Emma Walker

I run and manage a private hunting yard. I have sole responsibility of the horses care and welfare, exercise and fitness, and keep the yard immaculate at all times.

I worked as part of a team looking after the gardens of a large private estate in the Coln Valley. The extensive grounds included formal gardens, large borders, shrubberies, managed woodland and copses, walled gardens and greenhouses. I was involved in all aspects of garden maintenance from weeding and pruning to planting and hedge cutting. During this period I achieved my PA1 and PA6 certificates for safe handling and application of chemicals and also the certificate for chainsaw maintenance and cross-cutting.

A love of cooking (and food!) drove my ambition to start my own catering company. I am self taught but my up bringing of large family lunches and parties helped enormously in not being daunted by the prospect of catering for large numbers of guests. In the main I catered private dinner parties and weddings where I would create bespoke menus for the client, provide waiting and kitchen staff, and oversee the running of large functions. I also looked after the catering for the shoot at Williamstrip Estate for over 15 years. In this role I was not only the chef but also acted as ‘front of house’ , welcoming guests to the shoot lodge and chatting them through the running of day.