pick more daisies - commendations

Pick More Daisies owner Linda Tazzyman has brought together a great team, combining their experience and expertise to bring you Wimborne's newest restaurant.

Reproduced below are recent reviews, published in the Stour and Avon Magazine.

RESTAURANT REVIEW 2008

"IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER I WOULD "PICK MORE DAISIES"

Such are the words of the poem 'Pick More Daisies' that inspired proprietor Linda Tazzyman to follow her heart, pursue her dream and open her restaurant.

Linda has had a somewhat diverse journey in her career. From advisor at the Home Office, to HR Manager for Dorset Probation Service and finally to Restaurateur - it would be fair to say she is a lady who is already picking more daisies!

Just four weeks after opening, this gorgeous restaurant tucked away in the back streets of Wimborne is regularly full to capacity by customers eager to discover the wonderful atmosphere and excellent food that awaits them. Linda strives to source her ingredients locally. The free-range chicken, milk and bread come from Honeybrook Farm, while the fish is supplied by John the Fish.

Linda is a life-long vegetarian and with the help of her chef Jules, ensures that there is a wide range of vegetarian choices on the menu. If you are looking for a healthy, nourishing and delicious food that isn't going to break the bank, then you need look no further. Come and discover this little gem at No 11 Leigh Road, Wimborne Tel: 01202 887557.

Jules Stringer has been around the ‘global’ block a fewtimes. She has cooked on yachts in Australia, run a restaurant in Guatemala, been a head chef in the Alps, ran cookery classes in South Africa, and had her own café/catering business in Perth, Australia.  Back in England, she has been catering for many years (some of you may remember ‘Possums’ in Wimborne some 18 years ago), she’s run her own catering businesses, cooked for many years at Gaunts House and has also cooked for the rich and famous, including world class golfers, actors & musicians and one or two members of the Royal family!

For many years Jules wanted to open a restaurant in Wimborne, but the right place never materialised.  She was delighted when Linda approached her  to come on board as Head Cook and Catering Manager in her new restaurant.

 “It just seemed such a great opportunity to fulfil my dream, create a great menu and cook healthy wholesome food.  At Pick More Daisies you will find dishes of the day, stunning soups, fabulous fish pie, thai curries, gourmet sandwiches and wraps, a healthy salad bar, & freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices."

"Stour and Avon Magazine", 28 November 2008

RESTAURANT REVIEW 2009

My first attempt to have lunch at Pick More Daisies restaurant in Wimborne failed because the roads were clogged up with snow. I made it the second time but arrived wet and miserable. A little TLC was needed and as soon as I opened the door my day immediately brightened up. The warm welcome, beautiful aroma and comfortable surrounds made me feel at home and I instantly relaxed. The same was true for my friend who arrived damp and dressed for storms, but was soon smiling and agreeing with me that the atmosphere made the journey worthwhile.

And when we were served our beautifully presented food - the experience got even better. Faced with a wide choice of what proprietor Linda Tazzyman describes as "wholesome, homemade, whole food", we did find it difficult to decide what to try. My friend eventually chose celeriac and stilton soup which was accompanied by croutons and bread from Honeybrook Farm. Rather a soup connoisseur, she found this absolutley delicious. I threw a challenge out to chef Jules Stringer. As I am lactose and garlic intolerant, eating out can be tricky and I asked for her suggestions. Admittedly there was plenty on the menu - wraps, sandwiches and salads which I could have chosen, but with Jules' worldwide reputation - having cooked for the rich and famous, even Royals - I wanted to try something different. Roasted vegetables and free range chicken quickly arrived at the table. To say the chicken melted in my mouth may sound cliched - but it did. And the vegetables were enough to turn a meat eater vegetarian. I also had a freshly sqeezed juice, made from apples, orange and carrot - delicious and very filling. Apparently my needs were quite easy to cater for and Jules is happy to help customers with any dietary needs to find a meal they will enjoy.

I'm afraid neither of us managed to find room for a desert despite the array of delicious cakes and sweet treats.
It's not just the food that makes the restaurant excellent. Red hearts are everywhere at Pick More Daisies, in the decor, cups and plates. Even cakes are heart shaped. The other little touches like newspapers and a toy box for younger guests make you feel even more welcome.

A special Valentines Day menu for Saturday night has gone down a storm. If you're lucky you may get a table. From this week Linda and Jules are continuing their trend of trying something new - tapas' evenings are being held on Thursday and Friday evenings.

I will be returning with more friends. There's so much more on the food menu I want to try along with the selection of coffee and speciality teas. I'm intrigued to see what chocolate flake and popcorn teas taste like.

Liz Turner. Stour and Avon Magazine. 13 February 2009

Article reproduced by kind permission of the Stour and Avon Magazine.