Food and Drink
Yorkshire is the largest county in England; it has diverse countryside and farming environments and provides a rich array of the highest quality produce. Much of this produce is unseen by the general public and never reaches the supermarkets.
The farming industry in the UK has encountered some difficulties these past years, so in order to preserve their way of life, each year more and more rural farmers diversify their trade, and with concerns about the environment in the press every day, what better way to minimise worries than buying direct from the producer? The produce will be fresh, having not been to a regional distribution centre and stored for days and by buying direct you establish a relationship with the producer, which will be rewarding for both parties. Products that you could not previously obtain become available to you and the profitability of the goods is transferred direct to the producer, helping in some small way to sustain the British farming industry.
Within ten minutes of leaving York city centre you can be in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside which means it is unsurprising that there are a multitude of farmers in the area willing to diversify. From the largest maize maze to luxury puddings, you can buy their wares at local Farmers Markets, or online or direct from farm shops. Farm shopping is a different experience to any other form of retailing. It is not like a supermarket or corner shop. Most of what is sold will be grown on the site, harvested daily, and sold in the freshest condition. Everything will follow the seasons.
Yorkshire Producers
Bob Hirst, Yorkshire Honey
Bishopthorpe, York - Bob Hirst produce honeybee products in their own apiary. Their hives are distributed in the local countryside to gather nectar from both the agricultural crops and the wild flowers that abound in the vale of York. All products are taken from the hives – extracted from the comb, filtered and bottled or stored in 32lb buckets until required for sale at the local farmers markets. Nothing is added or taken away from the honey, so ensuring a top quality product with all the goodness of nature sealed in. Tel: 01904 706111, email: pamandbob@btinternet.com
Bridge Rolls
Stamford Bridge, York - Bridge Rolls produce handmade cakes, all individually designed, celebration cakes, chocolate wedding cakes and very unusual artistically designed chocolate cakes with a difference. Cakes are tailor-made for each customer; all cakes are handmade, and individually decorated with innovative designs. Their Sofa Supper range is a ready-made meal that is cooked using locally grown Yorkshire meat and vegetables designed for the busy customer. They are made fresh twice a week and packaged ready for the oven or microwave. Tel: 01759 373303, email: tasken@Stamford.a-I-s.co.uk
Cryer & Stott Cheesemongers, Ltd.
Castleford, West Yorkshire - Specialists in Yorkshire Cheeses, Mr Holmes’s Pomfrit-liquorice cheese and Ruby Gold, the world’s first Rhubarb Cheese. Operating from market units, Cryer & Stott take pride in only stocking the best quality produce, as well as local cheeses and meats. They also import the finest charcuterie direct from Spain and Italy. Their retail shops can be found in Wakefield, Pontefract and Castleford market halls, as well as in farmers markets across the country. Tel: 01924 372757, email: info@cryerandstott.co.uk website: www.cryerandstott.co.uk
Highgate Farm Meats
Balne, near Goole, East Yorkshire - The Highgate family has farmed in Yorkshire for over four generations, producing livestock and arable crops. Their farm is accredited by ACCS beef & lamb, which means it is independently inspected annually. Their cattle are reared to the highest standards of production and welfare; their livestock graze local pastures from spring to autumn and are fed a home-grown diet of non-genetically modified feed, for full traceability and flavour. The finished cattle are then left to mature for a fortnight before being prepared in their meat preparation room, which complies with local environmental health standards. The different joints and cuts are then individually packed and clearly labelled. Tel: 01405 861929.
J A Mounfield & Son
White House, Bubwith, North Yorkshire - This family business is over 100 years old and this is their fifth generation. All their stock is bought locally and slaughtered in their own abattoir. They sell good local meat and pork pies are their speciality. They are supreme Yorkshire champions, area winners, various awards with sausages made on the premises. They supply daily to local shops. Tel: 01727 288 339.
