Produce on show to tempt the trade

Mar 11 2008 by Brian Daniel, The Journal

FOOD-BASED businesses from across the region descended on north Northumberland yesterday to meet the cream of local producers.

More than 30 representatives of restaurants, pubs and hotels, plus chefs, turned out to meet 19 food producers from the Berwick and Borders area in an event aimed at encouraging them to serve more local produce.

The Meet the Producer event was organised by Berwick Slow Food group and Northumberland Tourism’s Made in Northumberland group.

It was supported by The Journal, as part of our Taste North East campaign which encourages people to use local, buy local and eat local.

Representatives from The Journal were present as award-winning local chef Richard Sim performed a morning demonstration, blending his culinary skills with the best of local produce, at Berwick’s Guild Hall.

Two of his recipes included Mussels Meuniere Berwick Style and Piperfield Pork, Ale and Heather Honey Mustard Stroganoff.

There was then the chance for food businesses to mingle with the producers over lunch.

And the business people were then treated to an afternoon tour of a few of the local producers – in a red double-decker London bus owned by a county food supplier. They braved the horrendous weather to call at Piperfield Pork, near Lowick, Heatherslaw Mill and the Great Northumberland Bread Company, Carroll’s Heritage Potatoes at Tiptoe Farm and the Chain Bridge Honey Farm.

Adam Ellis-Jones, project manager for Made in Northumberland, said: “The Meet the Producer day has been an overwhelming success.

“When you see for yourself the wonderful samples, variety and quality that these producers have to offer, it is hard to understand why the food is not readily available on every dinner plate in the region.

“All who attended the day have been inspired to think more local in their approach to ingredients, which is a real benefit to everyone, the producer, the chef, the diner and the local economy.

“It is fantastic that more local chefs are taking an interest and offering more local produce.”

Rod Smith, owner of the newly launched Barn At Beal, was one of the food businesses in attendance.

He said: “Our aim is to, where possible, source the very best of food and drink from Northumberland for our customers.

“Today has been invaluable for networking with the producers themselves and for learning more about their businesses.”

Stephen Percival, owner of the Black Bull at Etal, was another to have left clutching a handful of producers’ telephone numbers.

He said: “It is good for us to come and see the local produce. I have had this pub for four years, most of the producers I have never even seen or heard of.”