‘Poacher’s Pie’, made from seasonal game, took top spot at the North East Product Evaluation Event and Regional Roadshow for butchers, which was held in York earlier this week.
Organised by the British Pig Executive (BPEX), the event attracted 28 butchers from across the region entering a massive 186 products for evaluation. Scoring top marks it was the champion of the Speciality Cold Eating Pie category that scooped the prized title of Overall Champion on the night.
Andrew Weatherhead of H Weatherhead & Sons in Pateley Bridge was delighted with the result and that his pie was such a hit with the judges. He said: “Our Poacher’s Pie is a new recipe made with lots of layers of locally sourced seasonal game meats, plus stuffing, chutney with ale, cheese and turkey.
“Once we developed the recipe we decided to put it forward for evaluation and get some feedback from the expert judges. We knew it was a good pie, but it’s performed even better than expected coming out as the overall winner of the event. Poacher’s Pie will definitely be on sale in the shop!”
In addition to the crown of Overall Champion, Andrew also took home 12 awards for products from his butchers shop, including a second category champion title. His ‘Beef, Red Onion and Thyme Sausage’ triumphed in the Lamb or Beef Sausage category. Perhaps his success should not be such a surprise considering the heritage. Andrew explained: “We’ve been able to trace our family history in the area back to the 1300s and the butchers’ business, now fifth generation, has been running in Pateley Bridge for 130 years, so you could say it’s in the blood!”
Other double category champions were Elite Meats and Arthur Haigh Ltd, both from North Yorkshire.
BPEX butchery and product development manager, Keith Fisher, said: “The judges really had their work cut out as yet again butchers from the North East demonstrated their skill and commitment to producing top quality products. Over 150 of the 186 products entered for evaluation achieved awards – a truly impressive statistic and the butchers deserve much praise. However, special congratulations go to the category champions and of course the Overall Champion.”
The next roadshow takes place at the Newark Showground in Nottinghamshire on Tuesday Wednesday 14 November 2007. For more details and to download an entry form visit www.porkforbutchers.co.uk or contact Jackie Hawkes at BPEX on 01908 844 107.
After that, the roadshows will be stopping at the following locations:
· 30 January 2008 – The Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcs
· 20 February 2008 – Reebok Stadium, Bolton
· 27 March 2008 – South of England Showground, Ardingley, West Sussex
The Product Evaluation Events recognise and reward product excellence and innovation among butchers. The judges use the following criteria: overall appearance; size and colour; ease of cutting; texture and structure; and most importantly taste and smell.
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25 October 2007