Taste Lancashire dining events re-engage consumers

In 2012, Marketing Lancashire secured funding from Defra’s Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), to help promote Lancashire’s rural food producers through a programme of Taste Lancashire activity.

The programme included Taste Lancashire Produce dining events, which aimed to re-engage consumers with the people who produce the food they eat, as well as with the chefs who prepare and cook it. It’s not often that the actual producer is there at the point of consumption, or that you can learn more about the food you’re eating – while you’re eating it.

Restaurant Partners
A selection of Taste Lancashire accredited restaurants was asked to host an event, create a three course menu using a rural Lancashire producer of their choice, then feature the chosen produce in one or all of their courses. The producer is also invited to attend the event and speak about their company and specialist knowledge.

Our partners to date have included The Millstone at Mellor, The Three Fishes at Mitton, Twelve in Thornton Cleveleys, The Redwell Inn at Arkholme, The Sparrowhawk in Fence and The Villa at Wrea Green.

Rural Suppliers
Reg Johnson of Johnson & Swarbrick in Goosnargh, was the guest producer at The Millstone at Mellor, where Chef Patron Anson Bolton gave Sous Chef Danny Holder the chance to show his culinary skills. Danny chose to feature Reg’s Goosnargh Duck leg, accompanied by creamed curly kale and smoked bacon, with herb roasted Jerusalem artichokes – demonstrating perfectly why Goosnargh Duck is favoured by leading chefs across the country. For genuine Goosnargh Duck or Chicken, call Reg on 01772 865251.

Head Chef Andy McCarthy at The Three Fishes chose to feature Butler’s cheese in a delicious twice-baked Butler’s Tasty Lancashire cheese Souffle. Chris Burton from Butlers was also on hand to offer diners some expert guidance through the cheeseboard selection. www.butlerscheeses.co.uk

Paul Moss, Chef Proprietor of Twelve put his trust in nature and Growing With Nature, organic vegetable producers, who planted the required ingredients just weeks before the event. Debra and Alan Schofield delivered the goods on time, for deliciously fresh vegetable soup with chopped fresh herbs, as well as spring cabbage and crushed potato accompaniment for the mains. www.growingwithnature.co.uk Luke Payne, Junior Chef de Partie at The Sparrowhawk, featured produce from Leagram Organic Dairy in Chipping. His traditional Lancashire Foot Pasty included Leagram’s Lancashire cheese, accompanied with homemade pickle, and for those with a sweet tooth, Lancashire Cheese ice-cream! To contact Leagrams Tel: 01995 61532

These are just a few examples of the restaurant/producer partnerships that resulted in Taste Lancashire Produce evenings. If you’d like to be involved or would like to know more about Taste Lancashire events and activities contact: info@marketinglancashire.com or visitlancashire.com/foodanddrink.