TV chef goes back to his roots at Daresbury speciality growers’ farm

Jan and Kevin Dobbs welcomed old friend Aiden to Growing@Field28, on Chester Road, so the chef could try out a few new recipes in the kitchen.

At Growing@Field28, they produce specialist herbs indoors and grow a wide range of specialist vegetables, all of which are supplied to top chefs across the UK.

They pride themselves on supplying the best, freshest produce with the least food miles, all grown without the use of pesticides and biocides.

The ever-growing six acre vegetable patch at Field28

Jan said: “Aiden is what I would call a chef’s chef – classically trained with a wealth and depth of experience and knowledge.

“He is inspirational to chefs in the kitchen and encourages us all to become better at what we do.

“Aiden has recently moved away from The Church Green and has some exciting plans for projects, which can’t be revealed at the moment.

“Having known Aiden for many years, when he told us his plans, we were immediately excited about the prospect of having him work his magic with our produce.

“We talk about our produce being ‘field fresh’ and knowing that Aiden and our other chefs are out in the field in their chefs’ whites, harvesting exactly what they need – from lovage, dill and coriander to carrots, beetroots and kale – and then cooking with it within minutes, is the ultimate expression of that.”

Jan and Kevin launched Growing@Field28 seven years ago when they bought a field next to their dental practice with a plan to grow specialist herbs and vegetables.

Aiden was picking herbs and vegetables from the field

Jan said: “It wasn’t quite a Jeremy Clarkson and Diddly Squat moment but it comes close.

“We went from implanting teeth to planting vegetables!

“We were always keen foodies and keen gardeners so it was a natural development turning a hobby into a business.

“Just like Jeremy Clarkson, we have seen first-hand the struggle that UK farmers have faced in recent years and we have nothing but admiration for them.

“In our own much smaller fashion – our farm is a very small six acres - we have overcome many hurdles over the past few years and without our passion for exceptional food we would have undoubtedly thrown in the towel.

“When we look at what we have achieved, in a relatively short space of time, it makes us very proud.

“Our aim is to produce top quality products while not damaging the land that we own and the environment we occupy.

“You can find our products in some of the best restaurants around the country, many of which hold those coveted Michelin stars.

“We also make the very same produce available to the local community via our modest farm shop.”

Aiden has been sharing ideas and plans for the furture with Jan and Kevin

While Aiden is with Jan and Kevin, he will be helping out at both Field28 and their sister restaurants – Chefs Table and Restaurant 28 in Chester.

Jan said: “Both restaurants have been gaining national recognition, with a wonderful review by Giles Coren in the Sunday Times and Restaurant 28 being named as Conde Naste UK’s best restaurant earlier this year.

“Aiden remains the youngest person ever to gain a Michelin star and having a chef of his Aiden working with us, allows us to plan for even higher levels of achievement.

“Aiden will be working with our Chefs Table and Field28 chefs for our son’s wedding in August, which will take place in the vegetable patch here!

“We just need to keep our fingers crossed that the weather gods are kind.

“Beyond that, Aiden will be helping at our popular supper club events and I’m sure there will be a few ‘evenings with Aiden’ to keep his long-standing customers happy, while his own projects take shape.”

TV chef Aiden Byrne has been working chefs at Growing@Field28 in Daresbury