A Borders jeweller is campaigning to promote local, sustainable, organic produce and “real food”.
Laura Marsh, who lives in Kelso, aims to celebrate the region’s foodie credentials and teach others to cook good quality meals.
Laura, who has sold her work to the rich and famous, has started a blog and Facebook page highlighting top local producers, shops and eating places. She also posts healthy recipes. She said: “This is something I am promoting out of my own pocket because I think we need a community of foodies who care what they eat and feed to our children.”
She is holding a gourmet barbecue to raise money for Cash for Kids at the Border Union showground in Kelso as part of her campaign.
Laura explained how her one-woman campaign started: “The weekly trip to my local supermarket became a big disappointment. They only sell organic mince and a few bits of chicken, and a really limited range of organic veg. I found many local independent organic producers all around us. I decided to share my finds with the Eat, a Scottish Borders-based food blog.
“Turning 50 this January was a catalyst. It made me realise it’s now or never.”
A silver and goldsmith for 30 years, Laura’s first shop was in London. She exhibited at the Edinburgh Festival in 1990 and fell in love with Scotland, setting up shop in the city before moving to the Hirsel, Coldstream, five years ago. She has sold pieces to American actresses Susan Sarandon and Lisa Marie Presley, singer Toyah Willcox and British actress Annette Crosbie.
“Food is my passion, “ she says in her blog: “From a young age I learned respect for food, and the living ingredients that had sacrificed their life so that I have nutrition. I expect my food fresh and of the highest quality.”
She includes recipes in honour of her mother “who died young and who wanted to share our family recipes with the world”, she explains.
Her barbecue is on April 21 (10am-6pm). Visit Facebook.com and look for EAT Scottish Borders Based Food Blog.