New head vegetable gardener at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons

26th May 2010, 11:30am

Raymond Blanc has appointed Jo Campbell head vegetable gardener at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, bringing over 10 years of experience to the role.

A self-taught gardener, Campbell developed and ran a Victorian walled kitchen garden at Mount St John Estates in North Yorkshire. She transformed the derelict one-acre garden, overgrown with neglected fruit tree espaliers and dilapidated greenhouses into an ornamental yet highly productive kitchen garden.

With the emphasis on seasonality and flavour, Campbell grew an array of crops including leeks, broad beans, carrots and beetroot and more unusual varieties of tomatoes. Campbell sold the vegetables to local restaurants and delicatessens promoting the importance of locally grown produce.

Commenting on the appointment, Raymond Blanc, chef patron, Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons said: "I am very excited that Jo is joining my talented and formidable team. We are a close group here at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons and the inventiveness, talent and fierce pride we all share is something that I know Jo will become a true part of. I am immensely impressed by her energy and enthusiasm as well as her obvious in depth knowledge of the natural world and produce as well as her love of seasonality and provenance."

Campbell added: "It is a privilege to work in Le Manoir's iconic kitchen gardens. I am looking forward to sharing my enthusiasm and passion for fresh locally grown produce with both the chefs and diners at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons."

Related Articles:

• 08 Sep 2010 - Chef Raymond Blanc scoops Good Food Lifetime Achievement Award
• 27 Aug 2010 - Friends and colleagues gather at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons to bid au revoir to the legendary Monsieur Alain
• 08 Jul 2010 - Luxury Chocolaterie Casemir recruits new UK sales manager

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