J H & M Burton
Manor House Farm, Wilberfoss, East Yorkshire - “Straight from our field to your plate” – the Burton family has been farming at Wilberfoss for more than a century and today Grant and Mark Burton are the fourth generation in the business. The Burton’s herd of outdoor pigs are kept in welfare friendly conditions with plenty of space and freedom to roam, root and wallow and are fed a balanced diet of high quality non-genetically modified feed. Manor House Farm’s speciality is their range of gourmet sausages, handmade using the best cuts of pork and quality ingredients. Flavours include: Original, Sage, Marjoram, Mustard, Leek, Tomato, Sun Dried Tomato & Basil, Toulouse and Gluten Free. The Burtons will also produce any flavour sausage to order. Also available are Pork Chops, Pork Joints, Pork & Apple Burgers, Chinese Style Spare Ribs, Dry Cured Bacon and Dry Cured Gammon. Tel: 01759 380244, email: properbutchers@hotmail.com
J Stringer & Sons
Bishop Wilton, York - J Stringer & Sons is a family business that has been farming on the Yorkshire Wolds for over 50 years. In 1999 they converted a large proportion of their land to organic farming and today, all their land is fully converted to organic production. They were the first farmers to grow certified seed potatoes on the Yorkshire Wolds and now produce a range of seed potatoes to suit both farmer, grower and gardener, choosing varieties that have good flavour, low susceptibility to disease and keep well. They supply organic table potatoes in several pack sizes. Their potatoes are grown without the use of artificial fertilizers or pesticides. Tel: 01759 368 221/831.
Jeff Boocock & Son, Quality Butchers and Bakers
Fridaythorpe, East Yorkshire - These quality butchers and bakers were the first to open a farm shop in 1986. They raise their prize-winning stock under high welfare conditions fed both out at grass and on a home-milled non-genetically modified feed. All their fresh meat is well matured before sale or for use in their pies and all their products, including sausages, burgers, black puddings and scotch eggs are handmade. They have a tempting range of pies includes both traditional and some for the more adventurous. Their range of ‘heat and eat’ ready-meals is a real bonus for busy people who still want to eat high quality food without the hassle of preparation. Tel: 01377 288202, email: gavin@country-butchers.co.uk website: www.country-butchers.co.uk
John Farrah Harrogate Toffee
Starbeck, Harrogate, North Yorkshire - Specialised in gift confectionery and makers of fine confectionery for over 160 years, John Farrah-Harrogate Toffee was established in 1840. John’s mother, an assistant in a local bakery, was taught the recipe by her employer and this traditional method was handed down to John, who saw the potential and started to manufacture on a commercial basis to international acclaim. The product became famous for its lemon flavour and its distinctive blue and silver tins. Harrogate Toffee is still manufactured in Harrogate, still made by hand in open copper pans and stirred with wooden paddles. One and a half centuries later and the knowledge and traditions that gave Harrogate Toffee its reputation in Victorian times are still going strong. The company also supplies a range of fudge, chocolates and traditional sweets, all distinctively packaged and in keeping with the company’s long-standing traditions. Tel. 01423 883000, email: sales@farrahs.com website: wwwfarrahs.com
Just Puds
Ripon, North Yorkshire - This luxury award-winning pudding company began life in a farm kitchen in 1999 and quickly grew into its own premises. The greatest care is taken in choosing local ingredients for these high quality luxurious puddings. Flavours include Ginger, Sticky Toffee and Lemon Drizzle. Just Puds offer a mail order service of £3.99 per pud to include delivery, with a minimum order of 12 puds. Tel: 01765 640701, email: enquiries@justpuds.co.uk, website: www.justspuds.co.uk
LH Fine Foods
Harrogate, North Yorkshire - LH Fine Foods produce seasonal specialised home cooked products from high quality, fresh, local Yorkshire suppliers. The range includes specialised canapés, savoury tarts, ready-made meals and home made soup made to a family recipe that has been passed down generations. LH Fine Foods contain no additives, preservatives or colourings. Also cater for food intolerances.
