Avatar

Clyde Warwick Potter

R.I.P

1950 - 2022

Buying a house in Pōrangahau with 3 acres of land that he was going to start his life outside the covid restrictions that this country was put into by our 2020 government.

Making his land self-contained he would start his adventure in a life he was looking for.

Clyde had many followers that shared the same path, but was ridiculed at times about his beliefs even from his family, but this never stopped him from doing what he believes in and believe he did.

With so much doubt about the way the country and the world were heading, He endeavoured to ensure himself and his friends that we were going to go into another mini–Ice Age.

He believed this very strongly as time show the signs in which we were heading into, reading all the facts from sources that he believed to be true, and seeing from his own eyes, woke up a dream that he was going to pursue. But unfortunately, this was never going to happen.

Clyde’s life was taken suddenly on the 1st of Jan 2022, trapped inside a car that he had brought to start his retirement. This car was sold to him with a faulty battery that took his life.  

I know you are in a place that is right up your alley!

Rest in peace my friend, I Miss you.

AJ


In 1995, Clyde purchased 2 hectares of land on the outskirts of Hastings which formed the centre of my, then, new business, Epicurean Supplies. In addition I also leased some adjoining land, making a total of about 20 hectares and started growing herbs for restaurants. From an early age my two passions have been piano and horticulture – as a child I made my own compost and had a vegetable garden, which I was known to tend rather than go to school. My first career was as a classical pianist – both playing and teaching – while I still love to play, it is growing and organics which, for the last 20 years or so, has been the focus of my life. My second career started in the mid-1980’s when I become the gardener at Weleda where I was responsible for growing and caring for a range of medical plants that are used to make the Weleda range of natural, organic products and medicines. At Weleda the biodynamic principals of Rudolf Steiner are used and it was here that I pursued my lifelong passion for growing following organic principals and took it beyond the domestic garden. While at Weleda I also started growing vegetables along the same principals and following an enquiry from a Napier chef who was looking for a supply of fresh herbs, herbs also. One enquiry lead to another and before long it was time for me to take the next step of starting my own business. As the business grew, I started growing some less common vegetables, celeriac and cavolo nero were two early successes. Today, The Chef’s Garden @ Epicurean grows over a 100 different crops throughout the year, from micro-greens to cavolo nero, and supplies restaurants, supermarkets, organic food stores, food processors, caterers and home cooks. While we are not a certified organic grower, The Chef’s Garden @ Epicurean and I personally have a serious commitment to organics and believe passionately that you must work with nature not against it. At any one time The Chef’s Garden @ Epicurean employs 15-20 people. This is made up of a small core staff which is supplemented by Wwoofers (Willing Workers on Organic Farms). A number of years ago we joined the Wwoofer program. This worldwide volunteer program gives travellers (generally young people) the opportunity to work and experience life on organic farms. Some Wwoofers stay for a few weeks, others a few months and I like to think Wwoofers leave with a deeper understanding of what’s involved with organics so they can have an appreciation of where our food comes from. People who have lived here often say that this experience has been a life changing one. This is a little of my story and that of The Chef’s Garden @ Epicurean, if you would like to visit us you are more than welcome and we would love to give you a guided tour of the garden. It is always good to be able to share our enthusiasm for what we do with others. CLYDE POTTER HONORED WITH LIFE MEMBERSHIP At the Hawkes Bay Farmer’s Market AGM in June 2019, Clyde Potter, owner of Epicurean Supplies, was awarded Life membership of the Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Market Inc. in recognition of his expertise, dedication, passion and long term comitment to the Market. Chairman Mal McLennan presented the award and noted Clyde’s long service to the Market… “Clyde along with his business Epicurean Supplies attended the market on Day 1 the 29th Oct 2000 and have been attending nonstop ever since. That is 864 markets. Only 6 Sundays off in 19 years for Xmas and New Year’s days during that period. In that time Clyde has demonstrated a persistence and a resilience to the constant changes that are common in our industry. He has maintained his operating standards that are second to none and has created a business model that suits the Farmers Market operating environment as well as customers needs. His dedication to the standards he demands probably come quite easy to someone like Clyde because they are part pf his DNA and are a natural extension of who he is. He does not run his business along the organic or bio dynamic principals because it is trendy or because he can make a larger profit or because his customers ask it – he does it because deep down at the core of his being, it is who he is”. Congratulations Clyde, the first member to be inaugurated as an Honorary Life Member and thank you for nineteen years of commitment to the Market!


Epicurean Supplies Ltd ( Founder) 1995 - 2022 |