A few weeks ago we had a request for a booking here at The Barn from a Belgian couple who wanted to stay in a vegan guest house. No problem....we had vacancies. Then they asked if we could do raw food for them as they were just starting to convert to an uncooked diet. "Well", I said, "I suppose we can do the odd salad". But what that started was the beginning of a really fascinating adventure for both Sandra and me.

I began to explore some of the sites devoted to raw food and quickly discovered what a huge and interesting aspect of eating this is. There was, coincidentally, an article in the Vegetarian about the Raw Food School and in it there was mention of things like raw spaghetti! So I investigated further and found this amazing little kitchen tool called a Spiral Slicer that can 'spaghettify' almost and raw vegetable. You won't believe the taste until you've tried it.

A little later I was sent a review of SAF - a new, very chic restaurant in Shoreditch (London) that describes itself as providing 'Fine Botanical Dining'. And most of what is served is raw. Well I just had to go! And I wasn't disappointed. I had probably the tastiest (and healthiest) restaurant meal I've ever eaten.... Boursin 'cheese' followed by raw lasagne (yes I know what you're thinking but forget it - just try it) and finished off with an apple cheesecake.

Wanting to know more I booked myself on a Raw Food for Beginners course run by the wonderful Jenny Bourne. Imagine a whole day watching new creations appear before your eyes then gorging yourself on the results - heaven! You just must taste the Chocolate Pudding made with raw chocolate powder and avocados.....

I'm too much of a caffeine, bread and alcohol fiend to go the whole way and eat 100% raw but I can honestly say that after a day of eating Jenny's food I felt energised and inspired. So I'll definitely be adding more raw food into my diet and into the menus at The Barn from now on. I thoroughly recommend it.