Dave Hughes, owner and chef Mark Fletcher of the Badger Inn in Church Munshill near Crewe showed us a very warm welcome when we arrived as guests of Essential Cuisine, the stock people. 

Chef willingly allowed us into the kitchen to see his stock pot – Nigel Crane, managing director of Essential Cuisine was keen to show us how the Essential Cuisine products compliment the daily dishes of any busy chef.

We tried to keep out of the way of a busy pub kitchen in full service – the pub has seen a huge turn around in business in the last two years and the restaurant has a home-made feel.  The staff are friendly, the beers are good and the food is delicious.

The pub restaurant with rooms is a ten minute drive from the new Essential Cuisine factory and head office.  A visit the following day allowed us to really experience the full range of products made by a British manufacturer.  Essential Cuisine like to think of themselves as stock specialists, and they seem to know their stocks from their glaces!

We tried some recipes including this one http://www.essentialcuisine.com/recipes/white-wine-chicken-cream-sauce and had a tour. 

The business is growing and with an increased team on board and a BRC accreditation imminent, the blue jacketed team seem set for the future.