Secret recipe for stottie is revealed

Nov 9 2007 by Jule Wilson, The Journal

FOR anyone who has ever wondered how one of the region’s best loved foodstuffs is made, or where Newcastle Falcons star Jonny Wilkinson gets his all important energy from, one new charity book has all the answers.

The Greggs 50 Great Recipes cookbook has hit the streets, and in it is a recipe for sticky banana bread from the World Cup rugby star himself, and, for the first time, step-by-step instructions on how to create the North-East delicacy that is the perfect stottie, as well as the secret to the Greggs gingerbread man, which has been tickling the tastebuds of North-East youngsters for generations.

The charity cookbook was launched at the Northumberland Street branch of the bakery yesterday and contains recipe suggestions from other North stars such as Alan Robson of Metro Radio’s late night talk show Nightowls, actress Denise Welch, former EastEnders star Jill Halfpenny, Tyne Tees TV presenter Pam Royle and even Newcastle MP Doug Henderson, as well as members of the general public and Greggs staff.

The book has been made to mark the 25th anniversary of the North-East Children’s Cancer Run (NECCR), a five-mile event which more than 200,000 people take part in each year, helping to raise millions for young sufferers of cancer all over the area.

A spokesman for Greggs said: “Twenty years ago, when the fun run was in its infancy, the survival rates for children diagnosed with cancer were about 20%.

“Today, this figure stands at 80%, thanks partially to the support of thousands of people from across the North-East who have taken part in and supported the fun run, raising in excess of £3m in the process.”

The recipe book, the first of its kind to be sold by Greggs, has also been illustrated by local school children who attend Greggs breakfast clubs across the region, including pupils at Felldyke Community Primary, Wharrier Street Primary and New York Primary, who have provided their artistic interpretations of the book’s tasty recipes.

Graham Randall, managing director of Greggs North- East, added: “The cook book is all about people sharing their favourite recipes with others so it was great to get some of the next generation of potential bakers involved.

“We have been baking for the people of the North-East for many years now and hopefully the book will encourage another generation to head to the kitchen.”

All profits from the Greggs cookbook will go direct to the NECCR. The book will be sold for £3.99 at all Greggs stores.

Go to page two to view reciepes from the book