Tony Greenway.smokes out some tasty products from across Yorkshire
Smoking. It’s not big, and it’s certainly not clever, you have to stand outside in the (inevitable) rain to do it these days and then you walk around smelling like an ashtray afterwards. Also, it gives you nasty diseases. Without wanting to turn this column into a patronising government-style health warning, it’s best not to start, I reckon.
But smoking. Ah, that’s different. If you like your food to come with a delicious smoky, hickory flavour, be it kippers or burgers, salmon, sardines, ham, cheese or bacon, then you’ve come to the right place. Yorkshire, that is. There are companies here that will blow your smoky mind and set your taste buds tingling.
Here are six of the best smoky produce and outlets that Yorkshire has to offer.
Fortunes Kippers
You can’t go to Whitby and not visit Fortunes, who have been smoking kippers the traditional way since 1872 on Henrietta Street. The business has been kept in the family all this time and is now run by Derek and Barry Brown — and fans include Princess Anne who has written to Derek and Barry to say how much she enjoys a Fortunes kipper.
01947 601659
Yorkshire Chorizo
There’s only one thing better than chorizo and that’s Yorkshire chorizo. Chorizo is hugely versatile. Use it in salads, fry it with potatoes or serve it in stews, but I like it best in a Nigella Express chilli con carne recipe.
01729 830727
Mackenzie’s Yorkshire Smokehouse
A family-run business that’s been a Yorkshire favourite for over 25 years and produces everything from fish and poultry to game and cheese. Can’t decide what to have? Not surprising really because there’s lots to choose from. So why not try one of their smokin’ hampers?
01943 810 001
Bleiker’s: The Smokehouse
Founded by Jürg Bleiker who ran the Old Deanery restaurant in Ripon, this award-winning North Yorkshire-based company has a big reputation for curing and smoking the best produce. The smoked salmon is divine and you can order it from the website.
01423 711 411
Staal Smokehouse
Based in historic Beverley, Staal Smokehouse, run by Justin Staal, opened for business in 2011 and produces everything from gradvadlax and hot and cold smoked trout to smoked mackerel, smoked duck and even smoked rapeseed oil.
01964 541 946
Yorkshire Dales Cheese Co
If you like cheese, it doesn’t get better than this. Pop into this gorgeous Dales cheese shop, based in Leeming Bar, and snag yourself some hickory smoked cheddar. Gorge.
01677 423248
