RFG Research and Development Director Sarah Knapper says: “We recently confirmed that an 18th Century recipe exists which coins the term Yorkshire Pudding and links the product back to the region. We are investigating the eligibility of Yorkshire Pudding to apply for protected status, with support from the three main producers still operating in the region, the Real Yorkshire Pudding Company, Aunt Bessie’s and Greencore.”

RFG is encouraging other eligible Yorkshire food producers to seek support and advice on applying.

Sarah Knapper continues: “There is a growing enthusiasm amongst consumers for high quality, genuine, regional produce. The number of PFNs granted in the UK is greatly behind other EU countries, and not for lack of eligible entries, especially in Yorkshire.

“We will continue to work with producers on submitting products to the PFN scheme, helping to put Yorkshire’s mark on the national and European food map.”

RFG worked with Defra for six years to achieve Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status for Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb, which was granted last month. The product was chosen because of its heritage, the traditional methods used of handpicking the rhubarb by candlelight, and the significance of the Yorkshire Rhubarb Triangle between Wakefield, Leeds and Bradford.

Several Yorkshire and Humber companies have already achieved the status, including Swaledale cheese, Grimsby Traditional Smoked Haddock, and Hawes-based The Wensleydale Creamery is currently in the application process.

Any companies in Yorkshire and Humber which would like more advice and guidance regarding Protected Food Name status criteria and eligibility should contact the RFG on 01937 830354.

First up in the butchers department at the Brighouse & Denholme Road shop is National Butchers Week, which runs from Monday to Saturday, March 15-20. It encourages consumers to consider their local butcher as their first port of call for all their meat purchases and for their in-depth knowledge on everything from cooking times to menu suggestions.

Free tastings will be on the menu throughout the week, including Keelham Hall Farm Shop’s award-winning traditional and speciality sausages. The promotion also sees the official launch of the shop’s new home-made black pudding, when feedback will be invited following customer samplings.

Butcher’s shop manager Lee Scott will demonstrate the traditional art of sausage-making and will also head up regular ‘Ask the Butcher’ question and answer sessions for customers.

Lee explained: “Our master butchers have over 200 years’ worth of experience between them and we are always keen to offer expert help and advice by answering any questions our patrons may have about meat – for example, how it is raised, how it is prepared, how to find exactly the right piece of meat, and how best to cook it.”

Then, Keelham Hall Farm Shop will be bringing home the bacon for Bacon Connoiseurs Week. It takes place from Monday to Sunday, March 22-28, and provides butchers with an opportunity to showcase their products and inspire consumers to try the best of British bacon.

Keelham Hall Farm Shop sources all its pork – 95% of it is free range – from pigs born and reared in Yorkshire. Free tastings, including the shop’s traditional home-cured bacon, are again promised.

The business’s Victoria Robertshaw said: “We celebrated both events for the first time in 2009 and they proved so popular that we’ve made them bigger and better this year. These days, customers want to know where the meat they eat comes from – and we source it all locally from almost 80 farmers across the region.

“At the same, people demand both quality and value for money. They deserve it and we always try to provide it.”

The Regional Food Group for Yorkshire and Humber (RFG) will be showcasing sixteen producers under deliciouslyorkshire branding at the Food & Drink Expo 2010 (21-24 March 2010), at the NEC Birmingham.

Food & Drink Expo is the UK’s largest food and drink trade exhibition, bringing together all sectors of the industry, including retail, foodservice, wholesale and manufacturing. Buyers and suppliers have the chance to negotiate and network face to face over the four days.

RFG Chief Executive Jonathan Knight comments: “The Food & Drink Expo caters for all sectors of the food and drink industry, reflecting the diverse membership of RFG and Yorkshire’s rich food and drink industry. We hope our presence will help to provide new routes to market for our producers and promote the significance of locally sourced food.”

The Regional Food Group will be exhibiting in the regional and speciality area, along with a selection of their members, several of which will be bringing some exciting new products to the exhibition, including;

Yorvale ice cream will be exhibiting some exciting new flavours including Blueberry, Red Cherry Swirl and Rhubarb. The Yorvale team will also be on hand to showcase its new freezer deal packages and some of its new marketing tools.

