Savouring Tradition: Celebrating Great British Beef Week

As the scent of sizzling steaks wafts through the air and the unmistakable aroma of roast beef fills kitchens across the nation, it can only mean one thing: Great British Beef Week is here! 

This annual celebration pays homage to one of Britain's most beloved culinary treasures – beef. 

From hearty Sunday roasts to succulent steaks, beef holds a special place in the hearts and palates of Britons far and wide.

A Rich Heritage:

The tradition of beef farming runs deep in the United Kingdom, with a history dating back centuries. From the rolling hills of the Scottish Highlands to the lush pastures of the English countryside, British farmers have long been stewards of some of the finest beef-producing land in the world. Their dedication to quality and sustainability has ensured that British beef remains renowned for its exceptional taste and texture.

A Culinary Delight:

Great British Beef Week is a time to celebrate the culinary versatility of beef. Whether you prefer your beef rare, medium, or well-done, there's no denying the sheer indulgence of sinking your teeth into a perfectly cooked steak. And let's not forget about the classic Sunday roast – a cherished tradition that brings families together around the dinner table to enjoy tender slices of roast beef, accompanied by all the trimmings.

Supporting Local Producers:

In addition to tantalising taste buds, Great British Beef Week also serves as an opportunity to support local farmers and producers. By choosing British beef, consumers can contribute to the sustainability of rural communities and help preserve the time-honoured tradition of farming in the UK. From small family-run farms to larger agricultural enterprises, every purchase of British beef helps to sustain the livelihoods of those who work tirelessly to bring this exceptional product to our tables.

A Commitment to Quality:

One of the hallmarks of British beef is its unparalleled quality. Rigorous standards and regulations ensure that beef produced in the UK is of the highest calibre, with strict protocols governing everything from animal welfare to environmental sustainability. When you buy British beef, you can trust that you're getting a product that meets the most stringent quality criteria, providing both peace of mind and culinary satisfaction.

Looking Ahead:

As Great British Beef Week draws to a close, let us carry forward the spirit of celebration and appreciation for this quintessentially British delicacy. Whether enjoyed in a gourmet restaurant or cooked up at home with friends and family, British beef is more than just food – it's a symbol of tradition, quality, and the enduring bond between farmers and consumers. So here's to another year of savouring the rich flavours and heritage of Great British Beef!

As we bid farewell to another Great British Beef Week, let us raise a fork (or perhaps a glass of red wine) in salute to the farmers, producers, and chefs who make this culinary celebration possible. May the tradition of British beef continue to thrive for generations to come, ensuring that future food-lovers have the opportunity to experience the unparalleled delight of savouring a taste of Great Britain's finest beef. Cheers to Great British Beef Week – long may it reign supreme on our plates and in our hearts!

Warrendale Wagyu introduce the salads created to transform your Spring and Summer menus

As the season turns from Winter to Spring and then to Summer, households all over the UK start to think of salads.

Delicious Winter warmers like casseroles, stews, chillis and hearty pies are swapped for refreshing dishes like risottos, pasta dishes, and salads. 

The UK’s leading producer  of wagyu beef, Warrendale Wagyu, has unveiled a delightfully tantalising array of fresh and flavourful salads, designed to satisfy our taste buds and our appetites for wholesome, good food.

Each salad is a celebration of seasonal produce, centred around the rich succulent taste of delicious Wagyu beef.

Warrendale Wagyu Sirloin, Pomegranate, Kale, and Whipped Feta Salad

This vibrant salad is a major star attraction, whether you are feeding your family, hosting guests or cooking for a date night. 

Tender Warrendale Wagyu sirloin meets the refreshing crunch of kale and the burst of pomegranate seeds.

You will need: 

200g block of Feta cheese

227g Warrendale Wagyu Sirloin Steak

Half a pot of Greek yogurt

Lemon zest and a couple of drops of lemon juice

2 tsp Extra virgin olive oil

A handful of pomegranate seeds

Half a bunch of spring onions chopped

Half a bag of kale

Pea shoots/micro herbs

Salt and pepper

Method:

Whisk together the feta, Greek yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, and olive oil until the mixture is smooth.

Roast the kale until it is crispy or fry it until it browns.

Cook the Wagyu sirloin steak to medium, then thinly  lice it.

Sauté the spring onion.

In a bowl, layer the whipped feta, steak, kale, pomegranate seeds, spring onion, and pea shoots. Drizzle with olive oil.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Warrendale Wagyu Sirloin, Goat Cheese, Walnut, Fig, and Rocket Salad

This provides the perfect balance between sweet and savoury, featuring succulent Warrendale Wagyu sirloin paired with creamy goat cheese, crunchy walnuts, juicy figs, and peppery rocket.

You will need:

227g Warrendale Wagyu Sirloin Steak

100g Goat cheese

5 figs

Handful of walnuts

Half a bag of rocket salad

Balsamic vinegar syrup

Salt and pepper seasoning

Method: 

Cook themn Wagyu sirloin steak to medium, then slice thinly.

In a bowl, mix the rocket, figs, goat cheese, and walnuts.

Add sliced steak.

Season with salt and pepper, then drizzle with balsamic vinegar syrup.

Wagyu Beef Fillet with Blue Cheese, Walnut and Fig Salad

This features tender Wagyu rump hearts accompanied by a medley of strong blue cheese, nuts, fruits, and a drizzle.

