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Sophie Grigson: Exploding Tomatoes and Other Stories

Having moved to a small town in Puglia over two years ago – a place she now calls home – Sophie Grigson felt ready for another adventure…

This event finished on Saturday 07 June 2025

Genre: Food, Lifestyle and Travel

Location: Spiegeltent

Age Recommendation: Suitable for all ages

Duration: 60 Minutes

Sophie Grigson, a woman in a pink smock dress is holding a plate of meatballs stading outside. Sht has short bolnde hair and wears glasses

More About This Event

Sophie Grigson: Exploding Tomatoes and Other Stories

Driving along the coastal ‘instep’ of southern Italy, Sophie Grigson travels between little fishing ports and explores the beaches of Puglia’s west coast, then heads into the wild hills of Basilicata and Calabria’s high Sila, famed for its chestnuts and mushrooms. Her journey ends in the bergamot orchards clustering around Reggio.

Charting the local delicacies, ingredients and producers, through recipes and stories, let Sophie immerse you in the beauty, culture, food and characters of southern Italy. Interviewed by Louise Beale, Sophie shares traditional recipes from the different regions she has explored. From Puglian Beans in Red Wine Tomato Sauce to Calabrian-style Cheesy Stuffed Aubergines and from Super Speedy Lemon Ice Cream to Chocolate and Almond Biscuits, discover the flavours of southern Italy with Sophie.

 

Italian cobbled street with the text 'Sophie Grigson: Exploding Tomatoes and Other Stories'

Nevill Holt Festival

The festival will continue to present a varied and rich programme of events in addition to opera that includes a wide range of talks and ‘in conversation’ events on visual art, culture, history, politics, wellbeing, sport and design as well as jazz, classical and world music performances, family events and comedy. See the full programme here. 

With panoramic views that look out over three counties, performance venues include the estate’s medieval chapel and award-winning theatre, with idyllic gardens designed by Chelsea gold medal winner, Rupert Golby. Festival-goers can enjoy outstanding pieces of modern British sculpture throughout the gardens, including works by Antony Gormley, Rachel Whiteread, Allen Jones and Marc Quinn