Whitby Seafoods, the UK’s largest scampi manufacturer, has recently been working with the Marine Conservation Society to ensure consumers are able to make a more informed choice regarding seafood sustainability.

Yorkshire Game will be exhibiting its oven-ready Grouse, for which it won a Taste of Britain 2007 award, and its highest selling line over the past two years: ‘Easycarve’ Pheasant with succulent Pork and Apple stuffing.

Thorncroft will be exhibiting its range of natural cordials and ready to serve sparking drinks. Its ‘Healthy Thirst’ and ‘Free From’ ranges include flavours Cranberry & Hibiscus, Pink Ginger, Ginko Green Tea, and new for 2010, Cherry.

Ulrick & Short Ltd, one of the leading developers, suppliers and manufacturers of clean label ingredients, will be celebrating its 10th anniversary and showcasing its renowned clean label range. The well-established company will be holding a series of cookery demonstrations on its stand, presented by Ulrick & Short’s in-house chef, to highlight the versatility and quality of its ingredients.

Zeina Foods, the most innovative supplier in the specialty nuts and dried fruits market, will be launching a range of Syrian pastries and filled dates. The company will be demonstrating its new product on stand P170 on Tuesday 23rd March, 11am.

Other Regional Food Group attendees include:

• Bare Earth, a producer of South African meat products based in Yorkshire, made using traditional recipes.
• It’s Nut Free, a cakes, biscuits and desserts manufacturer, suitable for nut allergy sufferers.
• JCS Fish Ltd, a leading seafood company specialising in salmon, combining years of experience in the fish industry.
• Lauden Chocolates, an award-winning chocolatier with its handmade, visually beautiful chocolates.
• Pick Fisk, a supplier of custom-made Salmon and Whitefish products.
• Pipers Crisps, which uses locally grown potatoes and natural flavours.
• Real Yorkshire Food.
• The Wensleydale Creamery, the only makers of real Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese in the world.
• The Yorkshire Provender, a soup manufacturer who uses fresh, regional produce and works with seasonal ranges.

The Food & Drink Expo also benefits from being co-located with four other leading trade shows – Foodex, Baking Industry Exhibition, Convenience Retailing Show and International Forecourt and Fuel Equipment Show.

Exhibitor contact details:

Bare Earth Ltd
Thomo Leteane, 01765 641824, info@bare-earth.co.uk

Grandma Wilds
John Bateman, 01535 650501, john@grandma-wilds.co.uk

It’s Nut Free
Angela Russell, 01609 775660, angela.russell@itsnutfree.com

JCS Fish Ltd
John Grey, 01472 355 217, johngrey@jcsfish.co.uk

Lauden Chocolates
Stephen Trigg, 0113 2440289, stephen.trigg@laudenchocolate.com

Pick Fisk
Chris Pick, 0113 2638972, chris.pick@pickfisk.co.uk

Pipers Crisps
Alex Albone, 01652 686968, alex@piperscrisps.com

Real Yorkshire Food
Martin Bennett, 01482 337990, martinbennett@elvingtonfoodgroup.co.uk

The Wensleydale Creamery
Kate Allison, 01969 667664, kate.allison@wensleydale.co.uk

The Yorkshire Provender
Terry Williams, 01765 641920, info@theyorkshireprovender.co.uk

Thorncroft
Michael Haigh, 01642 79192, michael@thorncroftdrinks.co.uk

Ulrick & Short
Andrew Ulrick, 01977 620011, adrian@ulrickandshort.com

Whitby Seafood
Sarah Cox, 01947 829 029, sarah.cox@whitby-seafoods.com

Yorkshire Game
Richard Kemp, 01748 810 212, r.kemp@yorkshiregame.co.uk

Yorvale
Lesley Buxton, 01904 706702, icecream@yorvale.co.uk

Zeina Foods
Martin Savage, 01924 280180, martin@zeinafoods.com

Acting as an incubator for up and coming food entrepreneurs, Leeming Bar Food Enterprise Centre will provide fledgling businesses with food grade space together with an on-site management suite that offers meeting room facilities and access to expert knowledge every step of the way.

