Here in Devon we are extremely lucky to have so many fantastic local producers on our doorstep – from artisan cheeses and bespoke blended teas to quality sausages and handmade puddings. In a time when consumers are increasingly concerned with low food miles and the provenance of their food, locality and the ‘shop local’ campaign have never been more apt. With this in mind we are producing a blog series on our local producers and their delicious products, this week focusing on Olive’s Kitchen.Olive’s Kitchen are producers of gourmet, handmade meals freshly made by husband and wife team Charlie and Nikki Allhusen from their converted barn in Sherbourne, Dorset. The business was established in 2013 as a deli and soon customers began asking for homemade meals that they could take home and reheat for themselves – allowing them to eat a healthy, nutritious meal with the ease and convenience of fast food. In 2016 after developing a reputation for their delicious meals, Charlie and Nikki made the decision to close the deli and concentrate fully on Olive’s Kitchen. They converted a barn near their home which became headquarters and began developing the range available today.

We currently stock a wide range of the Olive’s Kitchen products including the rich and succulent Beef Bourguignon made using locally sourced beef slow cooked in a red wine sauce and creamy Fish Pie made using sustainable smoked haddock, salmon and cod in a creamy sauce with leeks and spinach, topped with buttery mash and toasted breadcrumbs. We are particularly fond of their dessert range which includes deliciously spiced Apple Crumble with a crunchy oat topping and the decadently gooey Chocolate Brownie with an irresistible melt in the middle centre.

All of the Olive’s Kitchen range is made using traditional family methods and techniques alongside locally sourced ingredients to create the good honest food that their customers would expect if they cooked the meals themselves. Click here to view the whole range.