Slow Food Barrel Talks & Tastings

Sam Gray: The Secret Life of Flavour - What pigs, chefs and farming taught me about food

Where:

Slow Food Garden - Castle Gardens

When:

13th September 2026
1:30 pm to 2:30 pm

What makes one pork chop unforgettable while another is merely ordinary? Is it the recipe, the chef... or does the story begin much earlier?

Author and former Shropshire smallholder Sam Gray spent fifteen years raising rare-breed pigs and sheep, supplying everyone from local families to renowned chefs.

In this entertaining and thought-provoking talk, she reveals how every decision—from breed and diet to butchery and cooking—shapes the flavour on our plates.
Along the way she will share humorous stories from life on the farm, explain why traditional skills such as butchery still matter, and explore the often-overlooked role of Britain’s disappearing small abattoirs in protecting flavour, animal welfare and the future of independent farming.

Whether you’re passionate about food, curious about where it comes from, or simply enjoy a good story, you’ll leave with a fresh appreciation for the remarkable chain of people and skills behind every memorable meal.