Tel: 01423 506400, email: info@lucindahyman.co.ukMackenzies Yorkshire Smokehouse
Wood Nook Farm, Blubberhouses, North Yorkshire - A family owned and managed business with a long and proud tradition of producing and supplying smoked foods of the highest quality. Based in the heart of the magnificent Yorkshire Dales, the large, modern smokehouse is dedicated to producing the finest smoked foods anywhere. Visit the factory shop and see first hand that skill and craftsmanship are the highest priority with goods available ranging from Dry Cured Ham, Smoked Ham, Smoked Chicken, Smoked Duck, Smoked and Hot Smoked Wild Boar, Ostrich, Guinea Fowl and Pheasant, varieties of smoked fish and all manner of smoked Yorkshire cheeses. Tel: 01943 880369, email: Yorkshire.smokehouse@virgin.net
The Mushroom People
The Mushroom People was started by Jim Windsor with the intention of introducing different types of exotic mushrooms to the public and educating them to the many ways of cooking and preserving them. The farmers markets are the ideal place or both selling and educating and we usually have ten or more types in our stall. With the decline of the white mushroom industry in the UK, because of cheap imports, Jim now works with other growers to help them produce exotic strains and fight against the import of cheap inferior mushrooms from other parts of the world. Tel: 01757 228614, email: exoticmushrooms@aol.comPiercy’s Pork
Huby, North Yorkshire - high quality dry cured and smoked pork products. All meats are handmade and, unusually, low in fat! Piercy’s also produce a range of gluten free sausages, and gammon and bacon with no added water. All their products are made locally and sold through local farmers markets. Tel: 01347 810340.
Round Green Farm Venison Company
Round Green farm, Barnsley, South Yorkshire - Lean and tender, delicious and nutritious, Round Green Farm’s prime farmed venison is a succulent, low-fat alternative to other meat. Produced according to the guidelines laid down by the British Deer Farmers Association, the venison is guaranteed free from artificial growth promoters or additives. Whether you are entertaining guests or having a family supper, venison will provide you with a memorable meal. There is no mystery in the cooking of young, farmed venison and the flavour is less gamey and more subtle than older wild venison. It can be treated in the same way as any other meat, although because of its low fat content, care should be taken not to let it dry out when roasting. Round Green Farm will advise on cuts and recipes for their venison. Tel: 01226 205577, email: Richard.elmhirst@which.net website: www.roundgreenfarm.co.uk
Scotts Butchers
81 Low Petergate, York - Scotts Butchers was originally a family owned business and run business by three generations of the Scott’s family. It is now owned by Stephen Bailey, but tradition still remains. They are traditionally known for their cured hams (York Ham) and bacons and also sell a wide variety of meats and meat products. Their ham is cured in the traditional way and rustic hams are available in joints from 1kg to 22½ kg. A wide variety of sausages is also available, from the traditional pork sausage to more creative flavours such as Pork & Leek, Royal County, Tomato & Onion, Greek Lamb, Cumberland, Farm House and Pork & Stilton. Tel: 01904 622972, email: scottsyork@hotmail.com
Drink
Black Sheep Brewery
Masham, Ripon, North Yorkshire - This brewery was set up in Masham, North Yorkshire, by Paul Theakston, the fifth son of Masham’s famous brewing family. Although the first barrels of beer were only delivered in October 1992, this newly established brewery actually looks as if it has been brewing for half a century! The ingredients used to brew Black Sheep beers are Dales water from the brewery’s own well, malted barley, crystal malt, a little wheat and plenty of English whole hops. The beers are also fermented in traditional Yorkshire Stone Squares, which produce very distinctive flavours. The brewery’s Best Bitter – a well-hopped, light golden session bitter with a distinctive dry, refreshing taste enjoyed through a rich, creamy head – is already firmly established as a favourite in Yorkshire’s pubs, complementing a range that includes the Black Sheep Special, Black Sheep Ale and Riggwelter, not to mention the Holy Grail Ale commissioned to mark the 30th anniversary of Monty Python. Tel. 01765 689227, email: Patrick.green@blacksheep.co.uk website: www.blacksheep.co.uk
