It started with an egg, or was it a chicken? It’s the age-old question that not even the ‘eggsperts’ can answer (sorry, couldn’t resist). When it comes to Yolk Farm, a very impassioned couple came along first, and the rest just followed
Turn off the A1 by Boroughbridge and you’ll happen upon the world’s first egg restaurant – the creation of Ben and Emma Mosey. Just like the chicken and the egg debate, you’re probably wondering how this came to be?
After meeting at university in Edinburgh, the pair decided to spend some time living in Australia and Indonesia. It was there that the inspiration for Yolk Farm came about.
Not only did they notice that the food was a lot fresher, but so was the approach towards it. Believing they could bring this to the UK, the pair moved back and spent some time on Ben’s family farm while looking for their own premises.
In 2016 they found the perfect place and the following year had acquired Minskip Farm Shop and a casual 6000 hens. Even though the farm shop had been in operation for over 40 years, the couple made it their own, more than tripling its turnover in the process.
Coming from a farming background, Ben noticed that ‘people’s attitude towards food was changing’ and realised there was an opportunity. Keen to bridge the gap in knowledge when it came to farming and food, the couple thought the best way would be to open a place that would create a conversation.
Enter Yolk Kitchen. Housed in one of the old hen sheds, the space is warm and inviting. From the swing seats to the rustic crate lampshades and egg-themed facilities, it certainly draws you in with its quirkiness and authenticity. Not to mention the undeniably delicious menu, all focused around, well you guessed it . . eggs!
Refusing to play it safe and ‘inspired by the chilled out, brunch culture in Australia’, explains Emma, the couple thought. ‘if we were eggs and brunch then we would stick in people’s minds’ - they were spot on.
Minskip Farm Shop and Yolk Kitchen are run as two separate businesses, each with their own demographic and brand, tied together by the farm and their hens. Realising that they sold around 1,000 eggs per day in the shop, and used between 100-200 a day in the restaurant, the couple decided to reduce their flock to 1,500, in turn reducing any unnecessary waste.
Every morning the girls are let out of the ‘hen spa’ and into their six hectares of open, grassy land, where visitors are able to see them going about their daily affairs under the shade of the fruit trees and watchful gaze of their alpaca guardians. Combining this wholesome experience with eye-catching facts dotted around the farm and restaurant, visitors learn about eggs in a fun, but informative way, just as the couple intended.
However, it’s more than just eggs that bind the two together. Whether you come for the fresh, local produce set out in a dazzlingly bright display as you enter the farm shop or the famous chicken pancakes in the restaurant, you’ll be charmed by the values and ethos of the place. Community plays a big part here, be it the partnerships they have going with local farmers and producers (over 90% of produce comes within 30 miles) or the relationships they nurture with their staff. It’s clear to see that their desire of ‘creating a place where people love coming to work’ has been achieved, as the farm now boasts a team of 40 ‘with each leader being given a professional coach’ to help them develop, explains Emma.
Just as the values written on the walls in a quirky egg shape don’t go to waste, neither does much else here. Freshness is key, so anything nearing its sell-by date on the shelves will be quickly used in the restaurant or frozen for later use.
‘We sell the top 10pc of produce’ explains Ben, so anything not of the highest quality is made up into bags of pig feed for sale in the shop which has quickly become their bestselling item. ‘Two tonnes that would have gone into landfills each year now gives people such a joyful experience’ as Ben tells us how visitors love to feed the farm’s beloved Kune Kune pigs, affectionately referred to as their ‘waste warriors.’ While scraps from the restaurant are shared amongst the other animals.
What was once a humble farm shop is now a fully immersive farming experience, somewhere special you’re eager to take your out-of-town friends. Like a perfect pancake recipe – the couple mixed their different knowledge and experiences to create something wonderful. The result is a place where people can experience the freshest of locally grown produce, tuck into tasty yet innovative dishes and enjoy a wholesome experience on a fun and informative farm with their loved ones. Life’s simple pleasures at their finest.
What to do at Yolk Farm
Alpaca Experience
Book an experience like no other and spend some time getting to know these gentle creatures. Learn how to greet them, feel their soft fur, hear their hum and even rub noses with them if you’re lucky. Priced at £40 per person, visit yolkfarm.co.uk/alpaca-experience to book
Feed the pigs
Pop over to Minskip Farm Shop and pick up a bag of pig feed to give to the giant Kune Kune pigs. As they gobble it up take note of the fun facts dotted around their pen. We can guarantee you’ll learn some invaluable piggy trivia.
Book an event
Making use of their great space, Yolk Kitchen regularly host events in keeping with the mindful ethos of the farm. Expect everything from life drawing to watercolour classes and wellness workshops. Visit yolkfarm.co.uk/news to book
Golden Yolk Dining Club
Held regularly on special evenings at Yolk Kitchen, this series of unique dining experiences is sure to get the tastebuds tingling. Hosted by exciting guest chefs, tuck into seasonal dishes showcasing their expertise.
Free-Range Fun
Whether your little explorers are keen to learn nature crafts at Busy Birds or just want to experience the fun of farm life, there’s lots to get stuck into. Explore the vegetable garden, climb the hay bale and pop over to say hello to the hens and pygmy goats.
Rehome a hen
Once the hens stop laying, two rehoming charities come along to the farm and collect them to send off to loving new homes. You can enquire about rehoming a hen at hello@yolkfarm.co.uk
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