After the extravagant indulgence of Christmas with its rich roasts, ballsy braises and plenitude of puddings it is time to celebrate the much-neglected contributor to taste that is bitterness.

Panforte, is a delicious Italian sweet made with fruits and nuts, originating in 13th century Siena.

In 1823 John Keble (of Fairford) became Vicar of Southrop and Eastleach. and lived at The Lodge (then called Southrop Parsonage) from 1823 to 1827.

It is a misty autumnal morning in ‘The Wildings’ at Thyme and there is a quiet ethereal beauty to the water meadows, woodland and riverbanks of the Southrop Manor Estate.

We stumbled across Mike and Skapa Woodstuffs scrolling through Instagram and were mesmerised by the workmanship and beauty of his pieces.

My culinary career began in a sailing environment, a sharp contrast to the gentle Cotswold countryside surrounding Thyme.