Cake whisperer and Great British Bake Off contestant Val Stones will be joining in the fun when Croots Farm Shop stages a special pre-Christmas food and drink event.
The popular amateur baker is the sister of Steve Croot, who owns Croots Farm Shop near Duffield, with wife Kay.
Val will be taking part in the Derbyshire farm shop’s Taste of Christmas event on Thursday 17th November, which is the chance for customers to meet and chat to some of the store’s suppliers and receive 10% off their shopping.
There she will be demonstrating how to make Christmas gingerbread men and introducing some of her special bakes for the Croots range of home-made cakes.
Due to popular demand, Val will be giving three 30-minute demonstrations in the afternoon at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm, with a further two in the evening at 6pm and 7.15pm alongside the Taste of Christmas event.
Suppliers will be chatting to customers between 5pm and 8.30pm, when there will be carols from the Dalesmen Male Voice Choir and mulled wine and mince pies in Shires Eatery.
The farm shop on Wirksworth Road will also be launching its annual Christmas hamper raffle in aid of its adopted charity, Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre.
“We’re looking forward to a special night where we bring our wonderful suppliers together under one roof to showcase our new Christmas range with lots of chances to taste the food and drink and a night of music and fun supported by the Dalesmen Male Voice Choir who will be singing Christmas carols during the evening,” said Steve. “To really get into the spirit of the season, all customers will receive 10% off any products bought from 2pm on 17th November.
“I know our customers are looking forward to seeing Val too. She’s a regular visitor to Croots and has had a hand in some of the recipes we use in our bakes over the years. Many of our customers are real fans of Val, who’s become popular and well known for her cake whispering and her baking aerobics.”
As a result of demand, her demonstrations are by ticket only, due to limited seating, and are available in advance from the shop or by booking over the telephone on 01332 843 032. They cost £3. Entry to the Taste of Christmas event is free.
Val Stones said: “I’m very much looking forward to returning to Croots Farm Shop and to taking part in the Taste of Christmas event.”
Among the suppliers due to attend the event in the evening are Mr Pitchfork Pickles, Luke Evans Bakery, Sloemotion, local chocolates producers Camaya and Bittersweet, Staffordshire turkey farmer Robert Scraggs, Bluebell Dairy, beef farmer Margaret Heath, Duffield Dairy, and Darley Abbey Wines. Local candle producer On a Wick and a Prayer is also due to take part.
Croots, which is based at Farnah House Farm, is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm (Shires Eatery until 4.30pm) and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays. Croots runs Fresh Fish Thursdays between 9am and 1pm on Thursdays.
For more information, visit www.croots.co.uk Find Croots on Twitter @crootsfarm_shop or on Facebook
