Roberts, a chef turned cookery writer, sells the dream of the good life better than anyone. When he realised that he couldn’t sustain the pace as a chef at Noble Rot, he left London and set himself up with chickens, pig, sheep, goats and beehives on a small farm in Dorset.
His new cookbook, which focuses on the careful handling of local and seasonal produce, is inspired by that journey and is a pure delight.
Naturally, creating the book came with its challenges. Roberts, 31, says: ‘However hard, it was also a time of joy and dedication. The best moments were when our incredible team came together, to cook, grow, taste, plant, discuss and embed ourselves in the daily workings of our little farm.’ Thank God they did, because our kitchens are richer for the arrival of The Farm Table.
If you don’t take our word for it, take Nigel Slater’s. He describes it as: ‘A heartwarming and uplifting book. The recipes are utterly gorgeous.’
Here, inspired by both the book and Roberts’s Instagram feed, we’ve fashioned three of those recipes into a delicious, do-able, dinner-party menu.
With Drinks…
Pan Con Tomate With Sardines And Salsa Verde
Julius knows all about pairing aperitifs with salty snacks. This recipe, which piles tomatoes, sardines and salsa verde on slivers of sourdough toast, is a perfect example. Now, all that’s left to do is mix the martinis.
As A Main Course…
Epic Tarragon Roast Chicken
Nobody but a vegetarian is ever disappointed when roast chicken hits the table. Roberts’s roast chicken, an Instagram sensation, is on another level altogether. He says: ‘It’s the sauce of this chicken that really sets it apart: handfuls of tarragon, lashings of cream and a proper dollop of mustard, which, when combined with the cooking juices, garlic and wine, creates a truly epic mouthful.’ He suggests that you serve it with a ‘zingy green salad’ and we’d add potatoes your favourite way to the plate.
For Pudding…
Tiramisu
Guests are always impressed by this Italian coffee-flavoured treat of a pudding. Tiramisu, which translates as ‘pick me up’, certainly lifts the spirits and is Roberts’s absolute favourite. An easy blend of coffee, brandy, cream and sponge fingers, this one packs a punch.
By Becky Ladenburg
November 2023
