Radfords Butchers has been in Sleights for nearly 40 years and the driving force behind it all is award-winning butcher Andrew Radford and his partner Sarah.
Andrew started in the butchery business as a young boy helping his father Peter. When the shop in Sleights opened in 1984 Andrew gradually built up his experience with the help of his father and he eventually went on to win many competitions and awards.
The family-orientated business family orientated included Andrew's mother Ann and his sisters Sally and Caroline also working in the shop and bakery, perfecting the now famous pies that have customers nationwide.
Sarah joined the team in 2006. After working for Marks and Spencer for 22 years, predominately in catering and food departments. She took on the running of the shop, and now together they offer a fabulous meat counter, with all meat coming from livestock bought at the market weekly by Andrew himself. They are proud to tell every customer exactly where their meat comes from.
A childhood food memory:
I think for both of us here, it was helping with the Sunday dinner, even if it was just preparing vegetables.
Most memorable meal:
Andrew: Sat in the garden at The Star in Harome. After a few nights in the Dales with Sarah and mother, it was a beautiful summer's day and we enjoyed the most amazing turbot, I'll never forget it.
Favourite dish to cook:
Andrew: Rack of lamb. In the summer months when lamb is at its absolute best, I just love to do roast rack with my own mint sauce made from fresh-picked home-grown mint from the garden and buttered Lincolnshire Maris bard potatoes.
Best cut of meat:
Andrew: That's a good question. I'm going to have to say that there are many great cuts. Many seemingly insignificant cuts make the most fabulous dishes. Anything off the shoulder with spices works well for me. Slow cooking always seems to be bomb proof and has all the stock and flavours for a good gravy or sauce.
Favourite restaurant:
Andrew We have so many good cooks in the family, so we don't eat out very often, but if we are over near York where Sarah's family live, we do love The Blacksmiths Arms in Westow. And nearer home we do enjoy the fish and chips in Trenchers, particularly the halibut!
Food hero:
Sarah: This without doubt would have to be Andrew's mum Ann. At 87 she still makes things for the shop and is the most amazing cook. Anyone who has experienced dinner with mother as a group or family would not disagree. She is without doubt a legend.
Yorkshire ingredient:
Andrew: In the short summer season, local grown asparagus from Sandhutton, delicious pan fried with some dry cured Yorkshire fat bacon and Dales butter.
Favourite wine:
Sarah: Probably a nice crisp sauvignon for me. Andrew prefers a pinot noir, he's enjoying a lovely one by Joel Gott at the moment.
Go-to snack:
Sarah: Well I have to say it's rather difficult to turn down one of our own pork pies.
Dream dinner guest:
Sarah: The Hairy Bikers, Si and Dave. We saw them at the Barbican in York a couple of years ago and they are just fabulous. They always cook with ingredients you probably have in your pantry, and make it straightforward and wonderful food. I think they would be interested in our business and be great fun to have round for dinner.
Career high:
Andrew: Winning Meat Master at the NEC in 1994 in front of thousands of people. It was the competition to be seen winning. After being in second place two years before, it was the most amazing memorable day. I felt like the best butcher in the land!
What makes the business tick:
Having a great hardworking team around us. We have a brilliant crew who really know the game. Some have been on site 30 years or more.
What's next:
Well, we have rather a busy summer in front of us. Not only do we run a very busy shop, but we do quite a lot of outside catering barbecues too. So, we are now getting ready to go to some lovely venues and give people a taste of what we do best – good food!
Radfords, 81 Coach Road, Sleights YO22 5EH
Open Monday-Saturday 8.30am-5.30pm
