SEVERAL members of CLEO (Cheriton Ladies Evening Organisation) visited the Baobab Café in Market Street, Crediton, after opening hours for a talk and food tasting evening.

Proprietor, Eran welcomed us, whilst mixing a huge bowl of fresh vegetables. Eran was born in Jerusalem of Yemeni and Egyptian parents, so had a multicultural background in cookery.

When he came to England and was working at Lambeth Palace in London, he got to know workers at the Chelsea Physic Garden, and was horrified at the percentage of fruit and vegetables which are imported to a country where we can grow many of our own ingredients, in season.

When he opened his café in Market Street, he looked for local ingredients: butternut squash; carrots; courgettes and used herbs and fresh lemon to season it.

The café is dedicated to offering delicious, nutritious food for children and adults, and to bringing families together to explore, enjoy and play, and there are children’s books, toys and furniture available.

Eran gave us many tips on preparing food, and at the end of the evening, we were all given a bowl of spirallised vegetables to enjoy - some of the ladies having seconds!

CLEO’s next meeting will be a talk by Liz Brookes-Hocking on her recent trip to Palestine at 7.30pm on Wednesday, June 7 in Cheriton Fitzpaine Methodist Hall.

On July 12 there will be a trip to the Mythic Garden near Chagford, followed by a pub supper.

Mary Nunn