The Beekeeper
Chiltern Bee is just me (John) and my bees. I do get a little help from my Daughter, Freya.
I nearly didn't start beekeeping as a neighbour didn't want bees nearby (allergy) so I put a card in the village shop in Hambleden (near Marlow) to see if any local landowner would to host a hive. I had a couple of responses and started with two colonies.
I then had people approach me asking to site hives and I now have around 30 hives around the South Chilterns, mainly around the Hambleden/Frieth.
It is very much traditional, low intensity bee keeping. Small numbers of hives in village/hamlett locations, many of the hives I’ve made myself, so if you think “Cottage Industry” you’ll not be far from the mark.
Unlike many “commercial” bee set-ups I only keep bees that I have raised myself, open mated in the Chilterns, so supporting our native bee population.
There are several "races" of bees (sub-species). Apis melifera melifera is our native Northern European species but many beekeepers import foreign species (which isn't great for our native bee and is also a problem in regard to disease spreading). ALL my bees have been raised in the Chiltern Hills and bred by myself, open mated locally, ensuring that our local population of Honey Bee is supported.
Bishop's Roast Coffee
Bishop's Roast Coffee is a premium coffee supply company based in Hazlemere Bucks. Our company focuses on providing high-quality coffee beans to coffee shops, restaurants, and households throughout the United Kingdom. We take pride in sourcing only the finest coffee beans from around the world, ensuring that each batch is freshly roasted to perfection. With our coffee, you can experience the rich and bold flavours that only the finest coffee beans can offer. We believe that coffee is more than just a beverage, it is an experience that should be savoured and enjoyed. At Bishop's Roast Coffee, we are committed to providing our customers with exceptional coffee and service that will exceed expectations.
In early 2022 we decided to look in to producing our own range of coffee. Many many months of research, phone calls, site visits with roasters, emails, meetings etc then one day we found a roaster who understood what we wanted to achieve.
We spent time and effort coming up with our own range of blends which we know you will enjoy. Plus we have a small selection of single origin coffee all roasted to perfection. Our Mission is to supply you with the best beans for that perfect cup of coffee!
Our aim is to supply home coffee lovers, cafes, pubs, restaurants, hotels, clubs, offices, salons etc with our range of coffee. If you're a business not tied in to any contracts please contact us.
If you are serving coffee or selling coffee in your shop we can partner up and we can promote your business via our social media channels. Contact us for details.
Bossie's Biltong -
Beer's Best Buddy®
Our Biltong Journey
Introducing Bossie's Biltong - Beer's Best Buddy®. A premium quality biltong made by the Bossie's family themselves. Our journey began with the disappointment of only being able to find dry boot leather biltong. That was until a friend gifted us our first biltong box in 2009. This experience inspired us to create a range of high quality, artisan biltong. Using only the finest cuts of beef, each piece is handcrafted and seasoned with a unique blend of herbs and spices for an authentic South African taste. Our biltong is air-dried to perfection, resulting in a tender, succulent texture that's packed with flavor. Whether you're a biltong connoisseur or just looking to try something new, Bossie's Biltong is sure to impress.
Neville, an enthusiastic blockman, managed to source his first beef silverside muscle from Smithfields Meat Market in the early hours of one weekday morning back in 2009. Through a lot of trial and error he finally developed a recipe that he was happy with and so began the journey into creating his now famous golden packets of deliciousness. Based in Farnham Royal, Buckinghamshire, Bossie and Mrs Bossie produce high quality, fresh beef biltong on a weekly basis, using the best quality meat sourced from a family run farm based in Yorkshire.
We take pride in using only 100% English bred and raised beef, which means our product is not only delicious but also ethically sourced. Our secret recipe and technique produce the traditional South African taste and texture that biltong lovers crave. With every bite, you'll experience a rich, savoury flavour that will leave your taste buds dancing. Trust us when we say, once you try our biltong, you won't be able to resist it!
Burgers Chocolatier
The family business began in 1942, when Eric & Marie Burger moved to Marlow to open a 'Continental Confectioners'. Originating from the French speaking region of Neuchâtel in Switzerland, the Burger family name is pronounced "Bur-jer" with a soft ‘g’.
