Earth to Oven
11.3 miles from Hedge End
WHO ARE WE?
At Earth to Oven, our focus is on making delicious food with an ethical and sustainable approach that celebrates local, seasonal produce. We want to make a positive impact through food.
We offer catering for all occasions, from corporate events to weddings, and specialise in streetfood and informal, laid back dining.
WHY LOCAL?
Staying local enables us to source our produce with complete transparency. In other words, we know exactly where the produce comes from and what it’s been through to get to us. Working with local farmers and purveyors means our whole supply chain is shorter and gives us the opportunity to stay well connected with its origins. Particularly important to us when it comes to using ethical meat and dairy.
Staying local also means we are supporting smaller, independent businesses with a true passion for their craft/product.
WHY SEASONAL?
Seasonal represents plenty of advantages for us. Not only does it help us to use produce at the height of its quality and, therefore, the height of its deliciousness, but it also means that we are using produce that is grown within its season and, therefore, without the need for genetic modification and harsh sprays which kill biodiversity. It represents a decision to prioritise our environment and soils, and cook with the freshest and most delicious produce available throughout the year. There is something special about asparagus in spring or a strawberry in summer.
OUR JOURNEY
Earth to Oven was founded by Alfie in 2020. After cheffing for most of his life and, most notably, working in high end kitchens in London and Bristol, when Alfie was furloughed during lockdown, not cooking wasn’t an option. It started with sourdough bread for neighbours which soon evolved into a lockdown meal delivery service and then an ambition to create high end street food that prioritised local seasonal produce and careful preparation. He decided on a recognisable corrugated iron, shepherds hut trailer and Earth to Oven would serve loaded flatbreads with a focus on local, seasonal produce.
It hasn’t all been straight forward, though. The trailer’s first outing ended in a disastrous crash on the way to Portsmouth. It was a devastating moment for ETO but also a lesson in the resilience of community and a crowd funding campaign enabled Alfie to pay for the repairs, which included re-attaching the roof! We couldn’t be more grateful for the support we received during this time and it’s hard to imagine how ETO would have come through without it.
Joey’s introduction in 2022 came at a perfect time. She brought a wealth of knowledge with her. From working in some of Melbourne’s best coffee shops to managing pubs and establishing a coffee shop in London, Joey has been in the catering industry her whole life. Now, at ETO, she is managing director and head of coffee, and has been a significant part of ETO’s growth from 2022 onwards.
OUR FUTURE
As we continue on our culinary adventures we remain dedicated to creating innovative menus and great experiences through delicious food. All whilst supporting a food system which does not produce unnecessary waste and prioritises ethical farming with biodiversity at its heart.
