Waiting Wellies and a Posh Pop disaster!

 

Today was another early start for us all and a few oaths were uttered at 5 am when the alarm went off. This is a bit of a lie in for Rob but for Mrs Pigman still the middle of the night.

The reason for such a bright and early start was the visit to Scotts Field Pork by two judges from The EDP Food Awards - Rob has been nominated  as one of Norfolk's Food Heroes.

 

By 9am the pigs were fed, the gazebo up, The Simonds scrubbed and wellies waiting at the field in case of rain. My next job was to collect some pork for the judges from one of our butchers John Goddard in Downham Market and to get some cold drinks from a local source and supplier. I hotfooted it to Dents at Hilgay secure in the knowledge that they would be able to provide the above and sure enough got six bottles of what I thought was Breckland Orchard Posh Pop. I winced a lot at the price - over £17 pounds but paid my dues and rushed back to Oxborough just in time to collect Mrs Hartley's amazing sausage rolls with which we were to tempt the judges taste buds.

Unfortunately my trip to Dents was a major 'Should have gone to Specsavers - or whatever the Norfolk equivalent is - moment'. It transpired that the pop was so expensive because it was not Posh Pop at all but Posh Squash a full strength ginger based cordial that I offered to our esteemed guests ...undiluted!!! The unlucky victim was obviously very well brought up as he said nothing and indeed sipped a little before politely moving on. Things could only get better ...

The two judges who visited Scotts Field Pork today were Peter Waters Editor of The EDP and Tim Bishop formerly Head of Region for The BBC and recently appointed Chief Executive of The Forum Trust.

They spent about an hour with us talking about The Large Black Pig, the history of the breed, it's former decline and current resurgence. We also spoke about the partnership that we have with our butchers, how we all work hard to support each other and to offer our customers the fantastic product that is Scotts Field Pork. Both Tim and Pete showed a keen interest in what we are doing, a passion for Norfolk food, it's people and the desire to re-establish the link that may be disappearing between the two - hence their commitment both to The Norfolk Food Festival and it's associated awards.

It goes without saying that 'our girls' wowed them both as they have so many before - I hope that Rob and I returned the favour and did our bit for them too.

 Mrs Hartley's Famous Sausage Rolls