Eric & Marie’s two younger sons, Philippe and Bernard, both trained in the business, and continued the tradition of creating beautiful bread, patisserie and chocolates on the premises. Bernard continues to manage the business today, along with his daughter, Rachel.
Eric Burger began making chocolates here in the 1940’s, and his son Philippe carried on the tradition, having also trained in Switzerland. This chocolate heritage continues today, with wonderful pralines, dark chocolate caramels, delicate rose & violet cremes and rich ganache truffles. Each delicious chocolate is still handcrafted using traditional recipes and techniques.
Chiltern Cold Pressed Oils
From our soil to your oil
Simon and Chris are fifth generation farmers from the Mead family who have been farming in the Chilterns since 1860. The Mead's 150 year experience in sustainable agriculture means that only the highest quality rapeseed is used in producing Chiltern Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil.
With plenty going on, Simon and Chris employ family and local people to help bottle the oil. Both Simon and Chris are extremely proud that they can produce great tasting products from their family farm.
Harrow and Hope
I come from a wine obsessed family that has been in the business for over 50 years. Since I can remember I’ve been taken around vineyards and wineries in all parts of the world. It’s no surprise then that my obsession with creating wine started with the monumental release of my first (pineapple!) wine at the age of 13. By 17 I had completed my first proper harvest as a ‘cellar rat’ in the beautiful Ardeche region of France. That place really ignited my passion for wine production, wine people and the whole culture that surrounds this magical agricultural product. After another harvest at Tatachilla winery in McLaren Vale, South Australia I knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
I met my wife Kaye at Durham University, where we studied biology together… well she studied it, and I stole her notes! She also tolerated me disappearing for months on end to Australia and France to build up my winemaking experience. We married in 2008 and headed off to rural France to set up our first vineyard project at Chateau Verniotte in Castillon, Bordeaux. Although we still love the place, we wanted to start a family in England. And just at that time it had become clear, thanks to the work of others, that the chalk hills of England were capable of producing Sparkling Wines that were more than just good; that were world-class.
We decided to begin a sparkling wine project. We searched for and eventually got lucky and found our perfect site on the rolling hills behind Marlow. Vines planted, three kids born, winery built and 10 years later we’re very proud of the recognition the wines are receiving and the customers both in the UK and abroad that have supported us from the very beginning.
Our philosophy in the vineyard is simple, to help the vines in every way we can to best express the character of our site in our wines. It sounds quite simple, but it’s one of the hardest things to achieve in wine. The French have a word for it, “terroir”, it has no direct English translation but it simply means all the natural elements that contribute to a wine’s taste, including soil structure, soil biology, rocks, micro-climate, aspect and ultimately us! We’ve always felt, through our work and the learnings of others, that the best way to achieve this is by working organically. We have a focus in building the natural biome both above and below ground by not using synthetic pesticides, herbicides, employing cover crops, home made compost and working WITH instead of against nature. This all sounds lovely in principle, but it’s no mean feat in our climate, and can only be achieved with attention to every detail of our vineyard work.
Haynes Gournet
My name is Charity, and I founded Haynes Gourmet back in 2017 with my Husband, Robert, and my Dad, also called Robert (but you can call him Bob). We started small, cooking tiny batches of Candied Jalapenos in our country cottage kitchen and selling them at local food festivals and farmers markets. Since then, we’ve steadily grown but we’ve not veered far from that original vision. Our Candied Jalapenos are still lovingly hand filled into every jar, using real, all natural ingredients.
Holy Cow Teas
Savour an Adventure in Tea
Tea Sommelier, Poonam Gupta, launched Holy Cow Tea in 2020. She has an avid interest in the origins and processes used in tea production, along with the associated history and culture. As a result, she can share an engaging story about any of her premium blends. This takes you beyond tantalising your tastebuds and opens up a journey of discovery. With a focus on sustainability, Poonam ensures Holy Cow Tea is ethically sourced from established plantations and cooperatives.
