My story

A childhood in the Surrey Hills is where my passion for all things wild began.

Needless to say, homework was not my first port of call upon returning home from school – I’d head straight to the woods. Climbing trees, building dams across ditches and making mud forts. The woods are where I’m truly at peace and building fires to cook over in amongst the trees in the great outdoors makes me one very happy chap.

I first stepped foot in a working kitchen at the age of 15 – coming from a mainly vegetarian/vegan family, I had quite the baptism of fire when first confronted with a chiller full of pheasants. Discovering where food came from became a passion and I made it my mission to learn my craft utilising all animals from nose to tail, and all fresh produce from root to fruit.

Outside of the time working in the kitchen, my food inspired adventure also granted time working in a fantastic local butchery and farm shop, providing further insight into the importance of provenance and getting the most out of every part of the animal, as well as experience with curing meat, preserving and pickling local produce and baking bread, pies and pastries.

The Salt Box was born out of a passion for seasonally inspired, locally sourced and wild ingredients.

We offer a range of open-fire cookery courses, natural art workshops and woodland dining experiences. Our feasts over fire showcase the very best of our doorstep produce, all enjoyed around our signature shared dining tables. From woodlands suppers to breakfast in the woods and teas in the trees, join us for a meal with a difference.

Our events are primarily hosted in the great outdoors or in our cosy barn.