Strawberry Field featured on Great British Menu

On Tuesday night, Strawberry Field was featured on BBC Two's Great British Menu thanks to contestant chef Livia Alarcon. Liv wanted to create a dessert inspired by Strawberry Field and John Lennon, so she visited us during filming to soak in the atmosphere and speak with our Mission Director Major Kathy Versfeld. We were honoured to give Livia a tour of the grounds and tell her the history of the former Salvation Army children's home and why it was so special to John Lennon.

Livia created a dessert called Strawberry Fields Forever and drew inspiration from our garden. She told the judges, "The inspiration is John Lennon and the Salvation Army. I'm going to have an edible garden, with a panna cotta base, strawberry and champagne jelly, I'm going to recreate the grass with biscuit and dehydrated basil, as well as a ganache turned into a mousse, which will be sprayed to look strawberry."

Major Kathy Verself commented, “We were delighted that Livia was inspired by John Lennon to create her ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ dessert for the Great British Menu. It was a pleasure to welcome her to Strawberry Field to show her our exhibition and the gardens where John Lennon once found sanctuary and inspiration. During her visit, Livia was interested to hear how The Salvation Army continues to support young people with barriers to employment today through our onsite Steps at Strawberry Field programmes which help young people to build a better future. We wish Livia every success and can’t wait to see what the future holds for her.”

Everyone at Strawberry Field is so proud of Livia and this fabulous achievement. She did the city proud and we are honoured that see drew inspiration from Strawberry Field.