Daleside Brewery
Starbeck, Harrogate, North Yorkshire - Opened in 1988 under the name Big End Brewery, this brewery was based in a small industrial unit on Otley Road in Harrogate, but quickly moved to a larger building at their current address the same year. In 1992 their name was changed and a significant expansion of the brewery took place in the summer of 2000 with the purchase of new equipment. Daleside brews beers with distinctive flavours in the finest traditions of English brewing. Of the wide range of crafted, prize-winning beers at least one suits every palate mood or occasion. Some of their beers are Old Legover, Green Grass Old Rogue, Duff Blonde, Pride of England and Morocco Ale. Tel. 01423 880022, email: dalesidebrewery@aol.com
The Punch Brew Company
Bedale, North Yorkshire - This family-owned and managed business produces an old monastic herbal punch from a secret recipe closely guarded and passed down by a Great Uncle of the family, who was a Carthusian Monk. Yorkshire herbal punch is a non-alcoholic drink made of 12 herbs and berries. This mixture of herbs not only tastes delicious but also gives relief for insomnia, is an effective pain killer and also aids relaxation. Tel: 01744 600981, email: jacquifildes@hotmail.com
Attractions
Cropton Brewery
Cropton, near Pickering, North Yorkshire - Beer has been brewed in Cropton since 1613 and in 1984 the ancient craft of brewing returned to the village when Cropton Brewery was established in the cellars of the New Inn. Currently brewing over 10 different beers including: Two Pints, Scoresby Stout and Monkman’s Slaughter. Sample the beers for yourself at The New Inn at Cropton, or buy online. Daily Brewery tours at 11.30 and 2.30, except Tuesdays, £2.95 per person, £2.25 concessions. Tel: 01751 417330, email: info@croptonbrewery.co.uk website: www.croptonbrewery.co.uk
York Brewery
Toft Green, Micklegate, York - Established in 1996, York Brewery is both a visitor attraction and a working brewery, providing customers with the first traditionally brewed ales from within the walls of York for over 40 years. Take a tour of York’s award-winning independent brewery, to see each stage of the brewing process, from a specially constructed viewing gallery. The daily guided tours include generous beer sampling – including Stonewall, Centurian Ghost and the stronger Yorkshire Terrier – the Brewery Shop stocks the ales and other high quality brewery merchandise. The 100 capacity brewery bar is open after the tours to whet your whistle. Tel: 01904 621162, email: sc@yorkbrew.demon.co.uk website: www.yorkbrew.demon.co.uk
Yorkshire Country Wines
Riverside Cellars, Glasshouses, Harrogate - Established in 1989 by husband and wife team Richard and Gillian Brown in the vaulted cellars of a nineteenth century flax mill on the banks of the River Nidd, Yorkshire Country Wines is a unique taste of Yorkshire. Produced traditionally from fruits and flowers – without the use of grape juice – using recipes that have been tried and tested over many years of family wine making. Varieties fermented in the winery include Elderberry, Elderflower, Damson, Gooseberry, Cherry and Blackberry. Tours of the winery provide an opportunity to see how the wines are produced and of course to sample them in the tasting room which houses an impressive water turbine. The winery also has a tearoom, and adjacent antiques and oak furniture shop, complimented by an unusual range of paintings and ceramics. Tours Friday and Saturday at 11.45, £2.50 per person. Tel: 01423 711947, email: info@yorkshirecountywines.co.uk Website: www.yorkshirecountrywines.co.uk
Wensleydale Creameries
Hawes, North Yorkshire - Wensleydale Creameries and museum offers visitors the Wensleydale Experience, where you can tour the museum and taste a selection of Wensleydales including: Traditional, Mature, Smoked and Blue. The Centre opened in 1994 and includes a viewing gallery where you can see ‘Real Wensleydale Cheese’ being made. This is a traditional cheese room where everything is done by hand; cheeses are made individually, moulded and wrapped in muslin. The Buttery and the Creamery Coffee Shop provide refreshments, including cheese snacks, and The Cheese Shop sells a wide range of Wensleydale including specials with apricots, cranberries, ginger, or onions and chives. Adults £2, children £1.50. Open all year long. Tel: 01969 667664, email: creamery@wensleydale.co.uk website: www.wensleydale.co.uk
Shops
The Balloon Tree Farmshop and Café
