Local producers hail Beverley Food Festival

FROM oak-smoked salmon to sirloin steak, all East Yorkshire's bounty was on display at the Beverley Food Festival.

Hundreds of people turned out as chefs from the county's restaurants demonstrated their skills.

Many browsing the food stalls were surprised to see just how much choice there was.

"It's good to see the local variety," said Jill Atley, 57, of Walkington. "I heard it was good last year and wanted to come along."

The festival was organised by Beverley Town Council and featured almost 100 stalls selling food and drink.

Produce was judged in 11 categories, with prizes given to the best and runner-up entries.

Manor Farm Beef, a family business of Thornholme, near Burton Agnes, took home the meat dish award for its sirloin steak.

Charlotte Shipley, who runs the business with her husband Chris, said: "We're absolutely delighted.

"We did the festival last year for the first time and it was brilliant.

"We're really proud of the beef – it's slow-grown and grass-fed."

The beef for Charlotte's award-winning steak came from a herd owned by her husband's parents, Patrick and Margaret Shipley.

"We decided to set up Manor Farm Beef because we were producing such good beef," Charlotte said.

"We thought we should sell at farmers' markets instead of just the normal commercial route."

Businesses old and new had stalls out.

Wold Top brewery, near Hunmanby in North Yorkshire, was one of the first to take advantage of renewed enthusiasm for ales in 2003.

Brewery manager Alex Balchin said: "We've been going quite a while and done quite a lot of farmers' markets.

"I think it's really important for people to come and use local producers. We always try to source our stuff locally – even the packs we put our beer in are made in Hull."

One of the newest companies with a stall was Staal Smokehouse.

The Long Riston-based business was set up in December by Justin Staal.

It won first and second place in the fish dish category with its oak-smoked salmon and

Justin said: "The fish tends to be smoked with apple and oak shavings mixed.

"The apple wood makes it a little bit sweeter and more flavoured."

There were cookery demonstrations going on all day, with top East Riding chefs showing off their work.

James Mackenzie, chef and owner at the Michelin-starred Pipe And Glass restaurant in South Dalton, cooked a loin of deer and a hot-smoked salmon Scotch egg.

"I always try to choose dishes that are representative of what we do," he said. It's good to be able to show off the wares of producers who supply us on a day-to-day basis."

Sonya Evans, 42, came to the festival with her daughter Kate, 12.

"James Mackenzie was popular," she said. "It was a really nice atmosphere."

• Video: Peter Levy opens Beverley Food Festival

• Beverley Food Festival gallery 1

• Beverley Food Festival gallery 2