Supplier spotlight: a visit to Sutton Hoo Chicken - where high-welfare farming creates exceptional flavour
On a sunny June morning, our team traded laptops for wellies and boarded a train from Liverpool Street to the Suffolk village of Melton. The purpose: a long-anticipated visit to Sutton Hoo Chicken, the farm behind the high-welfare, ethically raised chickens we’re proud to serve at Jimmy Garcia Catering.
We were met by Josie and Will, whose welcome was as genuine as their passion for what they do. As they guided us through the farm, it quickly became clear why Sutton Hoo is so highly regarded.
Their chickens live in small flocks with constant access to 40 acres of open Suffolk countryside. Moveable sheds provide shelter while allowing the birds to roam freely, forage, perch, and exhibit natural behaviours. Seeing the space, care, and attention given to every part of the process was both impressive and reassuring.
This is farming done right: responsible, transparent, and focused on animal welfare from the ground up.
Unlike standard poultry farming, the ethos here is about giving the birds time to grow, to forage and to live well. Sutton Hoo chickens are slow-grown: they live 25% longer than standard free-range and a whopping 70% longer than conventional indoor chickens. They’re a hardy, old-fashioned breed that matures naturally, the way nature intended.
The grassland they forage on is lush and alive, full of native plants and wildflowers. Because the sheds are moveable, the land is rested and regenerated, allowing not just chickens, but bees, insects, and other birds to thrive. It’s a brilliant example of how farming and biodiversity can go hand in hand.
Inside the sheds, everything is done with the utmost care. The chickens are fed and bedded by hand, enjoy natural ventilation and light, and are completely antibiotic-free. There’s no artificial lighting or machinery noise, just peaceful surroundings that encourage natural behaviour and support healthy circadian rhythms.
As Will Waterer, General Manager, told us:
"Providing the right environment for the chickens to behave naturally and mature slowly is key."
And the result? The best-tasting chicken you can get. The combination of longer lives, more exercise, a varied natural diet, and low-stress living makes for incredibly flavourful, tender meat that we’re proud to showcase in our menus.
Visiting Sutton Hoo was a reminder of why we do what we do: championing ingredients with a story, with soul, and with sustainability at their core.
It’s clear Sutton Hoo isn’t winging it, this is thoughtful, ethical farming at its finest.
Sous vide Sutton Hoo chicken supreme
With spiced pomme mousseline and a chickpea & black cardamom brown butter dressing, served alongside a confit chicken parcel and soused carrots.
At Jimmy Garcia Catering, we pride ourselves on using ethical, environmentally conscious ingredients - and celebrating the best of local produce. This dish, featuring the gorgeous free-range Sutton Hoo chicken, is a standout from our Spring/Summer 25 menu.
31st August 2025