As I sat down to write this journal, I reflected that our followers may have started to get a feel for what inspires us at Vigour and Skills by now. For us, passion, talent and integrity are paramount to success – traits that the artists, artisans and makers we champion certainly have by the bucket-load.

Pooch Horsburgh is no exception to this rule. 2 years ago, I met Pooch at my local pub and we’ve kept in touch – since then, we’ve followed the twists and turns of each others’ lives, including everything from new babies to birthdays, business ventures and book launches.

Fast forward to the launch of Vigour and Skills and Pooch could not have been more supportive. She instantly understood our mission and helped us come up with a long list of some incredibly local talented makers, some of which you can shop on site today.

Put simply, Pooch really embodies everything we stand for at Vigour and Skills. A fellow Cotswold local, she’s incredibly passionate about food, and has been involved in the industry in one way or another for over 20 years. She’s worked as a Food Producer on shows ranging from River Cottage to Great British Bake Off, and she’s been an invaluable behind the scenes right-hand woman to countless chefs like Gordon Ramsay, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Michel Roux Jr (both for TV work and also on cookbooks).

Today we’re incredibly excited to share with you some of her latest work, taken from her new book in collaboration with British Blacksmith Alex Pole. 1 BLACKSMITH : 21 CHEFS : 40 RECIPES. 

Each of the Forge chefs have taken their inspiration from cookware hand made in the fires of Alex Poles Somerset forge, they have given it purpose and function, to create delicious recipes suitable for anyone to cook at home.

Recipes from some of Britain’s best chefs including Gill Meller, Thomasina Miers, Mark Hix and Hugh Fearnely-Whittingstall. 

The best bit about the recipes we’re sharing is that it’s cooked completely outdoors over an open fire (using a stoud tripod and any cauldron-esque pot you’ve got to hand). Not only is this a new, exciting way to experience food – at a time when we’re all mourning the temporary closure of our pubs and restaurants, it’s an adventurous project that could occupy your next weekend in lockdown. Enjoy!

Beatrice.

Buy the book “The forge Kitchen” here

(photo of Pooch by Alex Pole and photos of outdoor cooking by Tim Booth)