It used to be the case that chefs craved gadgets like a Hotmix Pro, dehydrators and Gaggenhau baking stones.

Now the real must have for the professional chef is a kitchen garden. Of course, Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons was decades ahead of the pack when he opened his restaurant in 1984. He stood out by paying as much attention to what was going on in his two acre vegetable and herb garden as he did to what was happening in his kitchen.

These days, his super posh take on an allotment is planted with over 90 varieties of vegetable and 70 types of herb which are used to supply the restaurant’s kitchen with the freshest produce.

Somewhat closer to home, plans are afoot to further revive the walled garden at The Archerfield Estate, just outside Dirleton in East Lothian.

The former Scottish Victorian kitchen garden has been lovingly converted into a café, brewery, deli and vegetable garden. It all goes under the name of The Walled Garden.

Exotic fruits

Currently undergoing further restoration, the original kitchen garden supplied Archerfield House with many varieties of fruit and vegetables.

From the 18th century into the early  20th, the original Walled Garden and Home  Farm grew all manner of exotic fruits and vegetables as well as 110 varieties of apple and  57 of pear.

There was also a mushroom house and ice house (both  still standing and under restoration) and a gas works. The well in the centre of The Walled Garden is centuries old but was only recently discovered when work began. It now supplies the water which irrigates the developing garden.

The long-gone hot houses, which included a peach house and melon frames are being replaced initially with polytunnels and eventually by new glasshouses. The raised beds are being repaired and replanted with a view to growing vegetables and fruit of all varieties.

The ultimate aim is for the café-restaurant and deli to become as self sufficient as possible in terms of using their own herbs and vegetables.

This is all good news for Head Chef, Richard Wire, who likes to use fresh, local ingredients in his spring menu and his monthly Supper Clubs which are held on the last Saturday of every month.

Hops in the Garden

As well as the café, The Walled Garden is home to a microbrewery masterminded by brewer-in-chief, Robert Knops.

Look out for Hops in the Garden – a music and ale festival to be held in the grounds of the Walled Garden at Archerfield on the 9th July. It is in support of Leuchie House.

There will be a full day of music from jazz, folk and swing to 1960s rock & roll, soul and Scottish music. Visitors will be able to enjoy Strictly Come Dancin’-style dance competitions, kids’ music and entertainment.

The line up includes a special guest appearance from Barbara Dickson, plus the Prov Johnstone Band; Esk Valley Swing Band; Fayne and the Cruisers; UP (Uncertainty Principle); Spatz & Co; the North Berwick Pipe Band; Caitlin Bruce and her harp; Ron Shaw and his cello; Leonheart, the NBHS Ukulele Orchestra, and for the younger audience, Mr Boom.

The event runs from 11am-11pm with early bird tickets at £10 per adult – and on the door tickets at £15.  Under 18’s go free.

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