24/08/2010

Issued by Food and Drink Festival

The Festival is delighted to launch a succession of distinct, often unique, opportunities to meet a range of Yorkshire Food Heroes at the 2010 event.   The Festival works with Yorkshire's National Parks, the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and National Trust to create a programme that promotes sustainable producers; especially those whose work help to maintain traditional landscapes. 

1. Collaborative stands: This year in the Festival markets small groups of farmers, from specific areas of Yorkshire, will share collaborative stands to sell each other's produce, in a way that none could manage alone. These arrangements have been developed by the Festival team as a new innovation.  Stand-holders include:

• The Southern Dales: Robert Phillip of Hellifield Beef (Robert's Highland cattle play and important role maintaining the flora of Yorkshire's Limestone landscape).  The Blue Pig Company outdoor pork and home produced cured pork from Mearbeck Farm. Award winning Granola from Yockenthwaite Farm and Quay spices.
• The Yorkshire Moors A second group led by Philip Trevelyan - Organic Miller, 2 producers from the North Yorkshire Moors Shearling project (heather raised young mutton), Newlands Organics, Farmed Trout from Yoadwath Mill, along with their smoked products.

2. Two exceptional dinners in York Mansion House with the Lord Mayor.  At the first Festival goers have the opportunity to join Yorkshire Venison Farmer Nigel Sampson of Holme Farm, around the Mayor's Dinning table to enjoy at meal prepared by Stephanie Consultant Chef at Rudding Park. At the second Mike Hoggan, of Whitby Crab Company, will be principle guest and Rob Green (Greens of Whitby) will prepare the meal.

3. Slow Food North Yorkshire lead some exceptional daily tastings conducted by producers.  They include, Tom Wallis -Lowna dairy on his award winning Goat's Cheese. James Wright of Taste Tradition proving that rare breed pork tastes better.  Andrew and Janet Stott on Sutton Beef and Lamb, and to round things off with the wild side Peter Neville of the Pheasant with us a comparative tasting of seasonal foraged foods.

4. Suppliers and Chefs Together.  A show including demonstrations from Yorkshire Michelin Stared Chefs Andrew Pern and James Mackenzie on stage with their favourite Yorkshire producers and a Yorkshire Produce Buffet for lunch.   Heroes include, Yorkshire Heart Vineyards, Lowna Dairy Cheese, Yorkshire Organic Millers, and Taste Tradition.

5. The Festival Market Place:  There are over 80 stand-holders everyday. Below are some of the Farmers/ Producers that you can meet:

• Beez Neez Apiary,  Bracken Hill Fine Foods, Brunswick Organic Nursery, Calderdale Cheese Company, E & E. G. Bullivant & Daughters, Epicure's Larder, Lacey's Cheese, Lottie Shaw's Yorkshire Parkin, Richmond Brewing Company, Round Green Venison., Sloemotion, Voakes Pies, Whitby Seafood, Yorkshire Chillies, Ye Olde Pie & Sausage Shop, Yorkshire Wolds Apples.
• York's regular farmers' market takes place within the Festival on Friday 24th September.