Where we source our food

Probably the most important thing about our meals is the quality of our raw materials.

Modern factory farming demands the highest yield in the shortest possible time. Some of the methods of production make us feel uncomfortable. Animals may be put under a lot of pressure to grow and reproduce quickly. They don’t always get the chance to lead a normal life.

Inevitably, most ready meals use factory-farmed meat because it is cheap. But sometimes the lack of quality means artificial flavours have to be added, to improve taste and colour. Preservatives are usually included, to make the product last longer.

However there are still producers who choose not to get caught up in the helter-skelter rush for the highest yield at minimum cost. They still value traditional methods of farming, and prefer to offer a more natural diet and better standards of animal welfare.

The high moors and lush valleys of Northern England have some of the most natural landscape in the world. This wonderful backdrop produces fabulous livestock and game.

We have worked hard to seek out suppliers who produce great-tasting food in a traditional way.

Our beef and lamb comes from 3 National Trust farms, which form part of the Wallington Estate in Northumberland. They are all “Freedom Food” approved by the RSPCA, because of their high standards of animal welfare.

Our cheese comes from the Northumbrian Cheese Company, which makes artisan cheeses with a fabulous flavour. The owner, Mark explained to me that most farmhouse cheese-makers use the same basic recipe. This leads to a certain amount of similarity. By contrast, Mark makes cheese with a wide variety of flavours, from mild and subtle to gutsy and full-flavoured.

We use Mark’s Elsdon goats’ cheese to partner our smoked haddock, which is smoked over oak chips on the North East coast near Redcar.

Our game is from Yorkshire Game, which supplies venison predominantly from West of Scotland estates and other game from local shoots.

Our delicious ready meals are prepared with no added colours or preservatives.
All of our ready meals are free range.