Wild Shropshire at The Big Event with Hands Together Ludlow

On Friday 13th September, Wild Shropshire joined forces with Hands Together Ludlow for The Big Event - a night that celebrated food, community, and collaboration inside the beautiful St Laurence’s Church.

Chef James Sherwin created a three-course banquet crafted from surplus and seasonal ingredients, supported by a team of volunteers who helped with everything from prep in the kitchen to front-of-house service. The menu was kept secret until the day itself, with James only learning what surplus would be available that morning – apart from the venison, which was delivered the day before. The dishes were prepped at the Hands Together Ludlow kitchen, then cooked and served in the church, transformed for the night into a unique dining hall.

The evening’s menu featured:

• Starter: Leek, buttermilk, wild garlic

• Main: Venison loin, venison pressing, fig, with salads of carrot & salsa verde, panzanella, and roast beetroot with chilli & maple

• Dessert: Damson, milk, burnt white chocolate

Guests then took part in an exclusive charity auction, helping to raise vital funds to support Hands Together Ludlow’s incredible community work.

It was a memorable night – not just for the food, but for the spirit of collaboration that brought it all together. Huge thanks go to the volunteers who supported every step of the event, and to everyone who joined us to celebrate the power of food to bring people together.