Big British Food Map Munching the Midlands

Date Published:

06/06/2008

Andrew headed into the heart of England to munch all the West Midlands has to offer and try his hand at making Scotch eggs

Matthew Pearce got in touch with his thoughts on the whole scone jam v cream debate.

He says: "Hi Andrew, you are correct it is a West Country tradition to have jam on cream. The cream replaces the butter and as your pictures illustrate - it looks better that way too. Now the real dilemma: the pronunciation of the cake it's served on? Is it scone as in 'stone'; 'bone'; 'telephone'. Or do you say scone as in 'con'? I think the nation needs to know."

Well Matthew, I grew up in the North so I say scone, to rhyme with 'gone'. Which I think is the right and correct way to say it. Scone to rhyme with 'bone' coming from my mouth sounds weird.

Selfridges watch out

Spent the day planning the West Midlands leg of the trip, finding somewhere to stay (lovely self-catering studio south of Worcester) and contacting people from the map. Then nipped into Cheadle Hulme to stock up on supplies. While there saw the 'stunning' window display for the Cheadle Hulme branch of Bargain Booze. I think Selfridges better watch out.

That's a lot of cheese

And what's worse I'm heading to Solihull. Stuck on the M6 where it meets the M5 and it looks like the gates to Hades itself. Still things start looking up when I attend a Heart of England Fine Foods trade event, which is why I'm there. I meet a handful of local producers and chew the fat. I then head to the studio, stopping at Webbs of Wychbold which is a top garden centre that also has an excellent food hall. Particularly good are the cheeses - over 100 - selected by a local producer, Ansteys of Worcester.

That place sounds good

Went to Pegoty Hedge farm this morning to look at some excellent beef then had a little look around Upton on Severn, which is a UK village in bloom finalist. There's something lovely about a bustling English village in the sunshine. Of course most of the village was under water last summer as the area was hit badly by flooding. Some local businesses are still feeling the effects. Also found Webb's Café. What more could you want, a cafe named after you that also does books. I couldn't stop, however, as I was running late for a meeting with the Handmade Scotch Egg Company.

I'm watching you

Went to visit Goodman's Geese today. They also do asparagus and have a small herd of cattle, one of which gave me the evil eye.

Revills – a farm shop and more besides

Said goodbye to Cara Henderson who'd provided me with great accommodation and hit the road. As a leaving gift she gave me some of her homemade elderflower cordial – delicious. I needed some other supplies to accompany the beef from Pegoty Hedge Farm and so popped in to Revills Farm shop in Defford and had a chat over a coffee with Darren Hedges. Revills is everything you'd want in a farm shop, local where possible, well stocked, beautifully presented and a tea room on the side to boot. Well worth a visit as I picked up some purple asparagus too.

It's a dog's life

Went to Evesham today for a mooch round, and then a barbecue in the evening, where a very handsome pooch enjoyed the food!