The stunning beauty of the Yorkshire dales has inspired many to call this part of the UK “God’s own county”. Scenery aside, the regional food specialities of Yorkshire puddings, Yorkshire ham, Whitby’s fish and the annual food festivals at York and Leyburn in Wensleydale all serve to make this county a wonderful place for the culinary traveller to visit.
Yorkshire Puddings and Yorkshire Ham
Yorkshire puddings, made from batter, are the traditional accompaniment to roast beef. Legend has it that the puddings were originally served as a starter with gravy to take the edge of the appetite of diners so the cook could get away with serving less of the more expensive meat. Nowadays, though, the batter puddings are served up with the meat.
Yorkshire ham is created using a curing method specific to the region and of course, with the creation of ham, comes other traditional pork products such as bacon, sausages and black pudding to make the most of the carcass. One place to visit to buy quality Yorkshire pork products is the award winning Lishman’s on the Leeds Road in Ilkley. They also have an online butcher’s shop where products can be bought by mail order.
Dine On or Buy a Good Range of Fresh Fish at Whitby
Whitby is a traditional fishing port where the ruins of St Hilda’s Abbey stand on the cliff tops above the town. It has its own commercial fish market where the day’s catch is auctioned off. Whitby is home to Green’s Restaurant and Bistro on Bridge Street. The owner, Rob Green, won the Seafood Chef of the Year Award in 2009.
If eating out doesn’t appeal and ingredients are needed for eating in, there are several outlets selling fish fresh from the market such as The Whitby Catch on Pier Road. There is a good range of different types of fish for sale not only at their shop in the town but also online. The website also hosts a fascinating web cam showing Whitby Harbour and the fishing boats coming and going.
Visit York and the Dales Food Festivals for Local Produce
Both the city of York and the town of Leyburn hold annual food festivals. The York event takes place in September and features food, wine and real ales. The Dales Festival of Food and Drink is held May at Leyburn on Wensleydale and in 2009, featured cooking demonstrations by local chefs as well as sheep shearing and dry stone walling displays.
Whilst taking a culinary tour of Yorkshire, or if the idea of stunning scenery, Yorkshire ham, puddings, food festivals or fish does not appeal, why not consider taking a gourmet look at the traditional foods available in the nearby counties of Lincolnshire or Nottinghamshire?
Elaine Findlay - An expert cook, Findlay's passion for food is evidenced by the size of her kitchen and her library of old recipe books
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