Poonam offers tea tastings at local artisan markets and food festivals, along with tea experiences for small groups at her home.
Johnny Hot Stuff
I decided to launch Johnny HoT Stuff as a result of friends and family constantly telling me that I “really should sell this stuff” when I used to hand out samples of my homemade hot sauces, marinades, powders etc and as somebody who loves to shop local and try artisan products I thought I’d give it a shot.
I launched a couple of hot sauces at the 2019 Eat Food Festival in Henley and the feedback was incredible. I am now looking forward to launching more exciting and interesting chilli based creations from my kitchen in Henley-On-Thames.
My passion for spicy foods is undoubtedly a result of my upbringing. My mother is Belizean and I spent much of my childhood with my grandparents from her side (a Belizean grandmother and Jamaican grandfather). I was raised on a fusion of foods with English, Mexican and Caribbean influences and chillies and hot sauce were never far away. I used to enjoy helping my grandmother in the garden where all kinds of fruits and vegetables were grown and chillies were a staple in the greenhouse.
As I grew so did my passion/obsession with chillies, and in 2018 when the Johnny HoT Stuff brand was launched I had grown 17 different varieties and 44 plants in my poly-tunnels and greenhouse. Varieties from the mildest, Anaheim at around 1,000 Scoville heat units to the Carolina Reaper, which can reach a crazy 2.4 million SHU!
Luxters Winery
We are a business passionately committed to providing you with products which are uniquely hand crafted to the highest standards, linked with a service which is friendly and informed. This website is intended to maintain that personal service and if you wish, at any stage of your browsing, to call us for help, you are most welcome to do so.
Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, Old Luxters is home to 'Chiltern Valley Wines', its Vineyard, Winery, Old Luxters Brewery, Liqueur making facilities and cellar shop. Our first vines were planted in 1982 on the slopes of the Chiltern Hills, surrounded by beech woodland and overlooking the beautiful Hambleden Valley near Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, UK.
Our modern production, bottling and labelling facilities, cellar shop and wine vats are all housed in traditional farm buildings.
Since our first harvest in 1984, we have produced an increasing range of fine, award-winning English wines to delight the eye and excite the palate. With scores of awards and commendations in blind-tasted national and international competitions, our wines have gained an enviable reputation for quality both here and abroad.
As a truly independent brewery, we are proud to have revived the tradition of farm-brewed, full mash, Real Ales using wooden-clad mash tun, copper, liquor and fermentation vessels. We combine tradition with the very latest technology in sterility and temperature control.
The Master Brewer at Old Luxters blends only the finest English malted barley (pale, crystal and chocolate malts) to gain the flavour, fullness and depth of colour in our Ales, seasoning with choice English hops for aroma and bitterness.
The Marlow Cheese Company
Hi there, my name is Lynda Hill and I live in the beautiful riverside town of Marlow in South Buckinghamshire. For years I have secretly harboured the thought of becoming a cheesemaker (probably from watching 'Countryfile') I not only love to eat the wonderful stuff but I am truly amazed how you can take this liquid called milk and transform it into something you can use and enjoy in so many different ways.
As I am passionate about keeping things local and the provenance of high-quality produce, I approached my (very) local dairy farm, owned by the Lacey's family in Lane End, Buckinghamshire their 100% pure Guernsey herd still produce milk like 'the old days' where the cream is on the top! This milk contains three times as much omega 3 as other milks and contains beta-carotene which is a source of vitamin A, as this is not digested by the cows it passes straight to the milk which creates its lovely golden colour and is an A2 milk.
Marlow Gin
After a few drinks during an evening out in Marlow, we deliberated about the choice of gin at the bar. We noticed that something was missing, a great tasting local gin.
That night the deal was done and we agreed to invest our spare time in developing our very own gin with all the flavours we love. A plan was hatched, The Marlow Distillery was formed and Marlow Gin was born.
We've spent 12 months building our small distillery and developing our own recipe right in the heart of Marlow. We are proud to introduce our quality, small batch, hand crafted gin dedicated to our lovely town.
We hope you like it !
