HOW I wish I could claim royalties for the time I got roped into filming with Rick Stein for his 'Food Heroes' series - I wouldn't be able to give up the day job but a pound for all the repeats would be a substantial boost to my shoe fund!

In return for tipping Rick off about our wonderful Lyth Valley damson day celebrations I asked for an interview. But the boot was on the other foot when he ended up interviewing me as I guided him around all the wonderful stalls selling every kind of damson delight imaginable.

It goes without saying that damson gin was high on our agenda that day, but I also pointed the celebrated chef in the direction of the delicious damson vinegar made by John and Molly Woods from their own orchards at Bowland Bridge Stores (£2.50 per 300ml bottle, use it in salad dressings, marinades, and glazes).

Damson day is always held in the spring as the blossom bursts forth. Now, as the harvest beckons, everyone's keeping their fingers crossed that rain doesn't stop play.

Weather permitting says Tony Wharton of Greenbanks in Kendal we should be in for a bumper crop and at £1 a pound what a bargain for your jams, jellies, cheese and chutneys (Rick made a damson cobbler with his). But if the fruit is picked wet then it will rot.

But let's look on the bright side ... checkout Lizzie Smith's website (she of 'Damson Gem' and Frutta Cotta fame) for a delicious recipe for smoked venison and Frutta Cotta devised by Lakeland chef Duncan Collinge which uses damson gin in the dressing (www.fruttacotta.co.uk).

I reckon Witherslack's Moss Howe Farm extra fruit damson jelly and jam (Artisan, Kendal) would be good on Grange Bakery's organic pumpkin wholemeal loaf (£1.35 each).

And I would hazard a guess that a really good damson chutney would be especially good alongside some Cumbrian smoked cheddar cheese (Hutcinsons, Coniston, £2.42 per 250g), or served with some roast Holker Hall venison now on sale at Plumgarths, Kendal (various cuts, steaks, joints, diced, from £4.50 / 500g).

Why not try livening up a home-made beefburger with a spoonful or two of damson chutney (Richardsons butchers, Bowness, buy 1.5 kilos minced steak get 500g free).

Serve your burger with some freaky looking but fab tasting spiky green romanesco cauliflower from Growing with Grace at Clapham (£1.61 per half kilo), which also has own-crop aubergines on this week at £3.72 per half kilo.

Try dicing aubergine, topping it with a dollop of tomato puree and mixed herbs, pouring over some Yorkshire pudding mix and baking in the oven for about half an hour - makes a great veggie alternative to roast beef!

Or, you could top your sliced aubergine with some Hawkshead goats cheese from Keen Ground Farm (Cartmel Village Shop, £1.98 / 100g) and grilling it - or serve in a simple salad for a tasty light summer dish, says shop manager Lynne Unsworth.

Last but not least this week, you must try the latest addition to Sedbergh butcher Garth Steadman's scrummy range of pies - his new steak, ale and Stilon pie comes in a shortcrust pastry case with a flaky pastry top and uses lean, tender local beef (£1.30 each).

Dare I say ... it might be good with some damson chutney on the side!