Get your tastebuds and shopping bags at the ready, a brand new delicatessen, The Henley Larder, is opening in Bell Street this October. Experience Henley loves all things foodie (keep your eyes peeled for some exciting EH news coming soon), so when we heard about The Henley Larder we tracked down Zoe Ferreirer, the Henley resident behind this new venture to find out a little bit more…

I grew up in Henley, Remenham specifically and after time living and working in New York and London moved back to my beloved home town with husband, Andre and Olivier the dog last year.  I come from an extremely foodie family, my mother Rosalind Cooper is a wine writer and I have inherited an interest in good food and drink, how it comes to be, where it comes from and beyond that the importance of small producers and eating local.

My career in the hospitality industry has ranged between taking reservations from celebrities in a famous New York restaurant to checking coats at nightclubs in London’s Westend. It’s an industry where one cuts their teeth and mine are cut!

I co ran roaming restaurant and events caterer,  ‘Chateau Marmot‘ with events across the country including several in Henley. Through this I gained further knowledge about the importance and value of small producers  and established some great relationships and even more passion for the independent food industry.

We are so fortunate to live in this beautiful town and be surrounded by fantastic small producers and farms, we are spoilt for choice. I have always been surprised that Henley does not have a delicatessen where products can all be showcased together and have dreamed and schemed for sometime of what that might look like.

This year has been such a difficult and unsettling year for everyone but something that has been a place to connect and comfort has come through food. There has been an incredible rise in people’s interest in what they are eating, supporting local and cooking at home – we all remember banana bread gate this past Spring.

My aim for the Henley Larder is to bring these fantastic products we have both locally and some slightly further afield together in a place that I hope people will find a comforting, mouth watering and exciting shopping experience. We all need some rays of light in this strange time and I want this to be just that.

Our offer will include, but not be limited to a selection of cheese, cured meats, breads, pickles, cakes and so much more. I am thrilled to have suppliers such as Nettlebed Creamery, Bread for Flour, Rachaels Larder, Boston Road Baker, Real Organic, Gorvett & Stone, Chiltern Charcuterie,  Cranston Pickles, Marlow Cheese, Honeys of Henley & Johnny Hot Stuff on board but there are many, many more, some you’ll know and love and some that will be an exciting new discovery.  We are also hoping to stock a range of specially selected alcoholic drinks to include Lovibonds Henley brewed American style craft beer, independent Marlow Bottom brewery Rebellion Beer, Henley’s own artisan Mr Hobbs Gin, Chiltern Valley Winery producers of local wines, ales & liquers and Fairmile Vineyard.

We plan to run the company as an ethical and sustainable venture and will work hard to progress that work as we go.

I’m really excited to share these amazing products and the stories behind them and look forward to welcoming people soon. It’s exciting to see Henley has  some fantastic new independent restaurants, cafes and shops and I hope we can all work to support each other and continue to encourage Henley to work together and shop local.

Delicatessen & food store in Henley-on-Thames, showcasing small and local food & beverage producers.

Web: thehenleylarder.co.uk

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thehenleylarder

Address: 62b Bell Street, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2BN