Miles Collins

The early signs are good…

I am looking forward to the summer this year, not least for celebrating everything that is English fruit. England produces some of the finest fruit in the world, fact. Our apples, pears, strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries and blackberries in particular really are in a league of their own.

Here’s another fact, we’re too reserved to say it. It really is annoying, I admire our European, American and Australian counterparts for being so vocal about their produce but why aren’t the English? I’ve tasted imported fruit and it isn’t as good as ours, chefs from other countries say the same, this is something we do well and should be proud of.

I employ three pastry chefs, two are French, one is German. One, the Head Pastry Chef knows all about the quality of English fruit and is as much a fan as I am. I have told the other two all about the fruit that we grow and I look forward to showing them what I am taking about.

For the first time in five years my fruit bushes are housed within the safe confines of an enclosed fruit cage. Previously I have had to share my bounty with grateful blackbirds but not so this year! My fruit bushes were transplanted in late October/ early November and I must admit to some concern as to whether they would take kindly to the change of scenery.

Fear not! Bare branches on the trees and bushes are making way for new buds and bright green leaves, a welcome sight indeed…

The apple and plum trees are looking like they are going to give me a good crop despite their transplant, unlike the pear tree. I can count on one hand the number of pears I’ve eaten off that over the last five years. Wish I could remember where I bought it from-I’d be back there!

So keep your fingers crossed for a soft fruit glut this year, put it this way; no fruit glut-no free dessert recipes!