Gate Helmsley, North Yorkshire - This farm shop and café business started mainly on the principle of trying to produce and sell the freshest produce, and in most cases all the food miles have been eliminated by growing and rearing on site. They also specialise in the production of Long Horn Cattle, matured for 3 weeks, and rare breed pigs, as well as fresh poultry and free range eggs. An extensive vegetable range complements this and in many cases, two varieties of a vegetable are grown to provide choice. For those with a sweet tooth, raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries, red, white and blackcurrants and blueberries are also for sale. As well as all the produce grown on site, there is also a wide range of other products from around Yorkshire including locally produced meats and cheese, cakes and confectionery, ice cream and fresh sauces. Open daily. Tel: 01759 373023, email: digby@digbymachin@enta.net website: www.theballoontree.co.uk
Castle Howard Farm Shop
15 miles north east of York - Two of the latest additions to the 18th century Stable courtyard at Castle Howard are their new farm shop and café. Produce from the estate and surrounding region is showcased and the local community and visitors are encouraged to use them. The focal point is a traditional butcher’s counter offering Estate organic Aberdeen Angus Beef, Lamb and Game, while frequent food sampling tempts visitors to the delicatessen counter offering cheese, pate, and cooked meats. Other produce that will be available at the farm shop will include: seasonal fruit and vegetables; fresh bread; diary produce; everyday grocery products; wine and beer, plus a range of speciality beverages and gifts. Admission and parking at the retail complex is free and is open daily. Tel: 01653 648444. Website: www.castlehoward.co.uk Press contact: Rachel Jack, Tel: 01653 648624, email: press@castlehoward.co.uk
The Farmer’s Cart
Towthorpe, North Yorkshire - Geoff and Margaret Sykes opened the Farmers Cart farm shop and café in May 2002. At the Farmer’s Cart quality, freshness and variety of produce raised and grown on the farm is very important. Choosing from the wide selection of home-grown fruits and vegetables, home reared meats and freshly baked goods available in the farm shop is a pleasure in itself. The Farm shop hosts an award winning delicatessen counter offering a variety of Yorkshire cheeses, pates, freshly baked pies and quiches. The farmhouse kitchen provides a range of delicious freshly baked bread, cakes, scones and biscuits, which are available in the shop or enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee in the café. In the summer, visitors can enjoy Yorkshire cream teas and light lunches and watch the goats on the golden goat bridge. The Farmer’s Cart’s celebrated chef, Simon Treanor, prepares delicious light lunches served in the cafe using fresh seasonal produce from the farm or locally sourced. He also produces a range of luxurious prepared meals for you to take home, using produce from the farm but with influences from all over the world. Tel: 01904 499183, email: thefarmerscart@aol.com website: www.thefarmerscart.co.uk
Henshelwoods Delicatessen
10 Newgate, York - Henshelwoods offers over 60 exceptional cheeses, hand picked cold meats, air-dried salamis, confectionery, preserves, themed hampers, imported wines from all corners of the globe and traditional ‘real ales’. Some of the recipes of their wide range of homemade vegetable preserves date back to medieval times. They are passionate about sourcing fresh produce locally and the essence of their business is to provide traditional home cooked food, free from artificial colourings and preservatives. Their approach to combining traditional and modern cooking techniques allows them to develop unique and delectable delicacies. Tel: 01904 673877, email: info@delidivine.co.uk website: www.delidivine.co.uk
Lewis & Cooper
Northallerton, North Yorkshire - Lewis & Cooper is a family business established in 1899 and is today a world-class gourmet store renowned for offering an exciting and diverse range of globally sourced delights. In 1994 they established a plum pudding business and their puddings have been praised by food lovers around the world. Their handmade plum puddings are prepared in the company’s own kitchens to a secret, century-old recipe, and with only the finest ingredients: succulent Chilean raisins, raw cane sugar from the West Indies, oak aged Hereford cider, full bodied Claret and a generous lacing of Hennessey Cognac, all infused with spices from the Orient. Lewis & Cooper also offer an exquisite selection of gourmet food hampers, gift baskets and gift packs for any occasion. Tel. 01609 777700, email: sales@lewis-and-cooper.co.uk website: www.lewis-and-cooper.co.uk
