Woodbridge Deli owner David Gitsham shares his expertise on the deli’s world famous pies, charcuterie, cheese and fine wine.
Tucked away in a small road just off the Woodbridge thoroughfare, Woodbridge Deli is a foodie’s Aladdin’s cave.
Best known for its world famous pies, as well as its authentic charcuterie, cheese and fine wine, the deli is owned and run by David Gitsham, and has been since he renovated and reopened the deli at the start of December 2015.
With over six years of involvement in deli businesses, including previously running the farm shop and Adnams wine cellar at Jimmy’s Farm, David is a specialist in the industry. He has excellent knowledge of every product he sells and over the past two years has allowed Woodbridge Deli to grow from strength to strength.
“Whenever you walk past the deli the smell of the oven is always a great temptation because everything we make ourselves is cooked on site,” says David. “One of the most important factors for myself when taking over the business was to continue cooking the pies daily as they have been for the past 12 years. You won’t find them anywhere else and they have become a bit of an institution.”
The selection of world famous pies includes pork, pork and stilton, pork and caramelised onion, pork and game, and chicken and ham, each containing 1lb of meat.
When asked about his favourite, David said: “All of them - although the chicken and ham pies are incredible. When you cut through the pastry, you’re faced with beautifully thick chicken breast and ham hock.”
The deli has also recently added some smaller pies to its counter from Brays, for those wanting something a little smaller. However, it is not all about pies.
David adds: “Although we support many local producers, we also stock the finest world foods. There is nothing in the deli I haven’t tried myself. I’ve travelled far and wide to taste and sample the foods before stocking them in the deli.
“Our ethos is to ensure anything we sell comes from exactly where it is meant to, whether that’s Saucisson being imported from Leon, France or Panforte from Siena in Italy.”
Just as David has sampled the products before they reach the shelves, customers are always welcome to come and taste the many cheeses and cured meats on sale. In the cheese counter there will always be approximately 30 different types at any one time, with seven or eight of these being made with goats or ewes milk.
“Whether they want just a shaving of parmesan or the whole wheel of cheese, customers can buy as much or as little as they want too.”
Woodbridge Deli also sells a range of other products including freshly baked sausage rolls, pasties, paninis and cannolis, and is happy to accommodate larger orders for special occasions, parties or weddings.
For more information or to place an order, visit the deli which is situated at 2A New Street, Woodbridge, IP12 1DT. Alternatively, call 01394 386620 or email orders@woodbridgedeli.co.uk
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