AsparagusFest - Origins.

I started Asparagus Fest in 2004 because I was incensed that British asparagus was unobtainable from Stoke Newington. Zero. Peruvian check. Spanish check. Argentinian sure no problem. English - you're having a laugh mate!

One Friday I was in Ridley Rd Market and found some - 60p a bunch. I bought six bunches. I went to Bristol to see friends and brought it with me and added it to some Spanish stuff. There was no comparison.

The next week I went back and asked for it - I was shrugged at and directed to the Spanish stuff. NO! NO! NO! I want the British stuff! Huh? Eh? What's the difference. (Count to ten, Ben).

Asparagus quickly ages and by the time the stuff has been imported (especially from South America) its woody, pappy and nothing like the freshly picked you can get in season.

I only eat British asparagus in the UK and only in season. I don't want Peruvian woody stalks in my pasta in November. I want wild mushrooms and risotto in November. Seasonality no?

What also irked me was that you could find British asparagus in fancy stores like Selfridges in different sizes, grades etc but BOY was it expensive. £10 per kilo! It isn't a food for the rich and blessed. Its a tasty, healthy and versatile food stuff. (And its fun too).

British produce can be of the highest quality yet often we settle for the second rate imported stuff. Why? I am/was fed up of the grumbling acceptance of culinary mediocrity that seemd to epitomise UK food buying.

So in May 2004 after an hour of talking to farms in East Anglia I found a farm that would sell me 10 kilos for £30. Thanks very much I said, bombing up the A12 to Suffolk one Saturday in May. I was so excited. Have you seen what 10 kilos of asparagus looks like?

I told my friends that I was having an asparagus day - cooking it 10 different ways and asking who wanted to come? 25 people came. The asparagus all went and a festival was born.