Forage & Feast: A Taste of the Wild in Derbyshire
As autumn settles over Derbyshire, we’ve been reflecting on one of the golden highlights of summer: the Forage & Feast event at Darley Abbey. Hosted by Peak Forager and Cherry Pickle Catering, it was a celebration of wild food, community and countryside dining - the kind of day that reminds you why Derbyshire is such a special place to explore and eat your way through.
There are certain days that feel like they belong in a summertime novel - golden light filtering through trees, laughter echoing along riverbanks, and a feast shared with strangers who soon feel like friends. The Forage & Feast event at Darley Abbey was one of those days - a celebration of wild food, community, and the magic of the countryside.
Nestled just north of Derby, Darley Abbey’s tranquil woodlands and riverside meadows provided the perfect setting for a late spring ramble. Led by Andrew Ford, otherwise known as ‘Peak Forager’, our group of around a dozen enthusiastic nature-lovers set off, baskets in hand, with our eyes peeled for seasonal treasures. Andrew, brimming with knowledge of the land, guided us through hedgerows and between the trees, pointing out tender wild garlic, wood sorrel, magnolia and even the unassuming dandelion.
There’s something incredibly grounding about foraging - reconnecting with the land and tuning into the subtle rhythms of season. And Andrew, with his years of experience and respect for nature, helped make it feel not just accessible, but instinctive. He spoke about sustainability and folklore with the same excitement and affection, and you could sense we were learning more than just about food - we were being welcomed into an ancient conversation between people and place. Andrew carried a backpack filled with tasty treats to try along the way, from nettle soup to wild garlic capers, to elderflower champagne and wildflower shortbread, we spent a couple of blissful hours meandering through the park, discovering and collecting as we went.
Once our walk was complete, we gathered at The Coach House on Duffield Road, where the garden table had been draped with linens and set with beautiful seasonal details, overlooking the wisteria and bluebells. We’d been blessed with fantastic weather, and sipped on magnolia cordial whilst Holly Faulkner of Cherry Pickle Catering began preparing our feast.
Holly’s menu was nothing short of enchanting - full of playful touches and thoughtful pairings. We started with a delicious focaccia with mugwort and nettle seeds, served with cultured butter and wild garlic salt, followed by hot smoked trout pate, pickled fennel and wych elm seeds served with wild garlic aioli and a Yorkshire pudding.
Our third course: ham hock terrine with wild garlic pickles and wood sorrel dressing, moving on to fermented pearl barley orzotto with wild garlic, pickled mushrooms and ricotta fritter. Of course, saving room for dessert: an extremely impressive dandelion and hazelnut liqueur tiramisu, with chocolate and woodruff mousse and dandelion honeycomb.
Just as we thought we couldn’t possibly eat any more: out came the Madelines, with pine cone syrup, sweet woodruff cream and wildflower chocolate bark.
What made it all so special, though, was the spirit of it. Eating outdoors, with the soft chatter of birdsong and the company of fellow foragers. It felt like a celebration of everything good and grounded: a reminder that the most memorable meals aren’t always about luxury ingredients or polished service - they’re about connection: to nature, to each other, and to life’s simple pleasures.
Join an upcoming Forage & Feast event
Sunday 16th November - Alderwasley Village Walk & Alderwasley Village Hall
Follow @peakforager and @cherrypicklecatering for updates, event announcements and seasonal inspiration.