THIS Saturday sees Wil’s Smokehouse at the market, and for those interested in the processes of smoking food, he has written a booklet, Wil’s Food Smokers Journal.

The booklet gives an easy-to-read understanding of building a smokehouse, curing food before smoking, different ways of smoking food, and fuel for smoking food – plus a lot more.

Wil will also have his great range of organic smoked nuts and seeds, smoky sea salt and peppercorns, and smoked paprika.

Stroud soap maker Cotswold Handmade Soap will also return for its monthly stall this week.

This business was established in 2010 and has become a thriving cottage industry selling at farmers markets, shows and craft fairs as well as through a variety of farm shops and gift shops.

Its most popular soap is goat’s milk, oatmeal and orange soap which is very good for dry skin. This soap has proved so popular that an internet shop was created so customers could buy it any time. All soaps are made from vegetable oils, give a good lather and do not break up like many vegetable-based soaps. No artificial colourings or preservatives are added.

Each soap is hand cut, packed and labelled and not tested on animals.

There is a wide variety of carnivorous fayre this week too: Frocester fayre, pork, beef and lamb; Stowe Herd pork; Hinton Marsh farm, pork, beef, lamb and poultry; Donnington Trout Farm, trout and smoked fish; Madgett’s Farm, poultry and game; Cullimore’s organic beef, lamb; Trealy Farm Charcuterie; Adey’s farm organic pork, beef and lamb.

It’s a fabulous amount of choice and I know that many of you have your favourites that you return to regularly and always buy from.

Well this week I’m challenging you all to try something different to your usual.

Talking of trying something unusual, we all have the opportunity to try turkey eggs too this Saturday as Phoenix free range will be at market.

Surprisingly, a turkey’s egg is similar in size to a chicken’s egg, albeit a big one, and they have an interesting shell colouring.