Get a load of our glorious caulis from Cornwall, grown by our brassica boys.

<p>“Cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education” writer Mark Twain once said. Vegetable grower Tom Simmons explains why Cornish-grown brassicas all deserve top-class status, with <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/broccoli-cauliflower/asda-large-cauliflower/1000297443691?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=article_cauliflower-meet-the-tastemakers&utm_campaign=Good-Living" target="_blank">cauliflower</a> taking centre stage on his own dining table.</p>
<p>Some days, Tom Simmons will pop out into the fields and stand among the crops holding a nice plump cauli – freshly picked for dinner later – and gaze across his land to the sea, wondering what he did to get so lucky. Farming’s a tough life, but 31-year-old Tom is a man in love with what he does.</p>
<p>‘Growing quality, affordable veg is rewarding in so many ways,’ he says. ‘Riviera Produce has been supplying Asda with brassicas for over 20 years and seeing the fruits of our labour looking fresh and lovely in store fills me with a deep sense of pride.'</p>
<p>‘And best of all, I get to farm in Cornwall, the place I consider the most beautiful in the world. After a day’s work, you’ll often find me jumping in the sea or walking on the beach with my fiancée Alexandra and our cocker spaniel, Binky. Not a bad life, eh?’</p>
<img src="https://ui.assets-asda.com/dm/231010-cauliflower-tastemaker-in-field_GL?scl=1" alt="undefined" style="height: auto;width: auto"/>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h2>Going back to your roots</h2>
<p>‘I grew up here,’ says Tom. ‘Back then it was a small farm of just 100 acres, with dairy cows and vegetable crops. My childhood memories are of following my dad around and riding alongside him on the tractor, both of us chewing on straw... I’m joking about the last part, but it was a proper country upbringing.’</p>
<p>After a day in the fields, the family would come home to his mum Suzanne’s cooking – all with homegrown veg. And Tom still eats homegrown produce almost every day, back in Falmouth, where he lives with Alexandra. ‘I’ll nip out and grab a handful of whatever looks tasty,’ he says. ‘I’ve picked up lots of tips from Mum on how to get the best out of our produce. My favourite is cauliflower, because it’s so versatile; you can roast it, tempura it, steam it, rice it and make a base for a pizza…&nbsp;</p>
<p>‘I love it every way, from traditional cauliflower cheese to whole roasted doused in Middle Eastern spices. I eat loads of our other produce, too – kale is fantastic for snacking. I add olive oil, salt, and pepper, and stick it in the oven until it’s nice and crispy.’ Tom’s dad David can take credit for the growth of Riviera Produce, from the small enterprise it was to the 8,000-acre business it is today, employing over 500 people. His breakthrough was to focus on what we’re best at ‘and when it comes to growing brassicas, we’re really good at that!’ says Tom.</p>
<img src="https://ui.assets-asda.com/dm/231010-walking-through-cauli-field_GL?scl=1" alt="undefined" style="height: auto;width: auto"/>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h2>A year-round business</h2>
<p>Cornwall’s mild climate makes it the perfect place to grow caulis all year round, and Tom believes that the free-draining soil, mild climate, and sea air all enhance the flavour of the crops too. ‘Dad and I work together, and I have huge respect for what he’s achieved,’ says Tom. ‘If I become half the farmer he is, I’ll be happy.’</p>
<p>People often imagine a big operation like Riviera Produce must be all giant prairie-style fields, but nothing could be further from the truth at Higher Trevaskis Farm, which is a patchwork of around 1,000 small fields, separated by ancient hedgerows.</p>
<p>The crops are too delicate for machinery, so everything is picked by hand. The Simmons family is hugely proud of its track record when it comes to sustainability. It practises regenerative farming, which allows the soil to replenish itself naturally. Chemical use has been massively reduced by planting a cover crop called Phacelia – also known as green manure – between the brassicas to improve soil structure and help build organic matter. All is good news for the vegetables that follow. Phacelia’s purple flowers are great for insect life, too, encouraging natural predators like ladybirds to feed on pests, reducing the use of pesticides.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Instead of ploughing the land, they strip till, which only disturbs the surface of the soil. This leaves bacteria and worms to create a healthy soil structure undisturbed, reduces erosion and lessens CO2 losses from the soil. All of this benefits the environment.&nbsp;</p>
<img src="https://ui.assets-asda.com/dm/231010-holding-cauliflower_GL?scl=1" alt="undefined" style="height: auto;width: auto"/>
<p></p>
<p>‘People matter to us, too,’ says Tom. ‘We have around 250 people. Lots are local, but we also employ people from Kazakhstan and Mongolia. We organise events, hiring buses for days out at local attractions and holding parties, which are always fun.’ The company also works closely with a local charity, collecting produce that can’t be sold. It’s redistributed to local food banks. There’s very little waste.</p>
<p>‘Suppliers like us don’t often get the chance to interact directly with the public, but we occasionally get comments from people on our Facebook page, thanking us for the quality of our produce,’ says Tom. ‘It’s a fantastic feeling when that happens. I mean, how lucky am I?’</p>

