Preserving Over Fire Workshop

WE ARE TRYING TO CONFIRM A DATE FOR THIS WORKSHOP IN 2026. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN COMING PLEASE CONTACT US

Is there anything more satisfying than opening a jar of jam you made in the height of summer on a cold winter's day and being greeted by the smell of fresh fruit? Or placing a homemade chutney alongside the cheeseboard at Christmas and knowing you made it yourself?

We all buy jars of preserves from the supermarket, but have you ever wondered just how much you could make at home? If you've dreamt of filling your pantry with rows of beautiful jars but aren't quite sure where to begin, this workshop is for you.

Together we'll explore a wide range of traditional food preservation techniques, from simple jams and chutneys to the fascinating world of pressure canning. You'll learn how ingredients like salt, sugar and vinegar work to preserve food naturally, and gain the confidence to create delicious preserves safely in your own kitchen.

We'll get hands-on sterilising jars and bottles before heading to our outdoor kitchen, where live fires will bubble away as we make seasonal jams, chutneys and pickles together. We'll also introduce American-style pressure canning, allowing you to safely preserve everything from soups and beans to fish and meat, as well as touching on smoking, drying and fermentation as other time-honoured methods of preserving food.

Using as much seasonal produce as possible, we'll spend the day bottling the flavours of the season for you to enjoy long after they've disappeared from the garden.

At the end of the day you'll head home with a selection of the preserves we've made together, a comprehensive handout packed with recipes, ideas and techniques, and the confidence to begin filling your own shelves with homemade goodness.

We'll share a simple seasonal lunch together during the day. Please let us know of any allergies or dietary requirements at least two weeks before the workshop.

And if we've done things properly, you'll find yourself looking at every surplus apple, blackberry hedge and glut of tomatoes as another excuse to reach for a preserving pan.