“BETTER farming means better food”.
That’s the message from zero-waste chef and food writer Tom Hunt, who is set to speak and showcase the fruits of his culinary ethos this weekend at the food and farming festival, Regen Gathering 2025.
Heralding local ingredients, from scallops to foraged legumes and black butter in his three-course menu designed specifically for the event, the chef wants to highlight the importance of zero-waste cooking in his menu—where as much of the ingredients are used as possible—and regenerative farming practices that support the land and those working it.
The free two-day event on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 September, held at Le Tâcheron Farm, marks the third consecutive year an event of its kind takes place in Jersey. The idea for it was borne from a trip to the Groundswell Agriculture Festival in 2023, after which organisers wanted to bring something similar to the island.
One of various visiting speakers, Mr Hunt will present his skills and knowledge in front of local food suppliers, chefs, growers, and stakeholders to workshop how Jersey’s home-grown grub can be better for the planet and our health.
On the local menu he has designed with SCOOP Kitchen co-founder India Hamilton, Mr Hunt wanted to emphasise the importance of the suppliers and the farmers who grew or reared the produce.
He said: “[Farmers and suppliers] were very important in the design of our menu. They do the hard bit and create the delicious food. As chefs, it’s our job to respect that and help present those flavours on the plate in a nice way.”
Looking ahead to the weekend, he said events like Regen Gathering allow those in the food industry to understand how “farming is done better, because that really means better food and more flavour”.
Also the author of the eco recipe book, Eating for Pleasure, People and Planet, Mr Hunt said the growing popularity of the food festival comes with a general growth in food sustainability as a result of climate change.
“Farmers are experiencing climate change first-hand, and they know that we need to farm more regeneratively in order to adapt to the climate crisis,” Mr Hunt explained and added that the public too are becoming more aware of climate change and how important our food system is on health and the environment.
Subsequently, the London and Bristol restaurateur is also appearing on a panel discussion called ‘Investing in Island Health: From Soil to Public Health’, taking place at 1pm on Friday 5 September.
Mr Hunt also does a lot of work in the third sector and uses his knowledge of zero-waste cooking to combat food poverty.
Islanders can reserve their free tickets for all events at Regen Gathering 2025 via Eventbrite.
