Some weekends capture everything that Hockey's Farm Shop is about.

Last weekend was certainly one of them.

On Friday evening, our beautifully refurbished polytunnel welcomed guests for the second event in our Summer Series, Persian Night. It was a sold-out evening of wonderful food, great company and relaxed summer dining in the heart of the New Forest. Earlier in the week, we also had the honour of attending the CLA and New Forest National Park Awards at the New Forest and Hampshire County Show, where Hockey's Farm was named Sustainability Champion and also received Highly Commended in the Best Supporter of Local Produce category.

Although very different occasions, they celebrated the same values that have shaped Hockey's over the years - quality, community, sustainability and bringing people together through exceptional food.

A Summer Evening Inspired by Persian Cuisine

One of the joys of our Summer Series is that every evening is completely unique. It's an opportunity to experience new flavours, enjoy a relaxed evening with family and friends and see our polytunnel transformed into a truly special dining space.

For Persian Night, our Kitchen Manager, Kerry, created a menu inspired by the vibrant, aromatic flavours of Persian cuisine, carefully balancing fragrant spices, fresh ingredients and generous hospitality.

The centrepiece of the evening was an aromatic chicken tagine, slow-cooked with preserved lemon and olives until beautifully tender. Served with colourful bejewelled rice, finished with flaked almonds and barberries, every plate was packed with layers of flavour that perfectly balanced savoury, citrus and subtle sweetness.

Guests choosing the vegetarian option enjoyed a richly flavoured stuffed aubergine, while every table shared freshly baked Middle Eastern spiced focaccia, perfect for mopping up every last spoonful of the fragrant tagine sauce. To finish, guests enjoyed traditional baklava, with its delicate layers of crisp pastry, nuts and sweet syrup providing the perfect end to a memorable meal.

The menu reflected exactly what our Summer Series is all about, taking inspiration from cuisines around the world while creating a relaxed evening where people can simply enjoy fantastic food together.

Behind Every Great Evening

Events like these don't happen by chance.

Long before guests arrived on Friday evening, Kerry had spent weeks planning the menu, refining recipes and working alongside the kitchen team to prepare every dish with care and attention to detail. Behind every course served was hours of preparation, teamwork and a genuine passion for creating something special.

Our butchery team prepared the quality meat at the heart of the menu, while our front of house team transformed the polytunnel into a welcoming dining space and ensured every guest was looked after throughout the evening.

A huge thank you goes to Kerry and every member of the Hockey's team. Kerry’s creativity, dedication and hard work are what make evenings like these possible, and we're incredibly proud of everything achieved.

If You Missed It…

One of the comments we heard most as guests left was simply, "We wish we'd booked sooner."

That's exactly what makes the Summer Series so special.

Each evening is completely different, with Kerry creating a brand-new menu inspired by cuisines from around the world. Once an evening has sold out, that's it, the menu won't be repeated.

The good news is there is still plenty to look forward to. Over the coming weeks we'll be serving our Texan BBQ Night, Vietnamese Night, Kerry's Fried Chicken Night, Indian Thali Night and Mexican Night, each with its own carefully curated menu and relaxed summer atmosphere.

If you've been thinking about joining us this summer, we'd encourage you to book now, we'd hate for you to miss out again.

Proud to Be Recognised for Sustainability

Before Friday's celebrations, there was another very proud moment for everyone at Hockey's.

At the CLA and New Forest National Park Awards, held during the New Forest and Hampshire County Show, Hockey's Farm was honoured to receive the Sustainability Champion Award, alongside being named Highly Commended in the Best Supporter of Local Produce category.

These awards are particularly meaningful because they recognise something that has been part of Hockey's for many years. Sustainability isn't something we do for recognition – it's part of how we farm, how we care for our animals and land, and how we make decisions for the future.

Over the years we've invested in practical initiatives that make a real difference, from generating renewable energy through more than 200 solar panels and harvesting rainwater for our livestock, to planting thousands of trees and creating habitats that encourage wildlife and pollinators to thrive. We also work hard to reduce waste wherever we can and support local supply chains because we believe producing great food goes hand in hand with caring for the countryside that makes it possible.

Receiving Highly Commended in the Best Supporter of Local Produce category was equally special. Working with local farmers, growers, artisan producers and independent businesses has always been central to Hockey's. Every visit to our Farm Shop helps support not only our family business, but a wider network of local producers who are passionate about quality, provenance and the New Forest.

These awards belong to every member of the Hockey's team. Whether they're working on the farm, in the butchery, the kitchen, the Farmyard Cafe or the shop, everyone plays a part in making Hockey's the business it is today.

Visit Hockey's This Summer

Summer is one of the best times to visit Hockey's Farm Shop in South Gorley.

Meet our friendly animals, enjoy breakfast, brunch or lunch in the Farmyard Cafe, browse our butchery counter for everything you need for the perfect barbecue, discover wonderful local food and gifts in the Farm Shop, or simply enjoy a coffee while taking in the beautiful surroundings of the New Forest.

And if you've yet to experience one of our Summer Series evenings, we'd love to welcome you. Every event offers something different, and if Persian Night proved anything, it's that these evenings are about far more than just the food, they're about sharing an experience you'll remember.

Thank You

Finally, we'd simply like to say thank you.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Persian Night, to everyone who has congratulated us following our success at the CLA and New Forest National Park Awards, and to every customer who continues to support Hockey's throughout the year.

Your support allows us to continue investing in sustainable farming, championing local producers, creating memorable events and welcoming visitors from across the New Forest and beyond.

After such a memorable weekend, we're already looking forward to welcoming you back for the next Summer Series evening.