Searcys’ Chefs Visit Lake District Farmers

On 17 September, a group of Searcys chefs travelled to Burrow in Furness to visit our amazing meat and dairy supplier, Lake District Farmers, to learn more about the bespoke, high-quality produce they provide for our venues.

The chefs first visited a farm where owners, Robin and Andrew, organically hand-rear heritage pigs, which live freely outside. Having realised in 2013 that the two pigs they bought from a local farmer to help clear their land were, in fact, a very rare, heritage breed of pig, Andrew and Robin decided to breed them. Their dedication to the pigs is contributing to the conservation of the breed, as well as producing incredible pork which will soon be launched on our menus across the business, including at St Pancras Brasserie and Helix at the Gherkin.

The second stop was a Herdwick lamb farmer, Peter Bland. They arrived after lunch to see over 400 Herdwicks in a field, having been driven down by 4 farmers and 10 sheep  dogs from the mountainous terrain where they roam freely. The hardy sheep eat wildflowers, reeds, and grass only grown in the Lake District and this diet gives the high-quality lamb its unique flavour profile and tender, buttery taste.

Following this, the Searcys chefs visited a dairy and calving farmer, Andrew Barraclough, who lost his entire stock of cattle in the 2001 foot and mouth crisis. Since then, the farmer has rebuilt and established a high-quality dairy farm where they produce thousands of gallons of pure-dairy milk, as well as rearing some of the country’s best veal. All of their dairy cows are given a life after their milking lifespan has come to an end, and are used as retired dairy cows, which is a remarkable achievement.

Our Chef Director, Darren Deadman commented, “the trip to visit the Lake District Farmers was amazing, not just in terms of developing our direct relationships with the farmers, but witnessing, first-hand the passion, love, and commitment they have for their animals and produce. They are, by far, one of the most organic and natural producers we could work with. Like Searcys, they are truly committed to being as sustainable as possible, supporting the community and supporting the British farming industry.”