Pre-heat oven to 200c

1. For the bread sauce, put 25g of butter, the onion, bay leaf and clove in a saucepan and cook slowly until the onion is soft. Add the breadcrumbs and milk. Slowly bring to simmer, season well with salt, pepper and a pinch of nutmeg. Cover the sauce with greaseproof paper, cook very slowly until thick.

2. Rub the partridge with butter and season. Place the thyme and bay leaf into each cavity of the birds. Put on a baking tray, cook for 18 mins in a pre-heated oven. Baste the partridge during cooking to prevent them drying out. Remove from the oven and leave to rest for 15 mins.

3. While the partridges are cooking, finely slice the cabbage leaves. Chop the chestnuts and squash the juniper berries. In a frying pan heat the bacon until brown then add the juniper, butter and cabbage. Add a splash of water to steam, season and leave the cabbage to wilt. Finally add the chestnuts.

4. For the game chips, peel and thinly slice the potatoes. Half fill a pan with oil and heat. Fry the chips in batches and lay on to absorbent paper to drain excess fat. Cook until golden brown.

5. To serve, place a spoon full of the cabbage on the plate, and place the partridge on top, lay on a few game chips and a portion of bread sauce.

GARNISH WITH WATERCRESS AND REDCURRANT JELLY