Bedfordshire chilli grower Edible Ornamentals has been awarded a £40,000 grant to create an on-site catering facility, The Edible Kitchen.

The grant was awarded through the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) by the Greensand Ridge Local Action Group, which is managed locally by Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity (BRCC). The new operation will open in early May to provide refreshments and light lunches for visitors specialist nursery.

Joint owner of Edible Ornamentals, Joanna Plumb, said: “We have established Edible Ornamentals as one of the UKs leading experts in growing and supplying superb fresh chillies and now grow over 100 different varieties including the world-beating super-hot Trinidad Moruga Scorpion.

'People from all over the country visit us to buy chilli peppers and plants and ask our advice on all aspects of growing and cooking with fresh chillies. There are currently no catering facilities on site, so the Edible Kitchen will mean that all our visitors, whether local or from far away, can not only relax with a cup of tea or coffee but will be able to enjoy a light lunch, freshly prepared from ingredients which we grow ourselves and pick fresh each day.”

The Edible Kitchen will continue the chilli theme, providing a range of dishes including Mexican, American and Sicilian fusion styles.

Plumb added, “We want all our visitors to enjoy a total chilli experience. The Edible Kitchen is a natural addition to the nursery which will not only provide food and refreshments, but show the versatility of chillies and how they can add that extra sparkle to a whole range of different culinary styles.”

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