Guernsey treats
Come out from under those sunglasses to contemplate the elusive Ormer and lots more delicious foods on ‘the hospitality rock’…
Here’s the ‘foodie wrap’ on Guernsey
1. The elusive Ormer
Ormers are a local delicacy and islanders spend hours wading through coastal rock pools in search of them. There are strict rules on collecting these ‘fruits of the sea.’ Local lore insists Ormers can only be gathered on a handful of dates between January and April under a full or new moon and on the two days following them.
2. Hechet Homemade icecream
Try the delectable icecream from a local dairy in some of their 30 different flavours. They supply their icecream to outlets all over the island, from beach kiosks to top restaurants.
3. Cider Country
A once vibrant industry from the 1700s, Guernsey’s tradition of cider-making has recently been revived here at an ancient cider orchard in the heart of island. The island also has a long brewing tradition and local beers are widely available.
4. Vegetables and Flowers
Local Guernsey produce left on tables and at kiosks at the side of the road with honesty boxes for payment … get freshly grown carrots, tomatoes, potatoes and Guernsey freesias on your way home with no need for a supermarket queue.
5. Guernsey gâche, yellow butter and cream
This rich Guernsey fruit bread can be eaten straight or toasted with lashings of yellow butter. Or how about a traditional cream tea in one of the islands many tea rooms – scone, jam and dollop of thick Guernsey cream.
6. Guernsey Crab Salad and Sandwiches
The Mediterranean may be short of seafood but Guernsey is not.
Crab is a local speciality – try it in sandwiches served full to bursting, delicious crab salads and in more formal meals.
Scallop and monkfish brochette with seafood sausgage at Laurberge et Jerbourg. Photo VisitGuernsey.
7. Jewels of the Ocean
The famous oyster beds on Herm’s east coast go down a treat with a glass of cold white wine!
8. Menu Degustation et Vins at the Old Government House Restaurant
Executive Chef, Jerome Barbancon from Brittany, has created a fantastic ‘Surprise’ seven course Menu’. Only £65 per person for seven, freshly prepared courses with wine to complement each course – a menu worthy of the two AA rosettes the restaurant has been awarded.
9. The traditional ‘Bean Jar’
A delicious rich stew eaten on the island for hundreds of years– slow cooked bean casserole.
10. Vraic (seaweed)
Vraic gathering played an important role in Guernsey’s past. Today, edible seaweed is plentiful on Guernsey’s pristine beaches and local chefs harvest it from selected bays at dawn for use in a variety of restaurants.
VisitGuernsey 01481 723552
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