<h2>Feeling inspired by our Tastemakers story?</h2>
<p>Try getting creative in the kitchen with <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/broccoli-cauliflower/asda-large-cauliflower/1000297443691?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=article_cauliflower-meet-the-tastemakers&utm_campaign=Good-Living" target="_blank">cauliflower</a>, a simple yet versatile ingredient. Here are some delicious recipes inspired by this often overlooked veggie:

<div style="display: flex; justify-content: space-between;">
<div style="width: 31%;">
<a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/cauliflower-soup-with-bacon?recipe_id=8f6058d2-23aa-11ea-b6b7-b77f3fb7ddb0" target="_blank"><img src="https://ui.assets-asda.com/dm/asdagroceries/8f6058d2-23aa-11ea-b6b7-b77f3fb7ddb0_Square"></a>
<h3><a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/cauliflower-soup-with-bacon?recipe_id=8f6058d2-23aa-11ea-b6b7-b77f3fb7ddb0" target="_blank">Cauliflower Soup With Bacon</a></h3>
<center><p>45 mins | £0.88pp | Serves 4</p></center>
</div>
<div style="width: 31%;">
<a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/cauliflower-buffalo-wings?recipe_id=384f0355-2aff-11e9-8802-7daf07a34f81" target="_blank"><img src="https://ui.assets-asda.com/dm/asdagroceries/384f0355-2aff-11e9-8802-7daf07a34f81_Square"></a>
<h3><a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/cauliflower-buffalo-wings?recipe_id=384f0355-2aff-11e9-8802-7daf07a34f81" target="_blank">Cauliflower Buffalo Wings</a></h3>
<center><p>10 mins | £0.37pp | Serves 6</p></center>
</div>
<div style="width: 31%;">
<a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/whole-roast-cauliflower?recipe_id=384eddbc-2aff-11e9-8802-7daf07a34f81" target="_blank"><img src="https://ui.assets-asda.com/dm/asdagroceries/384eddbc-2aff-11e9-8802-7daf07a34f81_Square"></a>
<h3><a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/whole-roast-cauliflower?recipe_id=384eddbc-2aff-11e9-8802-7daf07a34f81" target="_blank">Whole Roast Cauliflower</a></h3>
<center><p>1 hr | £0.42pp | Serves 6</p></center>
</div>
</div>

<p></p>
<p>Why not get creative in the kitchen and try our cauliflower inspired recipes for yourself? Make sure to stock up on everything you need at <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=article_cauliflower-meet-the-tastemakers&utm_campaign=Good-Living" target="_blank">Asda</a> or pop into <a href="https://storelocator.asda.com/" target="_blank">your local store</a>.</p>

Cauliflower - Meet the Tastemakers

By Asda Good Living,2nd January 2023

TAGS

RELATED ARTICLES