Cobbs farm shop is somewhere I like to visit to have a good old nose around. It’s nice to go and have a look at new food brands that I haven’t heard of, see what they’ve got growing and almost always buy some of their Coronation Chicken. When I received an email from a fellow food obsessive who wanted to meet up and chin wag about all things food, breakfast at Cobbs sounded like a great idea.
I turned up at Cobbs bright and early and met up with the two managers of Cobbs Farm for breakfast. Contrary to ‘normal’ shopping habits, bread and milk are what greet you on entry to the shop. But not just any bread, lovely bread from The Fabulous Baker Brothers. I have so far tried their malt loaf and sourdough both of which were great. There’s always plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables on show too.
I didn’t realise that they make and bake their own sausage rolls and other bits (a very tempting smell), have an on-site meat hanging room for their butcher and I had no idea just how much room they had to grow their own fruit and veg. They also had an interesting blackboard outside comparing the price of their vegetables with that of some of the well-known supermarkets. Cobbs prices for everything on the board that day were the same price or cheaper. The cheese counter is something to behold; there are cheeses in there I am desperate to try so I think I’ll have to work left to right.
I have been to Cobbs for Sunday lunch before (it’s lovely) but until a few weeks ago had never been for breakfast. I have been missing out. I opted for the Morning Mushroom as it sounded like a fantastic, yet guilt free, combination of textures and flavours. A lovely portobello mushroom on the bottom topped with spinach and a poached egg with grilled tomatoes on the side. It was great how they put the extra effort in by adding a little nutmeg to the spinach and a little thyme to the tomatoes; it’s exactly how I would make it.
After much chin wagging and discussing food, farming and foraging we went to have a look at the farm. We were walking through the pick your own rows first looking at the berries which are all on their way. At the end of the PYO section there was the vineyard. I can’t think of a prettier place to spend a day; the flint soil, south facing slopes and terroir match almost exactly that of the Champagne region of France. And of course, they are growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (it would be rude not to). This is the first year they will have a harvest so I can’t wait to see what happens to it.
The rhubarb patches were in full swing and I like to think I was helpful in pulling up a few stalks but in reality the much more experienced rhubarb puller-uppers did a far better job than me. I was also allowed the first spear of the year, of asparagus that is, and I ate it raw as soon as I got home. I spent a lovely morning with two people who are clearly very passionate about food and its provenance. It was really interesting to meet the people behind the farm shop and I can’t wait until their crates outside are brimming with beans, tomatoes, berries, mushrooms, asparagus and all manner of wonderful seasonal produce.
I wasn’t invited to Cobbs to review it, just to talk all things food! I learnt so many things about the farm shop that I wanted to share it.
what a great place to shop! and a brilliant day out!
Sounds like a lovely market! Such a great activity for a spring day.
I just love such shops! If I would have a chance I would never go to supermarket 😀
We have a similar set up at the posh farm shop close by. A lovely place to visit.
What fun! looks riiight up my alley, too =)
Your breakfast does look amazing! And lucky you getting a taste of fresh rhubarb and asparagus! Fun!
How nice to meet some real-life Food Heroes! I wonder how popular their breakfasts are? Do they serve them all day, or are they just aiming at the early-risers?
This looks like a great place for breakfast! Wish I could visit them.
Looks like a lovely spot to have breakfast!
Looks like a wonderful farmshop. I feel very lucky to have some great farmshops in my part of the Cotswolds, but none with a vineyard! That yummy breakfast is making me hungry too.
I wish I had somewhere like this on my doorstep. The menu sounds fabulous. I love Hungerford and Marlborough and will make a note about this farmshop, it sounds great.
That looks like a perfect poached egg. Very jealous. We are severely lacking in good brunch spots near wembley. Also, I LOVE that seahorse sign. Brilliant!
Ooh, I love nosying around places like that!
Se ve muy tentador muy sabroso sus ingredientes el huevo roto está perfecto,abrazos y abrazos.
i wld love to visit farms of such kind too..oh, didnt know asparagus can be eaten raw 😀
what a fun day! I would love to yank out a bunch of fresh rhubarb…
how cool looks like a great way to spend a day
I would love to spend a like like this…very enjoyable and fun.
what a delightful little excursion!
I want to visit the shop too! A lovely place.
Hi Caroline, thanks for visiting my
blog. That poached egg looks wonderful, so beautifully cooked.
Are they making a funny out of the horse meat scandal? What a perfect poached egg!