Samantha Viner – Page 2 – Yellowbelly Food

Podcast: The Cheese Society

March 22, 2011 Samantha Viner Leave a comment

Kate O'Meara owns the Cheese Society. Photo: Samantha Viner

This week we visited The Cheese Society and spoke to Kate O’Meara about her business. Located on St. Martins Lane, The Cheese Society comprises of a small deli and cafe.

The cafe stocks cheeses from around Lincolnshire such as the traditional Poacher, as well as other’s from around the UK and overseas.

Kate is passionate about local produce and insists that the café uses the best beef in it’s burgers along with quality vegetables. The deli also stocks cider from Skidbrooke which helps to promote the local economy.

Kate talks to Emma and Samantha about the risk of selling her house to fund the Cheese Society and how it paid off as well as the novelty cheese wedding cakes.

We also tried some Lincolnshire cheeses, including Smoked Lincolnshire Poacher and Cote Hill Blue.

You can listen to the podcast and view the accompanying slideshow below.

Original Video – More videos at TinyPic

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Myers plum loaf is fit for the Queen

March 1, 2011 Samantha Viner Leave a comment

Myers Bakery in Horncastle. Photo: Samantha Viner

In 1977 the Queen tasted Lincolnshire plum loaf from Myers Bakery based in Horncastle. The fruity bread proved so popular that a request was made for more.

The business was born in 1901 when Charles Myers purchased a mill and village shop in Alford. Charles and his sons, Lewis and Reginald, then milled flour, baked bread and became known locally as Myers Mill.

In 1932 Lewis moved his family to Southery where they set up their own bakery and shop. After several successful years they moved to Mareham Le Fen where they bought the village shop and mill.

Lewis’ son, Derek, took a keen interest in the business and baking. So much so that he went to Grimsby College to study the craft of baking where he was awarded with the Renshaw Cup for being the best student. In 1970 Derek opened another bakery, to run alongside the Mareham shop, in Horncastle.

After 10 years, the decision was made to close the Mareham shop and concentrate on the business in Horncastle. Myers is still a thriving business 110 years later.

Walking around Horncastle you see numerous paper bags with the Myers logo splashed on the front. The bakery is so successful that there is also a cafe and a deli next door.

When you taste the savoury pastries and sweet delights it’s clear to see why Myers Bakery is so popular. The family are dedicated to running a successful business with locality being key.

Feature

Video: The Secret Supper Club in Lincoln

February 22, 2011 Samantha Viner Leave a comment

The Secret Supper Club at Mount Pleasant Windmill. Photo: Channel 4

In this first episode of Channel 4’s The Secret Supper Club, Olly Smith heads to Lincolnshire to re-invent our regions much loved traditional dishes.

Mount Pleasant Windmill is the selected venue for this secret supper and the working mill is transformed into a small restaurant for the night.

Olly and his team create a three-course menu from award-winning Goose Lincolnshire sausages to a bread & butter pudding made from Lincolnshire plum bread.

The Lincoln Red beef takes centre stage with slow-cooked shin and the Lincolnshire food producers invited to the Supper Club declare it a definite success.

View the episode on YouTube here.

Video

Nocton’s super dairy plans withdrawn

February 16, 2011 Samantha Viner Leave a comment

The plans for nearly 4,000 cows at Nocton Heath have been withdrawn. Photo: CETFA

Nocton dairies today announced that it had withdrawn it’s plans for the US-style mega dairy at Nocton Heath.

The plans have reportedly been abandoned because the Environment Agency said that the farm would create an unacceptable risk to pollution of groundwater.

According to an article in the Guardian “the company said in a lengthy statement that the Environment Agency’s “precautionary stance and requests for new information reflect uncertainty with agriculture in general and the design of the modern dairy farm in particular”. It claimed that despite its best efforts to address the agency’s concerns, a “lack of relevant research” meant the company had been unable to provide the reassurances required.”

The withdrawal of the plans is a great relief for those who had been campaigning against the dairy but Nocton Dairies still own the land and their applications for a pipeline and reservoir are still in place.

Where do you stand on the mega dairy debate?

Campaign

Browns Restaurant and Pie Shop review

February 8, 2011 Samantha Viner Leave a comment

Browns Pie Shop is located up Steep Hill in Lincoln. Photo: Neil Mallett

If you’re looking for somewhere to celebrate then Browns Restaurant and Pie Shop may be the place for you.

Said to be haunted by a cheeky little boy named Humphrey who causes mischief and runs around the shop, Browns Pie Shop is nothing to be scared of except for maybe the sky high prices.

Being seated in the cellar was certainly cosy and intimate, with several tables squeezed in. A sharp knock to the head while coming down the stairs is a little embarassing- but an experience shared by many.

After a glance over the drinks menu and bottle of Chilean red chosen, glasses and water were placed on the table, beginning a great quality of service that was continued throughout the evening.

The chicken, leek and mushroom pie was a delicious mix of locally sourced chicken and mushroom although the leek seemed to be lacking, perhaps being replaced by what seemed like a litre of white wine and cream sauce. However, the puff pastry lid did a good job of soaking up the majority of the excess sauce.

The £12 price tag did seem a little steep (for what was basically white sauce and pastry) and the others around the table seemed to agree while they tucked into filling portions of stout and beef pie, Lincolnshire sausage and mash and even a mushroom and tarragon risotto.

Seasonal vegetables were served with the mains but the over cooked red cabbage remained relatively untouched. The bowls seemed full to the brim with carrots and only about five green beans.

The desserts were definitely the highlight of the evening, we all found room for one last course and it went down a treat. Cheesecake, bread & butter pudding and sorbet appeared at the table and were wolfed down in record time.

Costing at least £20 per head is a little steep for those on a budget but as a birthday treat you can’t go wrong with the outstanding service, unique atmosphere and tasty food.

Review

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