“Working with small local producers has always been incredibly important to me. My background is in agriculture. My parents were farmers here in Normandy, I therefore understand this profession and the struggles it comes with. They only worked with natural produce, and I have followed in their footsteps. They are the reason I started cooking as we never lacked ingredients. They taught me gardening as well as breeding.  

I am very lucky to be so close to the Bayeux farmers’ market where I met most of the local producers I’ve been working with for the past 20 years. I’ve been (more or less) going to it weekly and that’s how I’ve built such a strong relationship with each of them. Mrs. Therese, for instance, is the only person that makes an outstanding artisanal foie gras in the area, and she exclusively supplies Le Botaniste as well as private individuals. 

I also met Pierre Vandaële there, an organic vegetable farmer who now looks after Château la Chenevière’s permaculture vegetable garden, which I’m so grateful to have. It’s such an asset. It’s also an incredible source of inspiration. Pierre and I meet at least once a week to discuss the upcoming seasonal harvest. He’s full of ideas and innovation; and always samples my recipes. It’s real teamwork. Together, we find solutions, like keeping dried beans for the in between-seasons period.

In the kitchen, we also use the permaculture approach and try not to be wasteful by making full use of vegetables, for example. We keep the scraps, stalks, peels and leaves and incorporate them into our recipes.

Working with natural, delicious produce harvested in Normandy is a true honor. I always try to put myself in our suppliers’ shoes to fully understand the complexity of their profession. To use their produce is to undertake a big responsibility. We continue to learn at this level of quality. By using products that are always delicious and of the utmost freshness, we continue to innovate together. »

Didier Robin, Head Chef at Le Botaniste

For more information on our permaculture, please visit our website here.