We produce every bottle by hand from Matilda, our copper still in our little part time distillery in Marlow. We source our Juniper carefully to give our spirit a fantastic taste, with strong notes of pine. We add tones of citrus from the best quality lemongrass and fresh lime with liquorice to give a more viscous texture. Angelica provides a long lasting flavour; while hops grown in the UK add a spicy, honey and earthy aroma that also lets us celebrate and recognise the brewing history and heritage, past and present of our riverside town.
Rebellion Brewery
Rebellion Brewery has been passionately brewing award winning beers since 1991 Using traditional methods, the finest ingredients and embracing new technology, The town's position in the chalky Chiltern Hills means that the local water used for brewing is high in the minerals and salts essential for producing the high quality and distinctive traditional beer we have become known for.Our range of beers are proudly showcased from our busy brewery shop, on-site drive-through or online store, with excellent quality, customer service and value for money always our priority.Our Tap Yard serves our full range of draught beers in a welcoming and inviting space. With our custom built bar, made from a shipping container we pour brewery-fresh beers along side wine, cider and spirits. Customers can also try our beers from the many pubs and other hospitality locations within 30 miles of the brewery or via our free home delivery service. Rebellion's launch in 1993 re-established Marlow's long brewing history, dating back over 260 years to 1758 when the Wethereds Brewery operated in the centre of Marlow until it closed in 1988.
Since their first brew in 1991, the Rebellion Brewery has been producing high quality, award-winning, draught and bottled beer from Marlow in Buckinghamshire. Using traditional methods and modern technology the team of brewers have created an exciting and characterful range of traditional ales, lager and other beer styles. These are enjoyed by customers in pubs and hospitality venues or from the brewery shop, drive-through and online store.
The story of the Rebellion Brewery starts with two friends, Tim Coombes and Mark Gloyens. Attending school together in Marlow at a time when the old Wethered Brewery was in full production, the sweet aromas of malt were a constant reminder that Marlow was an active brewing town. Years later, Tim and Mark discussed the possibility of a joint business venture, and with the closure of the Wethered Brewery in 1987, the idea of starting a new brewery and reviving Marlow's brewing tradition was born. After a couple of years researching, planning, and several admirable attempts to reinstate a brewery on the original Wethered site, the Rebellion Brewery was eventually established on the Rose Industrial Estate in Marlow Bottom in April 1993. In 1999 the brewery moved to its current location on Bencombe Farm, occupying the old grainstore and other redundant farm buildings.
Windy Mills Pickles
In the 19th Century Great Grandma Louisa began pickling. Louisa created sweet pickles – the recipe has been passed down the generations to be Windy Mills. Windy's mission is to provide the great british public with a crisp tasty pickled onion. Each onion is peeled by hand and pickled to my Great Great Grandmother Louise's pickling recipe – loved in our family over the past 150 years. These are the finest pickles – hand made with fresh ingredients and the product of many years experience. These are homemade and taste "just like your grandmother made".
Wycombe Chefs Table
Founded in October 2020, Wycombe Chef’s Table is a purveyor of single spices & spice blends, as well as other fantastic pantry products. Our products range from essential single spices to rubs & world renowned spice blends. All our spice blends are handcrafted in small batches in Buckinghamshire.
Why Spices
Spices were used for centuries and were considered as a symbol of wealth and prosperity, contribute rich flavour to food without adding any calories, fat, sugar or salt. Also, research is showing that spices contribute to health just as much as fruits and vegetables, providing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.
Present & Future
Here, at Wycombe Chef’s Table, we play with spices to create that perfect and exciting blend. The blend which will elevate any dish to the next level!
Our mission is to inspire at-home cooks to explore new flavour, new products and we are committed to sustaining and strengthening the company’s core values of delivering excellent quality, freshness, and variety.
We want to share our passion and knowledge through our product, encourage people to explore new and well-known flavours, and share them with others through family and community gatherings. Subsequently, they would support local businesses and growers. We would love to see our community grow and prosper, to be a network of small independent businesses supporting each other and giving back to the community. We want to be part of a cohesive society where it's not only about personal gain but unity, inspiration, communication and support.