Leeming Bar is an excellent location for innovative food businesses, located directly adjacent to the A1(M) the site has excellent distribution links to the rest of the UK. Hambleton District Council has a key focus on regeneration and skills development and had made significant investments in the region to help businesses flourish.

Councillor Tony Hall, Cabinet Member for Prosperity at Hambleton District Council said: “We were able to secure funding from Yorkshire Forward and the European Regional Development Fund to develop this concept and several small businesses are already in the process of signing up.

“The Food Enterprise Centre removes some of the significant cost barriers faced by new food businesses and gives them the opportunity to move into purpose built accommodation, to share costs and experiences with other similar businesses and to make the most of prime market opportunities across Yorkshire and beyond.”

“The start of this project marks the district’s commitment to supporting those regional food and drink producers that want to strengthen and expand. Food and drinks businesses are extremely important to the local economy and this importance will be boosted by the provision of what is a first class facility.”

Tom Riordan, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Forward; “These purpose built premises will help food entrepreneurs to establish their businesses by offering just the sort of facilities they need. By investing our own and European money in the provision of such facilities in the Hambleton District, Yorkshire Forward is encouraging business growth and enterprise in the area.”

The Regional Food Group was consulted on the design of the food production units to BRC standards and Leeming Bar will be managed by RFG members Gary Quinn and Thomo Leteane, food entrepreneurs themselves, with a wealth of experience in food manufacturing.

“Setting up a food business is one of the hardest things to do as there’s so much to consider. We want our businesses to get the right food product to the right target market as quickly as possible. Having a managed workspace were people can advice you on anything from manufacturing issues, to labelling laws and nutritional analysis is invaluable to small businesses. Leeming Bar is all about taking away some of the stumbling blocks that get in the way of food innovation in our area,” says Quinn.

The project, based on the Leeming Bar Business Park near Northallerton, has received significant funding from Yorkshire Forward, the European Regional Development Fund and Hambleton District Council part of wider project in the area, which includes the new Evolution Business Centre in Northallerton. The Food Enterprise Centre offers 11 competitively priced food grade units for companies that meet qualifying criteria. The Centre also aims to attract food businesses from outside the park to use its resources and meeting space, in order to strengthen the food community in Yorkshire.

Food entrepreneurs who are interested in Leeming Bar should contact the Centre Manager Gary Quinn on 01677 425264

Their website is coming soon to this address: http://www.leemingfoodcentre.co.uk

M Hugel, who represents the 13th generation of his winemaking family, will lead a tutored tasting at L&C’s store in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, on Wednesday, March 10 at 7.30pm.

Tickets, available from 01609 766702, are £15.

Under the legislation, Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb will be given legal protection on its geographical recipe, highlighted to the consumer with an on product logo.

RFG Chief Executive Jonathan Knight says: “This is a great achievement for the region. Patience, persistence, meetings with the twelve key growers and a lot of effort on all parts has culminated in this fantastic result, which will help to confirm the unique Yorkshire Rhubarb Triangle as the home of Forced Rhubarb.

“We will continue to work with producers on submitting products to the PFN scheme, helping to put Yorkshire’s mark on the national and European food map.”

RFG has worked closely with rhubarb grower Janet Oldroyd of E.Oldroyd’s & Sons over several years. Janet says: “There were once 200 Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb growers and now there are 11. Achieving this status will help to avoid imitation of the product, safeguarding rhubarb production in the area and hopefully encouraging consumers to buy more locally produced rhubarb.”

Jonathan Knight continues: “There is a growing enthusiasm amongst consumers for high quality, genuine, regional produce. The number of PFNs granted in the UK is greatly behind other EU countries, and not for lack of eligible entries, especially in Yorkshire.

“We are currently researching products which could fit the criteria, and have recently investigated the origins of the Yorkshire Pudding in the special collections of the University of Leeds library. We are encouraging other eligible food producers to seek support.”

