Cowdray Estate marks farm shop anniversary with seasonal cookbook celebrating English countryside produce

Cowdray Estate in West Sussex has released its first cookbook, Seasons: A Taste of Cowdray, to mark the 15^th anniversary of its Farm Shop. The book, available at Fortnum & Mason, Cowdray.co.uk, and Cowdray Farm Shop, offers over 80 seasonal recipes and insights into life on the 16,000-acre estate located within the South Downs National Park.

The cookbook has been compiled by Cowdray’s executive chef, Ben Jupp, and is structured around the four seasons, reflecting the estate’s focus on locally sourced and sustainable produce. It features a variety of dishes using ingredients grown, reared, or foraged on the estate, including venison, lamb, Wagyu and Aberdeen Angus beef, apples, and honey.

In addition to recipes, the book includes interviews with key figures from the estate such as the gamekeeper, deer manager, sheep farmer, and forager, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at how the estate operates throughout the year. There are also practical tips on sustainable living, from pantry organisation to picnic preparation, and wine pairing advice from local producer Gusbourne.

Michael Pearson, Viscount Cowdray, whose family has owned the estate for four generations, said: “We are incredibly proud of our produce at Cowdray, and we’re delighted to launch Seasons: A Taste of Cowdray to give you a glimpse of life on the estate.”

The book includes a wide range of recipes, from simple salads to more elaborate dishes. Highlights include a herb-crusted lamb rack for spring, a Nutbourne tomato salad for summer, venison Wellington for autumn, and an apple and filo pastry pie. The volume also features sauces, dips, and dressings designed to complement the main dishes and enhance seasonal flavours.

To celebrate the launch, Cowdray will host a Kitchen Stories event at Fortnum & Mason’s Food and Drink Studio on 29^th September at 6.30pm. The event will include drinks, nibbles, and a discussion with CEO Jonathan Russell and chef Ben Jupp. 

Food Desk

To order Seasons: A Taste of Cowdray, which retails at £35, visit the Cowdray’s website here.
To purchase tickets for Kitchen Stories on the 29^th September at Fornum & Mason, visit the dedicated Eventbrite page here.