Walnut Tree on QVC: Behind the Scenes
Great food, passionate producers, live television and a little bit of banter!
Can you taste food through a television screen?
It’s an interesting question, and one I’ve found myself thinking about during our recent appearances on Andi Peters’ Food Fest on QVC.
It’s been an exciting few weeks for Walnut Tree on QVC, sharing some of our favourite artisan food products with viewers across Great Britain. And with several more appearances planned for November, there’s plenty more to look forward to.
One of the real pleasures of being on QVC is working with Andi Peters and Dale Franklin. Both are engaging, enthusiastic and tremendous fun, with plenty of laughter and good-natured banter.
But behind those seemingly effortless conversations lies a surprising amount of preparation, creativity and skill.
Two Hours Before the Cameras Roll
The preparation begins well before the programme goes live.
Guest presenters arrive at the QVC studios two hours before the show, giving everyone time to prepare the products and create the displays.
One of the most impressive aspects of the operation is QVC’s talented team of visual merchandisers. They help transform the product pods — the display areas used during the programme — into beautifully arranged showcases.
And they certainly have plenty to work with!
QVC has an extensive collection of props, from bowls and serving dishes to table runners and decorative accessories. For companies whose products need cooking or preparation, there’s even a fully equipped kitchen available.
The attention to detail is remarkable. Colours, textures, serving suggestions and presentation are carefully considered to make every product look its very best on screen.
I like to bring along a few finishing touches of my own, particularly fresh-cut ivy and flowers, which add a natural feel to our Walnut Tree displays.
Although, with Christmas approaching, I discovered that QVC already had a dedicated Christmas prop box ready and waiting!
It’s a wonderfully creative process, with everyone contributing ideas.
By the time the displays are finished, a tremendous amount of work has already gone into the presentation.
And we haven’t said a single word on television yet!
A High-End Delicatessen for the Whole of Great Britain
The more time I spend at QVC, the more I’ve come to think of Andi Peters’ Food Fest as something rather special.
Imagine a high-end delicatessen, filled with delicious discoveries from independent artisan food producers, opening its doors to the whole of Great Britain.
That’s what the programme feels like.
Each show is carefully curated, bringing together an interesting variety of products and price points. From traditional sweets and indulgent cakes to speciality meats, spices, chocolates and other tempting delicacies, there’s something to suit different tastes and budgets.
What makes the programme particularly appealing is that many of the guests are the business owners themselves.
These are people who have invested their time, energy and enthusiasm in creating something they genuinely believe in.
And behind every product there’s a story.
Sometimes the inspiration comes from customer feedback, perhaps a request for a new flavour or a different combination of ingredients.
Other ideas begin with a memorable holiday, a wonderful meal abroad or the discovery of an unusual food tradition.
Some products emerge through experimentation, trying different recipes and ingredients until everything comes together.
Then there’s nostalgia. The tastes and treats we remember from childhood can inspire products that reconnect us with happy memories.
And, of course, changing consumer preferences and market trends also influence the development of new ideas.
These stories reveal the imagination, determination and occasional happy accidents behind the food we enjoy.
It’s one of the things I particularly appreciate about the programme. Viewers don’t simply discover new products; they get to meet the people behind them and understand what inspired their creation.
Rather like chatting to the owner of a wonderful delicatessen, except the conversation is taking place in homes across the country.
Can You Really Taste Food Through a Television Screen?
Once the cameras start rolling, a different challenge begins.
In a delicatessen, customers can examine the food, appreciate its appearance and perhaps enjoy a sample.
On television, that’s simply not possible.
So we have to bring the experience to life through words.
Is the flavour sweet, tangy, rich or wonderfully fruity? Does it have a satisfying crunch, a soft and chewy centre or a smooth, melt-in-the-mouth texture?
How large is the product? How generous is the portion? What exactly will arrive when the customer opens the box?
But describing the food is only half the challenge.
We also need to help viewers imagine how they might enjoy it.
Could it be served with afternoon tea, offered to guests after dinner or enjoyed as a little treat?
Would it make a thoughtful birthday present, a Christmas gift or something special to keep for yourself?
And if it’s a two-piece set, there’s always the wonderful QVC expression “gift and shift” — keep one and give the other away!
It’s about providing useful information, practical ideas and the confidence to make an informed purchase.
All while the cameras are rolling and the clock is ticking!
The Skill Behind the Banter
This is where Andi and Dale really excel.
They have a remarkable ability to guide guests seamlessly through a presentation, asking precisely the questions viewers at home might be thinking about.
They know when to explore a product’s flavour, when to ask about portion sizes, when to suggest a serving occasion and when to uncover the story behind the business.
And they do it while keeping the conversation relaxed, entertaining and full of personality.
One moment you’re explaining the finer points of a product, and the next you’re laughing at an unexpected comment.
It looks wonderfully spontaneous, but there’s considerable experience and professionalism behind it.
For someone presenting their own products, it’s enormously reassuring to work with hosts who understand both the importance of good information and the value of making the experience enjoyable.
They make a challenging job feel like great fun.
Sharing Our Passion for Walnut Tree
For us at Walnut Tree, appearing on QVC is about much more than showcasing products.
It’s an opportunity to introduce our range to new customers and share our enthusiasm for discovering exceptional food.
Whether it’s indulgent chocolate-covered fruits and nuts, delicious nougat, glacé fruits or our carefully selected gift collections, we want customers to appreciate the flavours, quality and thought behind what we offer.
There’s something particularly rewarding about talking about products you genuinely believe in, especially alongside other passionate independent food producers.
And QVC provides a wonderful stage on which to do just that.
More Delicious Moments Ahead
With several more appearances planned for November, I’m looking forward to returning to the QVC studios, working with the creative team and sharing more Walnut Tree favourites.
With Christmas approaching, it’s also a wonderful opportunity to offer inspiration for festive entertaining, thoughtful gifts and a few well-deserved indulgences.
A big thank you to Andi, Dale and everyone behind the scenes at QVC for making the experience so enjoyable.
And thank you to everyone who has been watching, supporting Walnut Tree and discovering our products through the programme.
The next time you watch Andi Peters’ Food Fest, remember that behind every beautifully presented product there’s a great deal of preparation, a passionate food producer and, almost certainly, a little bit of banter!
See you on QVC in November!
Why Walnut Tree?
Founded in 1997, Walnut Tree is an independent, family-run British business with a passion for discovering exceptional food and presenting it beautifully.
Our carefully selected range includes award-winning nougat, dried and glacé fruits, chocolate-covered fruits and nuts, marzipan and delicious edible gifts.
Our gift boxes and trays are hand-packed in Hertfordshire, with the attention to detail and personal care that have always been central to our business.
We supply customers directly, alongside delicatessens, farm shops, garden centres and prestigious retailers across the country.
Our philosophy is simple: exceptional food, beautifully presented, offering quality, value and the pleasure of giving.
Giving Something Back
At Walnut Tree, we believe that sharing good food and supporting our communities go hand in hand.
We’re particularly proud of our support for Future Dreams, the breast cancer charity providing information, practical help and emotional support to people affected by breast cancer.
Our contributions have included donating dried fruit for care packages, offering a little something enjoyable during difficult times.
We’ve also supported other charitable and community initiatives through food donations, gifts, fundraising prizes and surplus materials for local schools.
For us, giving back isn’t simply about financial contributions. It’s about using the products, resources and opportunities available to our business to make a positive difference.
Because whether we’re creating a thoughtful gift, supporting a worthwhile cause or introducing our products to QVC viewers, one belief remains at the heart of Walnut Tree:
Good food is something to enjoy, celebrate and, whenever possible, share.