Rafi’s Spicebox
Goodramgate, York
This isn’t your usual kind of take-away. Rafi’s Spicebox is a family run Asian delicatessen specialising in hand blended curry mixes. The first Spicebox in Sudbury was originally set up in 1989, by Rafi, who after spending many years teaching Indian cooking wanted to supply people with the necessary exotic spices and ingredients that were hard to find. The shop soon evolved and today has become an institution. With 28 different curry mixes to choose from, you just need to add meat and vegetables and you have an authentic curry at home within minutes! The packs are made while you wait to your own specification and the expert staff are on hand to offer advice, recommendations and serving suggestions. The York store, which opened in 2004, is only the second Rafi’s Spicebox in the UK. Tel: 01904 638119, email: rafi@spicebox.co.uk or visit www.spicebox.co.uk
Taylors of Harrogate
Harrogate, North Yorkshire - Born in Yorkshire, Charles Taylor saw his future in tea leaves. Skilled in the art of buying and blending tea, he set up a chain of “kiosks” selling tea for two shillings a pound. He went on to open grand Café Imperials, a rendezvous for smart and discerning ladies with an appetite for Afternoon Tea. Charles Taylor’s enthusiasm for tea never faltered and he helped establish Harrogate as one of the most fashionable Spa towns in Europe – and the fines place in England to take tea! Still a family owned business and one of the few remaining independent tea merchants in England, the company still upholds the time-honoured traditions established by Charles Taylor. Taylors Speciality Teas are a celebration of his passion for blending and packing the finest teas for customers to enjoy. Indeed, the way the company’s tea buyers select teas today would be very familiar to the founder: Taylors scrutinise over three hundred teas every day in the search for the very best quality. In that respect the company is decidedly – and determinedly – old fashioned! Tel. 01423 814000, email: sjevans@bettysandtaylors.co.uk website: www.bettysandtaylors.co.uk
York Farmers Market
York Auction Centre, Murton, York – 9am to 1pm- The York Farmers Market at Murton was one of the first to be established in the north of England, with the first market being held in September 1999. Since then, it has continued to grow and prosper. Held on the first and third Saturday of the month all year round, this indoor market attracts the best local producers selling their own high quality and wide range of fresh produce direct to the customer. The market supports local business and communities within a 30-mile radius of York, reduces transport, food miles and packaging and aims to improve diet and nutrition through access to fresh food with knowledge of how it was produced, grown or fed. The stall holders are more than happy to tell you where and how their products are produced or farmed. There are also special offers and promotions and a prize draw for a farmers market produce hamper. As one of the largest and leading markets, there is always a huge range of local produce on offer – from prime Yorkshire beef and free range eggs to luxury puddings and mohair socks there truly is something for all tastes. Tel: 01904 489731, website: www.ylc.co.uk/farmermkt
Cookery Schools
Cookery at Hazlewood Castle
Treat yourself to a luxurious break at Hazlewood Castle with cookery Masterclasses by superchef John Benson-Smith, 1999 Northern Chef of the Year, BBC Mastechef judge and one of Loyd Grossman’s six top UK chefs. With a maximum of just 8 people in the class, informative tutorial and hands-on cooking in Hazlewood Castle’s kitchens, you can really get to grips with new skills and new ideas. To get you in the mood, the class begins with a two-course luncheon and champagne, naturally! The course, including lunch, costs £65 per person, and special room rates in this lovely hotel are offered to attendees. Dates for 2006 are: 24,25,26 Jan; 13,14,15,16,20,21,22 Feb; 20,21,22,23 March; 3,4,5,6 April; 1,2,3,4 May. For more details call: 01937 535353, websites: www.hazelwood-castle.co.uk, www.cookery-masterclass.co.uk
