Food: The Notts County Show, Newark Showground, Notts.

The purpose of the event is to promote agriculture and rural industry in Nottinghamshire. Now in its 132nd year, known nationally for its jam-packed events; livestock, heavy horses and show jumping. There is the additional delight though of the Food Hall and wonderful stands bringing the best in delicious food, alongside live cookery demonstrations from Andrea Wallace with Brunch ideas, local king of the sausage and all round nice guy Johnny Pusztai with a butchery demonstration and if you fancied yourself as the next Bake Off winner, Linda Hewett was giving advice on breads and bakes. Masterchef finalist, local lad Pete Hewitt, also drew crowds to his question and answer session.

Within the food experience were Ladies in Pigs. Strange name, but actually a team dedicated to promoting the benefits of buying Quality Standard pork as part of a modern, healthy diet. Backed by the pig industry, the team work hard to increase awareness and consumption of Red Tractor pork, bacon, ham and sausages. The Red Tractor symbol allows the consumer to trace to product right back to the farm that produced it.

Agriculture students from Nottingham had teamed up with the National Farmers Union for a tasty display at this years show. More than 15 tubs of potatoes had been cultivated especially for an interactive exhibit teaching visitors how the humble spud is grown, converting sunlight, water and food into a multitude of delicious dishes, whether you have yours baked, mashed, chipped or turned into crisps.

The NFU’s award-winning “Let’s Talk Farming” road show was also on hand to give people more information about agriculture and why it’s so important for us all to Buy British. With a farmland stage backdrop, they had loads of useful booklets, stickers and leaflets plus seeds and other goodies available. I was tempted to take the opportunity to try milking the model dairy cow, Annabelle, but it seemed wrong for a grown woman to put down her shopping, move the kids out the way and grab hold of the udders, even after a few samples of local fruit wine.  They do say though that milking a cow is one of the things you should ‘do before you die’, so if anyone wants to help me out with that one….

Up to 30,000 visitors were expected over the weekend, so I got there bright and early on the second day of the event to sample the food stock up on local produce. There were many mobile stands selling hot food alongside the producers.

 Amongst the items I bought was a tasty chilli pork pie. I also bought loaf of bread specially baked to a traditional recipe to commemorate the civil war. As the new National Civil War Centre had recently opened in Newark on May 3rd I thought it seemed rude not to give it a try. Personally I can see why it was a traditional recipe. It looked lovely but seemed a little bland by comparison with some of today’s delicious loaves.

Always tempted by a sample of free plonk, I paid a visit to the Peaks Top Farm stall to try their fabulously fruity wine. I’m normally a Shiraz or Rioja girl but they told me to forget what I normally drink and know about wine and try the fruity flavours which included apple, strawberry,which was possibly the fruitiest, and raspberry – a bottle of which found its way home with me. The light, fruity wine tastes a lot like pop, making it a little too easy to drink.

There were a lot of stalls selling pastry goods, pie and pasties. I plumped for this little chicken, leek and bacon pie from Rose Cottage.

There were a number of cheese stalls so I went to one I’d not tried before, Lyme Bank Farm.  I tried several small samples before taking home this tasty Brewers Choice.

Erm, ok – so these next goodies didn’t make it to the photograph. Delicious salted caramel chocolates from Revolution Chocolate. I think we can safely say I enjoyed these handmade artisan chocolates.

I definitely have a sweet tooth. Hence the purchase of these beautiful Malteser mousses from The Angel Dessert and Cake Company. Malted white chocolate mousse on a biscuit base, with Maltesers inside and decorated with chocolate sauce and Maltesers, these didn’t last long either.

Finally, I couldn’t leave out my pampered pooch. He definitely gave the paws up to Marge and Mabel’s Peanut Butter and bacon biscuits.

Food stands at the event included Bland’s Cider, Cathy’s Chocolates & Cakes, Celtic Spirit, Crusty Pie Company, Forever Fudge, Fruity Tipples, Herbal Haven, International Seafood, Johnsons Toffee’s, Just Baked, Lime Tree Pantry Foods, Lyme Bank Farm Cheese Company, Mr Olives Mediterranean Royal Olives, Nibble Nose Cheese Company.

Finally, one handy tip I was given.  If you were lucky enough to get one of the sack cloth type bags from the show, I was told by one of the bakers that they are perfect for storing your bread in.  Take it out of the bag, pop it in your showground bag, and the material lets your bread breathe therefore keeping it fresher for longer.

By Tanya Raybould