Several Yorkshire and Humber companies have already achieved the status, including Swaledale cheese, Grimsby Traditional Smoked Haddock, and Hawes-based The Wensleydale Creamery is currently in the application process for its Real Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese, which derives its distinct flavour and texture from a specific cheesemaking process and local ingredients.

Any companies in Yorkshire and Humber which would like more advice and guidance regarding Protected Food Name status criteria and eligibility should contact Regional Food Group on 01937 830354.

Tony, who has been with the brewery since its launch in 2003, is looking forward to the event; “The Glass House’s themed evenings are really popular and we always welcome the opportunity to share our passion for great beer with like-minded people.”

Tickets for the event on 26th February cost £20 and are available by calling the Glass House on 01723 368791.  Voted Best Continental Bar at the 2008 Moors and Coast Tourism Awards, The Glass House is situated in Northstead Manor Gardens and is part of the multi-million pound regeneration of the area known as ‘The Sands’.

Made from the finest hops and home grown malting barley, coupled with the purest, chalk-filtered Wolds water, Wold Top Brewery real ales are brewed with passion from traditional recipes.  The range of seasonal specials and all year round ales are available through the website http://www.woldtopbrewery.co.uk, or from farm shops, delis, hotels, pubs and off licences throughout Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. 

Please call the brewery on 01723 892222 for stockists.

The festival, nominated for White Rose Award for Tourism Event of the Year, takes place in the Cathedral Precinct between 10am and 4pm on 26th and 27th February.  This year’s line up includes a cookery demonstration from Yorkshire Chef and star of ITV’s Taste the Nation, Rosemary Shrager plus food demonstrations from top regional chefs Tim Bilton and Ashley McCarthy.  There will also be a host of other activities including tours of the famous rhubarb sheds, face painting, the rhubarb story wall and an outdoor market.

Wold Top Brewery will be one of 25 specialist food and drink producers who will be attending the festival under the deliciouslyorkshire umbrella.  deliciouslyorkshire is the championing brand of the Regional Food Group that works to promote food and drink producers in Yorkshire and the Humber regions.

Throughout the week, the Brighouse & Denholme Road outlet will be promoting the benefits of healthy eating and the five-a-day ethos by handing out free samplings of fresh fruit and other nutritious products. Tastings of home-made fruit smoothies – and advice on how to make them – are also on the menu.

The whole of February has been designated National Heart Month, the British Heart Foundation’s annual campaign to increase awareness of heart and circulatory disease, and to raise funds for its research, prevention and care services.

British Heart Week culminates on the Friday with National Wear Red Day, when Keelham Hall Farm Shop customers will be seeing red – quite literally! The premises will be decked out with red balloons, while staff will be donning something red, such as wigs and painted faces.

“Anything goes as long as it’s red – our staff are really getting to the heart of the matter and we’re hoping some of our customers will also support this heart-warming cause by adopting the red theme,” said the shop’s Victoria Robertshaw.

Some 30 Year 1 pupils from St Cuthbert and The First Martyrs’ Catholic Primary School in Heaton, Bradford, will be visiting on the day – and their red uniforms should give them a head’s start!

The five and six-year-old pupils are involved in a healthy eating project, with an emphasis on local produce. “The visit should prove both informative and educational, particularly as Keelham Hall Farm Shop is renowned for sourcing products from local suppliers,” said teacher Kevin Wheeler, who lives locally in Denholme.

In the run-up to Valentine’s Day, Keelham Hall Farm Shop invited customers to utilise its in-store blackboards to deliver messages to their loved ones. At £1 per message, the initiative is expected to raise in the region of £200 for the British Heart Foundation. Donations will also be welcome from customers throughout British Heart Week.

Victoria added “The British Heart Foundation charity is a cause really close to our hearts, as my father Andrew Robertshaw, who founded Keelham Hall Farm Shop, died prematurely of a heart attack ten years ago, aged 58.”

Keelham Hall Farm Shop is renowned for its community and charity support initiatives. Recent fund-raising campaigns have netted over £1,150 for the Candlelighters children’s charity at St James’s Hospital, Leeds, Children in Need and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.