Covent Garden is buzzing: The Yards launches dishes with honey from rooftop beehives

A shopping and dining neighbourhood in Covent Garden is using the honey from its rooftop beehives to create dishes and drinks at some of its eateries this week.

The Yards has collaborated with Dishoom, Fair Shot and Dalla Terra on the launch of its homemade honey.

Approximately 240,000 honeybees are kept on the roof of St Martin’s Courtyard.

Joelle Fry, marketing manager at The Yards, said: “We believe in offering our visitors more than just a place to shop and dine; we aim to provide a truly immersive and sustainable experience and our rooftop honey, harvested from our own bees, adds the perfect touch of sweetness to our offerings.”

The Indian restaurant Dishoom will be adding the honey to its house granola, which is made using toasted nuts, oats, seeds and cinnamon. It will be served with fresh seasonal fruits and vanilla yoghurt.

Dalla Terra, an Italian wine bar and restaurant, is including the honey on its artisan cheeseboard. The fine Italian cheese selection is from London’s Borough Market and includes a 24-month-aged parmigiano reggiano, blue cheese, toma, and a truffle cheese made with cow’s milk.

Fair Shot, a social enterprise cafe which helps young adults with learning disabilities find hospitality work, has used the local honey in its almond cake and fresh mint tea.

The honey was harvested from the rooftop of St Martin’s Courtyard in July.

The Yards beekeeper Paul Youthed said: “The honey reflects the bee colony’s local flora and foraging habits, contributing to its unique flavour and characteristics. Each year, we are excited to engage in the process of harvesting our locally sourced Yards honey, a tradition that allows us to appreciate the natural diversity of our surroundings and the unique flavours it imparts to our honey."

The Yards' honey is available in dishes at Dishoom, Dalla Terra and Fair Shot until Sunday October 15.