No. 004 : The Farm Table
[NEW!] A glowing dreamy look at farm life in the English countryside.
5 things I’m swooning over in The Farm Table
Dreamy Look at Farm Life
I’m surely not the only one who has daydreamed about running off to go live on a farm, in sync with nature and eating what I’ve grown. But realistically I’m lucky to keep my dog alive and grow a tomato plant each summer. And that’s enough because now I can live vicariously through Julius Roberts’ The Farm Table. Reading the stories of how he traded in life as a chef in London for an ever growing farm, transports you alongside him to the English countryside. I fell for the first charming pigs he got and the hilarious kid goats he raises and loved hearing about how he and his brothers work together to grow the families food and livelihood. In fairness to Julius he also does a great job at describing just how much hard work and dedication goes into this life. And yet even in that honesty I still felt the pull due to his alluring prose.
Celebrates the Seasons
In an impressive feat, the book is written and captured over the course of a whole year, giving you a look at each season. Each section opens with a beautifully written story of what farm life is like at that time of year, and then flows seamlessly into a collection of recipes that celebrate the available ingredients of that season. Following the experiences and the food of each change throughout the year gives you an even deeper sense of being carried away to the farm.
Stunning Film Photography
Not only was the book written over a year, but it was also photographed over a year. This blows me away as cookbooks are often shot entirely over just a couple weeks. Doing the photos this way, you can feel the light changing throughout the seasons, giving each section of the book its own energy. In another contrast from typical cookbook images, these were shot on film and on medium format cameras (you can see the behind the scenes in the instagram posts below). The light captured in these film images gives an ethereal feeling that adds to the dreamy quality of the book. This work from photographer Elena Heatherwick, with help from Marco Kesseler and styling and production from Florence Blair, had me awed. Beautifully done.
Breathtaking Prose
“Sharp heavy frosts blanket the land in a quiet fog broken only by the bones of trees. Unrelenting rain and impenetrable clouds steal the sun for weeks. We work outside, battling penetrating wind with rosy cheeks, dragon breath and fingers so stiff with cold they hurt. Dorset mizzle refuses to rain but leaves you soaked, and the long quiet nights come with iron skies and haunting moons. It is a time for self-reflection, crackling fires and hearty cooking.”
“Clouds of flowers surround the farm and we pick cow parsley, sweet peas and buttercups by the armful, pouring them into pitchers and vases to fill the house with their dizzying scent. Light dances in windows thrown open to release the cloying heat within, and sheets billow on the washing line like the lonely sails of a ship at sea… The kitchen is filled with baskets of zucchinis, among patches of basil and mint, as we shuck peas and fava beans at the table.”
It took all my restraint not to pull quote the whole book, but I feel like these few sentences describing winter and summer speak for themselves.
Recipes I Can’t Wait to Try
Julius’ approach to cooking inspires me. He believes in seasonal eating, cooking intuitively, and literally exclaims “You should never feel bound by a recipe!” Beyond feeling encouraged and inspired by his style, the recipes themselves sound delicious! I love that this is a book I will be picking up year round so I can cook seasonally alongside him. I just made the Orange Vodka with my blood oranges and I am already anticipating the drinks I’ll make this summer after they rest for 3 months. There are also recipes from Summer - like Scallops Grilled in their Shells with ‘Nduja Butter - and Autumn - hello Chicken & Ricotta Meatballs in Broth with Orzo, Creme Fraiche & Dill - that I can’t wait to come back around and try. The seasonality feels inspiring and exciting. As does the invitation to keep coming back vicariously to Julius’ farm.
The Farm Table is by Julius Roberts
You can find more about Julius Roberts on his website and his instagram.
CLUB CHAT
Do you have a favorite recipe from The Farm Table?
What did you learn while reading or cooking from The Farm Table?
Do you grow or raise any of your own food? Or just daydream about it like me?
Should we all just run away and start our own farms?