As it's the season for reviews, I thought I'd do a quick review of some of this year's highlights of doing this blog this year.
I've been to some great markets, and The Merchant of Hoghton's Food Producers:
were both amazing examples of how could a Farmers' market can be.
I'm glad we went on a walking holiday in the North East this year, otherwise I might not have discovered Cross Lanes Organic Farm, near Barnard Castle
with its green living roof, tractor tyre shelves and great food!
If ever your that way, you must also try and visit Robineau Patisserie in Darlington:
I'd go on quite a detour to visit there again...
This year I've been to some great butchers, and some fantastic bakers - like Bramhall Bakery:
As bread and cheese go so well together I must also mention the amazing Courtyard Dairy in Settle:
Since my visit they've won Best New Cheese Retailer at the 2013 British Cheese Awards, and Best Cheese Counter at the BBC Good Food Show, and at the same event, Andy also won Cheesemonger of the Year - I'm sure he deserves it.
It's been nice to see cider make a comeback, although my comments refer only to the proper stuff, and not the stuff marketing people promote which is made with imported apples and added water and god knows what!
So I was very pleased to visit the Three Counties Cider Shop in Ledbury - a wonderful village for food lovers in Herefordshire. Even better than cider is a good perry, and Tom Oliver:
(in my opinion) makes some of the best you'll ever find.
In fact, if you want the perfect meal, what could be better than a proper crusty loaf of bread, some tasty cheese and a glass of good cider or perry? If you buy them from these people you'll be consuming natural products and not artificial additives.
A big thanks to all the producers, for allowing me to write about them, and to you for reading this blog.
Happy 2014
Comments