FOOD NOTES

Food news, events and fabulous local produce HIGH STEAKS

Love a good steak? Then head for Mainsgill Farm Shop (mainsgillfarm. co.uk), whose Tomahawk Steak won the ‘Best Fresh Meat’ category at the 2021 Deliciouslyorkshire Taste Awards. “Quality from start to finish,” reported the judging panel. “Well butchered and obviously produced with care and skill. We love the beautiful flavours and juicy texture.”

Be picky

Picking your own fresh fruit is a great way to spend a sunny summer’s afternoon. From midJune onwards Hutton Bonville Farm near Northallerton will be open for you to forage your own juicy strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants and tayberries. Follow their Facebook page, @huttonbonvillefruitfarm, for the latest news on what’s ripe and ready to harvest.

NICE ICES

If you’re going to cool off with an ice cream, make it a really luxurious one! Archer’s award-winning artisan ice cream is produced using Jersey milk from the family farm and, wherever possible, local ingredients such as fruit, fudge and honey. Indulge yourself at Archer’s Ice Cream Parlour at The Station in Richmond.

The big cheese

Old Roan is a smooth, creamy cheese that harks back to the golden age of Wensleydale farmhouse cheesemaking. It’s made by hand, in small batches, from raw milk provided by the hundred-strong herd of Holsteins and Friesians that graze the pastures of Home Farm in Aysgarth. You can buy Old Roan at Campbell’s of Leyburn (campbellsofleyburn.co.uk)

JAM-PACKED

Few fruit preserves can claim to contain 100% British fruit, but Annabel’s Deliciously British range is an honourable exception. Showcasing Yorkshire strawberries and Yorkshire forced rhubarb, it includes an intensely flavoured strawberry jam, a rhubarb and strawberry conserve, along with two chutneys: strawberry and chilli, and rhubarb and mango. Now in stock at Booths in Ripon.

Your barbecue deserves the best of bangers, and at the butchery department of Campbell’s of Leyburn (campbellsofleyburn.co.uk) you can find a truly compendious selection of scrumptious homemade sausages. Their cracking combos include Pork & Leek, Honey & Mustard, Black Sheep Ale, Lincolnshire, Red Onion Chutney, Hog Roast, Toulouse and Beef & Guinness. Call 01969 625600 to check what’s currently in stock.

GORGEOUS GIN

Perfectly timed for summer, Swinton Estate has just launched its own delightfully refreshing craft gin. Celebrating the flavours of Swinton’s 20,000 acres, it includes lemon verbena from the estate’s walled garden, juniper, coriander, lime, lemon and grapefruit peels, basil, rose petals, heather flower, lavender and orris root. You can buy it from the Swinton Estate Shop, swintonestateshop.com Yorkshire Pecorino Cheese Ltd is an artisan cheesemaking business based in Otley that creates a range of award-winning cheeses from fresh local ewes’ milk. Owner Mario is a perfectionist whose love of his craft is reflected in the exquisite quality of his mouthwatering products. Now in stock at Mainsgill Farm Shop, mainsgillfarm.co.uk

MAYO MAGIC

Give your salads a boost with the fresh, bright flavour of Charlie & Ivy’s Lemon & Dill Mayonnaise – part of a range of vegetarian-friendly, gluten-free mayos made by the award-winning Ryedale family firm. Charlie & Ivy’s other flavoured mayos include Garlic & Thyme, Chilli & Lime and Smoky Paprika, Chilli & Cumin. Now available at The Greengrocer in Bedale.

Congratulations!

Planning a wedding? You’ll want the food on your special day to be top notch, so it’s well worth opting for the services of a specialist caterer. Wensleydalebased Fairhursts have over 30 years’ experience catering for weddings, and can provide everything from buffets and barbecues to hog roasts and bar hire. Find out more at fairhursts.co.uk