Betty’s Cookery School
No visit to York is complete without calling at Betty’s Tearooms in St Helen’s Square. Choose from an exclusive range of teas and coffees, all-day breakfast (but this is no greasy spoon!), lunch or something wicked from the cake trolley. Once experienced, forever smitten! And chocoholics beware – you’ll never get past the display of handmade chocolates on the way out without succumbing to temptation. Betty’s also offers 1-day cookery courses, covering a wide variety of subjects from breadmaking to family meals to advanced chocolate techniques. Most courses take place at weekends, and even teenagers can learn cook during school holidays. Classes are given by Betty’s own master bakers next to the craft bakery in Harrogate. For course details call Betty’s Cookery School on 01423 814016, website: www.bettysandtaylors.co.uk
York Festival of Food & Drink
The York Festival of Food and Drink is the largest event of its kind in the UK, and a massive showcase for the restaurants, hotels, shops and food manufacturing companies, which are so much a part of the city, its history and its economy. For ten days food simply takes over as the city hosts an extravaganza of specialist markets, celebrity chef demonstrations, themed dinners, product launches and any number of special events. UK celebrities such as Jamie Martin, Anthony Worrall Thompson and Valentina Harris support the festival, and it's growing every year. Visit their website on: www.yorkfestivaloffoodanddrink.com
Here is a taste of some of our favourite regional specialities:
Yorkshire Pudding
Originally Called 'Dripping pudding', it was used as an accompaniment to mutton. During 1747 it was renamed 'Yorkshire Pudding' by Hannah Glasse in her book “The Art of Cookery”. She says, “it is an excellent good pudding; the gravy of the meat eats well with it”. In Yorkshire it's often served with gravy as a first course, but more generally is popular as a main meal with roast beef.
Black Pudding
Not one for vegetarians or even the slightly squeamish! Often to be found on the menu of a traditional English cooked breakfast in the north of England in particular. Many people find the ingredients of a black pudding enough to put them off - basically they are made with pig's blood, mixed with oatmeal or barley and herbs, tied in a sausage-shaped bag and boiled. In a traditional North Country breakfast it is generally fried in slices.
Fat Rascals
A round, domed teacake with currants and candied peel, dating back to at least mid-nineteenth century. Available widely in Yorkshire bakeries and cafes, the most famous of which is Betty’s Café Tea Rooms, where teas and light meals of the highest quality are served and the adjoining shop sells all kinds of mouthwatering bread, cakes, and chocolates. Betty's Tea Rooms, York: 01904 659142, website: www.bettysandtaylors.co.uk
Wensleydale Cheese
Now famous as the favourite food of Wallace in the film Wallace and Gromit, the cheese is thought to have derived from recipes and methods used by Cistercian monks in the area. Visit the Wensleydale Cheese Experience in Hawes, Yorkshire Dales National Park. Cheese shop, tastings, guided tours.
Rhubarb
In a 30-mile area, known as the 'Pink Triangle', between Pontefract, Leeds and Wakefield, farmers grow the country's finest rhubarb and until the 1960s, this same area grew 93% of the world's forced rhubarb. The climate is particularly suitable and the local expertise unrivalled not only for the growing of the perfect rhubarb but also for the wide variety of culinary uses to which it is put. The Wakefield Festival of Rhubarb tours of the growing sheds can be taken, and themed rhubarb meals, talks on cookery and winemaking are all on offer.
Theakston's Old Peculier
Dark brown, rich, sweet ale. Originated in Masham, North Yorkshire, where it is still brewed, the name derives from the town having its own peculiar, or separate ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Visit the Black Sheep Brewery Visitor Centre in Masham, for a tour of a traditional working brewery. You can also visit their website on: www.theakstons.co.uk/beer/old_peculiar
For any further information and your free guide to York please contact: York Visitor Information Centre, Tel: 01904 550099, email: info@visityork.org or visit the website at www.visityork.orgPress contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager - Visit York, Tel: 01904 554451, email: kh@visityork.org website: www.visityork.org