Toby Neal, Head Chef, The Farmers Arms.
Meat and butchery are important to Toby, who comes from a family of butchers. Working in collaboration with Head Gardener Josh Sparkes and Livestock Manager Chris Jenn, Toby takes inspiration from Birch Farm when planning the menu and using seasonal ingredients, he also forages form the local Devon landscape.
Based in the village of Woolsery in North Devon, The Collective comprises an award winning pub - The Farmers Arms, a fish and chip shop, a traditional post office and 150 acre Birch Farm which supplies produce to the other businesses. The Collective is the creation of tech entrepreneurs Michael and Xochi Birch who have family connections with the area. The Collective has revived the village in recent years, regenerating the once derelict pub and keeping the shop open as well as training and employing local people.