful journey.

In our podcast episode, we delve into the remarkable journey of Coinneach MacLeod, known as the 'Hebridean Baker.' His passion for sharing the culinary delights, culture, and flavours of Scotland's Hebridean Islands shines through his social media and best-selling cookbooks. We explore his unexpected rise to fame and his deep love for Scottish cuisine and traditions. Coinneach's story is deeply rooted in preserving family recipes and cherished island traditions. His TikTok videos went viral, propelling him to international recognition, and his cookbooks reflect his dedication to making Scottish recipes accessible. His work not only promotes baking but also celebrates Gaelic language, foraging, savouring a dram of whisky, and embracing a simpler way of life, inviting you to experience the picturesque landscapes and vibrant communities of the Hebrides.

Explore the unique world of Birkentree, where founders Rob and Gabrielle have ingeniously crafted a natural whisky accompaniment from birch tree sap, all while revitalising Scotland's birchwood forests. Rob's forestry expertise and Gabrielle's herbalism background set the stage for their venture. United by a passion for nature and sustainability, they've seamlessly merged tradition and innovation.Their sustainable birch tapping process collects only 1% of daily sap intake, ensuring tree health and ecological balance. Rich in health benefits, birchwater enriches whisky's flavour without dilution, revealing intricate notes. As the world's sole birchwater whisky accompaniment, Birkentree offers a tantalising flavour profile and reduces the spirit's harshness, elevating the whisky experience.Birkentree embodies both environmental stewardship and a premium whisky accompaniment, reinvigorating tradition and innovation in perfect harmony. Tune in to discover more about Birkentree and their pioneering birchwater whisky accompaniment.

Discover Blackthorn Salt in this episode —a unique salt-making company on Scotland's West Coast, rooted in a rich salt industry heritage, that has successfully revived Scotland's salt-making tradition. We delve into their production process, spotlighting the iconic Blackthorn Tower's natural, eco-friendly salt-making method, powered by wind and sun. This approach yields environmentally conscious salt rich in essential minerals. A taste test showcases Blackthorn Salt's exceptional flavour-enhancing abilities, surpassing common salts. Their passion and commitment to quality and sustainable practices makes Blackthorn Salt an outstanding culinary craft. Explore their exceptional salt to savour unique flavours and elevate your culinary creations.

In this captivating episode of Love Your Local Larder, we journey to Kilduff Farm in scenic Scotland, guided by the passionate farmers Russell and Lucy. Their dedication to sustainable farming practices and nurturing a local food community shines through as they share their inspiring journey.The episode highlights Kilduff Farm's rich history, notably the renowned Pumpkin Festival, a champion of year-round pumpkin use, complete with mouth-watering recipes and valuable cooking tips to combat food waste. Russell and Lucy's commitment to sustainability is evident in their adoption of regenerative farming methods, creation of wildlife habitats, and the bountiful orchard producing delightful apple juices. Their collaboration with us at The Scottish Bee Company enhances biodiversity, complementing their field-to-food approach, which features locally grown products like bread flour and rapeseed oil. This fosters a strong sense of community mirroring their dedication to sustainability and celebrating the pleasures of local food.

In this episode, we embark on the remarkable journey of Mossgiel Farm, led by its visionary founder, Bryce Cunningham. Nestled in Mauchline, East Ayrshire, this family-owned farm transitioned to organic and sustainable practices in response to challenges it faced. Bryce's vision for sustainable dairy farming led to the creation of exceptional organic milk, setting them apart in the industry. This episode highlights Mossgiel Farm's commitment to environmental responsibility, including single-use plastic free initiatives and ambitious Net Zero goals for the future. Their collaborative efforts with local organic dairy farms to ensure fair pricing and greater community access to organic produce. Their prioritisation of animal welfare, notably, the ethical "cow with calf" dairying approach. In summary, Mossgiel Farm embodies the essence of sustainable farming, emphasising quality, ethics, and community collaboration - an inspiring example for the industry.

In this episode, we uncover the captivating story of Seabuckthorn Scotland. The podcast delves into founder, Kirstie Campbell's journey, from encountering seabuckthorn while working in Pakistan to founding a social enterprise in Edinburgh. The episode delves into seabuckthorn's rich history, nutritional prowess, and unique attributes. Packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and rare fatty acids, seabuckthorn emerges as a superfood which may have remarkable benefits for skin, immunity, and more. The podcast highlights Seabuckthorn Scotland's meticulous production process, emphasising sustainability by utilising every part of the plant. The sensory experience continues with tastings and discussions on the distinctive flavours of their raw, unpasteurised juices: Buckshot and Buck Russian.  This episode offers a tantalising glimpse into the world of seabuckthorn and the passion fuelling this sustainable enterprise.

In this tantalising episode, join us as we delve into the world of East Coast Cured, a remarkable artisanal meat curing company. Our host, Suzie Millar, takes you on a sensory adventure, exploring the intricacies of charcuterie and the craftsmanship behind East Coast Cured's exceptional products. We talk to co-founders, Steven and Susie Anderson, to discuss the meticulous process of meat curing, their inventive recipes, their passion for the art and commitment to quality.  Discover how the team at East Coast Cured is introducing the historic European practice of charcuterie to Scotland's bustling food scene as they set out to "put Scottish Charcuterie on the map". Don't miss this episode that will leave you salivating and craving for a taste of their phenomenal creations!