Janet Sawyer MBE BEM, the Managing Director and founder of LittlePod, is preparing to showcase her latest book at a vanilla-themed dinner and UK launch event at Darts Farm in Devon this summer. Real Vanilla: Nature’s Unsung Hero is due to be published in June and, having just returned from a European launch, book reading and talk in Berlin, Janet is looking forward to introducing her most recent work to an audience rather closer to home.
For the last 15 years, Janet has spearheaded LittlePod’s Campaign for Real Vanilla, encouraging home bakers, professional chefs and food manufacturers to use real and natural ingredients, whilst supporting farming communities across the Equatorial Belt.
Having enjoyed a long partnership with Darts Farm, the award-winning Farm Table in Topsham was the obvious choice for a launch event that is sure to prove popular. “Our responsibly-sourced ingredients have been sold from the same barrel at Darts Farm’s Food Hall for 15 years and so it’s the perfect place to launch a book telling The Rather Large Story of LittlePod,” said Janet who, since founding LittlePod in 2010, has seen the East Devon-based company win the Queen’s Award and King’s Award for Enterprise, both in the Sustainable Development category.
“LittlePod is a global company, doing business both at home and abroad. Having long exported our products, we have never lost touch with our friends in Europe and it was a great pleasure to take this book to Berlin. Having launched Real Vanilla: Nature’s Unsung Hero in Germany, we are delighted to be holding this event here in Devon. The team at Darts Farm have always been wonderful advocates for LittlePod and our campaign, and this event on 2nd July will be a true celebration of REAL vanilla.”
Taking place at The Farm Table – named the Best Farm Restaurant 2025 at the recent Farm Restaurant Awards – the UK launch event will feature a delicious four-course dinner prepared by head chef Tom Chivers using natural ingredients from the LittlePod range, and a fascinating talk from Janet. There will also be a question and answer session, and copies of Janet’s new book will be available to buy.
“At a time of societal upheaval around the world, the story of LittlePod reminds us of our interconnectedness and the need to co-operate with trust and patience to save our precious environment,” added Janet. “This book tells the story of how I put my hand up to do my bit, launching LittlePod to educate and enlighten people about the value of vanilla and its importance to the planet. We are so grateful to everyone who has supported LittlePod – not least the team at Darts Farm, who have done a fantastic job in helping us to spread our message. We look forward to our dinner event and to raising a toast to you all this summer!”
Tickets for Darts Farm’s vanilla-themed dinner and book launch, which will take place from 7pm on Wednesday, 2nd July, are available online here. Including a welcome drink, Vanilla and Wild Mushroom Arancini, Baked Sole with Vanilla Sauce, Lemon and Vanilla-stuffed Chicken Breast and LittlePod Tiramisu. A vegetarian option will be available.
Due to be published on June 10th, Real Vanilla: Nature’s Unsung Hero is available to pre-order from Amazon and other online retailers. For more information, please visit www.littlepod.co.uk, email Paul at media@littlepod.co.uk or telephone 01395 232022.
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