Description
Taste of the West Country: Award-Winning Chefs and Producers
A celebration of the chefs, makers and regional ingredients that shape the food culture of the West Country.
Quick answer: Taste of the West Country is an award-winning food book featuring celebrated chefs and producers from across the region. The Artisan Kitchen appears as a Gloucestershire producer, with Blaisdon Red Plum Jam and Prolific Plum Jam representing our local fruit-preserving heritage.
Discover the people, ingredients and traditions behind some of the West Country’s most distinctive food.
This award-winning book brings together renowned chefs and regional producers, pairing culinary expertise with the farmers, growers and makers who help shape each dish.
The Artisan Kitchen is proud to represent Gloucestershire through two of our plum preserves: Blaisdon Red Plum Jam and Prolific Plum Jam.
Chefs, Producers & the Flavours of the West Country
A regional food journey celebrating the people behind exceptional ingredients.
Why The Artisan Kitchen Features in the Book
Gloucestershire has a rich fruit-growing and preserving tradition, with heritage plums forming an important part of the county’s food story.
Our featured jams reflect that heritage. We cook them in small batches to preserve the natural colour, sharpness and character of the fruit.
Together, they represent The Artisan Kitchen’s chef-led approach to local produce and traditional preserving.
The Featured Preserves
Blaisdon Red Plum Jam
A deeply coloured plum preserve made with distinctive Gloucestershire fruit and a rich, balanced flavour.
Prolific Plum Jam
A bright, fruit-led plum jam with gentle sharpness, smooth texture and a clear expression of the fruit.
A Journey Through Regional Food
The book explores the relationship between chefs and producers, showing how regional ingredients move from field, orchard and kitchen into finished dishes.
Along the way, it celebrates the skill involved in growing, making and cooking food with a strong sense of place.
As a result, it offers more than a collection of recipes. It also gives readers a glimpse into the people and landscapes behind the food.
A celebration of regional flavour, traditional skills and exceptional ingredients.
Who Is This Book For?
- Food lovers interested in regional British cooking
- Readers who enjoy discovering chefs and independent producers
- Supporters of local and seasonal food
- Jam, marmalade and preserve enthusiasts
- Visitors and admirers of the West Country
- Anyone looking for a thoughtful food-inspired gift
A Thoughtful Gift for Food Lovers
The book makes a lovely present for anyone who enjoys good food, regional stories and beautifully made British produce.
For a more generous gift, pair it with one of the featured plum jams or create a selection from The Artisan Kitchen’s handmade preserve range.
Featured in the Book
Discover the story behind the original chef recipe created using The Artisan Kitchen Blaisdon Red Plum Jam™ for A Taste of the West Country.
Read The Artisan Kitchen Blaisdon Red Plum Jam™ soufflé story
The Award Story Behind the Recipe
The feature of The Artisan Kitchen Blaisdon Red Plum Jam™ in A Taste of the West Country followed its Taste of the West Champion Sweet Preserves win in 2017.
Sarah’s Note
It was a real pleasure to see our plum jams included alongside so many talented chefs and producers. The book captures the strong connection between the food we make and the fruit, growers and traditions of the region.
Book Highlights
- Features chefs and producers from across the West Country
- Celebrates regional ingredients and culinary traditions
- Includes The Artisan Kitchen as a Gloucestershire producer
- Features Blaisdon Red Plum Jam
- Features Prolific Plum Jam
Taste of the West Country FAQs
What is Taste of the West Country about?
It is a regional food book celebrating chefs, producers, ingredients and culinary traditions from across the West Country.
Why is The Artisan Kitchen included?
The Artisan Kitchen appears as a Gloucestershire preserve producer, representing the region through Blaisdon Red Plum Jam and Prolific Plum Jam.
Which Artisan Kitchen products feature in the book?
The book features Blaisdon Red Plum Jam and Prolific Plum Jam.
Does the book make a good gift?
Yes. It is a thoughtful gift for food lovers, supporters of regional produce and anyone interested in the people behind British food.
Explore More
- Browse our collection of handmade jams.
- Explore our range of food and preserve gifts.
- Discover more about chef and founder Sarah Churchill.
- Read about our awards and recognition.
A taste of the region, told through its chefs and producers
Discover the people, produce and traditions behind the food of the West Country.
Sophie Sugo –
An additional gift with some jams and marmalades. Great book, good value as hard to find now.