The Edible Flower

I don’t know how I’ve managed this long without experiencing the wonder that is The Edible Flower but I recently had the pleasure and all I can say is WOW! Well that’s not all, or this would be a very short blog post. These guys know food and they know it well.  Their flavour combo’s are a knock out and their passion for food is inspirational. They are sensational hosts to boot!

Jo working her magic on some flatbread dough

Jo working her magic on some flatbread dough

The evening was warm and balmy, the sun was low and golden and the air was filled with the scent of buttery, garlic flatbreads cooking in the wood fired pizza oven.  Amongst the rolling fields and hills of County Down, people gathered for a Midsummer’s Feast to share food, wine and laughter with new friends.  


Erin delights guests with flatbreads and honeysuckle punch on arrival

Erin delights guests with flatbreads and honeysuckle punch on arrival

Honeysuckle punch

Honeysuckle punch

On arrival we sipped honeysuckle punch and enjoyed flatbreads topped with summery yellow courgettes and wild earthy mushrooms all while lingering through the kitchen gardens of Erin and Jo’s beautiful country cottage.  Starters were then served in what was once a cow shed with the trough for the cows still present along the sides of the barn! There were no cows but plenty of feeding going on as we chowed down on our Vietnamese noodle salad and home brewed ale which was a delightful accompaniment.  The flavours were light and fresh but with plenty of depth given in the Nuoc Cham dressing. As a foodie crossed with being a food photographer I was torn between just wanting to devour my meal or shoot it to within an inch of its life. I did both, and enjoyed every minute!

Midsummer Feast menu

Midsummer Feast menu

Vietnamese noodle salad

Vietnamese noodle salad

The rest of the courses followed suit, amazing flavours meticulously paired and with plenty of seconds if you had room.  The pork was raised by Erin and Jo who added that if they were going to continue to enjoy eating meat they felt they should be comfortable with rearing their own animals for slaughter.  My friend nearly fell into her plate crying when she heard this, realising that what we were about to eat had been somewhat of a pet in it’s previous life. It’s a sensitive subject but one that should be considered as a meat eater.  I didn’t dwell on it at that particular moment however and enjoyed the glorious food before me. 

Porchetta with garlic and fennel

Porchetta with garlic and fennel

Aubergine bake

Aubergine bake

The evening drew to a close around the fire pit, swilling chai tea and cramming buttery crumbly shortbread into the last little pockets of space left in my stomach.  The embers sparked and flitted as everyone basked in the heat from the fire and the warmth we felt from having enjoyed such a wonderful evening of beautiful food and great company. Bliss!  

Chai tea around the fire pit

Chai tea around the fire pit

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Echlinville Distillery Tour

My most recent food and drink adventure was Echlinville distillery, nestled just off the shores of Strangford lough.  Only forty five minutes from Belfast, you too could be swillin’ a wee dram between your fingers and thumb!  Fortified with the knowledge as to how it got in your glass by taking the Echlinville distillery tour .  You will learn how Dunville’s Whiskey and Jawbox Gin are made and also their Ban Poitín, all available to sample at the bar after the tour.  I cried off from any Poitín tasting but maybe next time!  

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The drive to the distillery itself is beautiful.  You will pass Mount Stewart and go through beautiful quaint Greyabbey then continue along the shoreline and to Kircubbin where you will find the Echlinville estate and still house.  Go to https://echlinville.com/story/ to read all about their story and the history of the estate.


The staff at Echlinville are amazing, super friendly and leave you feeling like you just visited an old friend for a few drinks and a catchup.  The tour was light, funny and informative with just enough detail about the process of making whisky without giving away all their secrets.  For that they’d have to kill you, most likely with the WWII tank they have parked up outside (not kidding).  

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We were shown the old courtyard with which they have big plans for in the future, the still house where all the magic happens and the maturation warehouse where the casks are kept. It’s here the whiskey matures and develops it’s depth and charatcer drawn from the distinctive properties of the barrel it’s stored in.  All the terms you hear like ‘barrel aged’ and ‘single malt’ will start to make sense plus you’ll learn a whole host more!  

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After the tour we kicked back and enjoyed our drinks vouchers with which you get to try two drinks from the selection on offer.  I sampled the Dunville’s Three Crowns Whiskey, Jawbox Rhubarb and Ginger gin and Echlinville Irish pot still gin.  You are made to feel so welcome it’s honestly hard to leave but I am a complete lightweight when it comes to booze so three was enough or I would have been staying the night!


Great tour, friendly staff and you leave wanting more.  I’ll return to Echlinville with friends and family on tow as this is a fabulous way to spend the afternoon for both visitors and locals alike.  


Cheers!