You will need:

170g (6oz) Fillet Wagyu Steak

Handful or 30g of Walnuts

100g Blue Cheese - Stilton

4 x Chopped Figs

Handful of Watercress and Rocket Salad

2 x Cooked Beetroots Sliced

Balsamic Drizzle Dressing

Method:

Cook a 170g (6oz) fillet of Wagyu steak to your desired finish.

Toast a handful or about 30g of walnuts until they are lightly browned and have become fragrant.

Crumble or slice 100g of Blue Cheese (Stilton) into the desired size.

Chop 4 figs into pieces.

Prepare a handful of watercress and rocket salad.

Slice 2 cooked beetroots.

Assemble the salad by arranging the cooked steak, walnuts, blue cheese, figs, watercress, rocket salad, and sliced beetroots on a plate.

Drizzle with balsamic dressing according to taste preference.

Serve and enjoy!

To order your wagyu beef visit Warrendale Wagyu here https://warrendale-wagyu.co.uk They can usually offer next day delivery and if you sign up for their newsletter you will receive a 10% discount on your first order, check for details.

DukesHill Launch Finest Grade Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef

Premium meat and artisanal fine foods supplier, DukesHill, is justifiably proud to announce the launch of their Japanese A5 grade wagyu sirloin and ribeye beef; representing the highest quality grade beef available worldwide.

While DukesHill is already famous for its artisanal approach to ham production, the introduction of Japanese A5 Grade wagyu underscores its outstanding commitment to sourcing and producing the finest foods and drinks. 

DukesHill's CEO Mark Gallagher said “We're absolutely thrilled to announce the launch of Japanese A5 grade wagyu beef here at DukesHill. 

Famed all over the world for being in a league of its very own, wagyu beef represents the epitome of the highest quality beef. 

With ist exceptional marbling, rich and creamy flavour and melt in the mouth tenderness, wagyu beef is a sought after delicacy, loved by food enthusiasts and chefs worldwide.”

Japanese wagyu cows have been bred and selected for their predisposition to marbling, the distribution of intramuscular fat that creates its signature tenderness and rich buttery flavours. Beyond good genetics, Japanese wagyu cattle are reared to avoid any stress to the animals, to avoid overworking muscles. 

DukesHill's decision to offer A5 grade wagyu reflects its dedication to offering the finest examples of produce across its fine food range. 

In Japan, beef is graded by its marbling, shape, fat colour and meat colour, before being scored 1 for poor quality and 5 representing excellent quality. The higher yield of quality meat (72% or higher) results in an A grade.

As a proud royal warrant holder, DukesHill takes pride in sourcing welfare-assured meat from producers that uphold the highest standards of craftsmanship and authenticity. Consumers are assured by transparency and traceability in every bite.

DukesHill's Japanese A5 Wagyu Sirloin Steak (300g) £59 and Ribeye Steak (300g) £59 will be available from 10th April at www.dukeshill.co.uk. 

Warrendale Wagyu Launches Gourmet Wagyu Sausages Into Waitrose

I wasn't aware Wagyu beef was produced in Britain, so I was very intrigued and more than a little impressed to learn the UK's top producer of Wagyu beef, Warrendale Wagyu, has revealed its latest product, Wagyu Sausages. 

The new addition to its range will launch in 200 Waitrose stores this Wednesday (4th October) in what is thought to be the only Wagyu beef sausage to be sold in a major supermarket.

The gourmet sausage launch follows six months of rigorous product development and recipe testing and tweaking to introduce a beef sausage with the best taste and texture possible. 

The new sausages are available in Original and Horseradish and are produced using 90% and 86% premium British Wagyu Beef. What's more, both varieties are gluten and dairy free. 

Yorkshire-based Warrendale Wagyu was founded on an unwavering commitment to supply chain transparency, product quality and total consistency. 

The team their works in close partnership with a 750-strong collective of farmers to rear herds of a Wagyu cross dairy cattle breed known as F1 Wagyu. 

The brand has been running its unique business model to produce high quality marbled Wagyu beef since 2017. They now supply to Waitrose, premium restaurants including Hakkasan and Ivy Asia and online to meat lovers across the UK.

Tom Richardson, MD over at Warrendale Wagyu says:  “At Warrendale, we're clearly very passionate about Wagyu and, of course, we want to find new ways for people to enjoy it. 

"And we're very proud of the new Wagyu Sausage. Every care has been taken at each step of the process to ensure the taste, texture and traceability are the best they can possibly be.” 

The launch comes just in time for the start of comfort food season in the UK, with the new Wagyu Sausages here to upgrade autumn and winter meals. (That's Food and Drink says: "We're actually thinking of using Warrendale Wagyu Sausages with our turkey at Christmas dinner!")

John Topham, Chef at one of Yorkshire's finest restaurants, the Alice Hawthorn said: “I'm a big fan of the new Warrendale Wagyu sausage. It's an elegant sausage with a rich, smooth, beefy taste. I believe it's the perfect choice for a toad-in-the-hole with beer caramelised onion gravy!”

Krystina Houghton, Waitrose's sausage buyer said: "We're really very excited to be adding these British wagyu sausages into our range. Not only are they packed full of incredible umami flavours, but they're  made with British beef so it's fantastic to see more support for our farmers, too.

“The sausages will be perfect for those looking to add something delicious to their Bonfire Night get-togethers at home and will make a great addition to warming meals during the winter months, too"

Wagyu Sausages, Original and Horseradish, will be sold exclusively in Waitrose stores, Waitrose online and at www.warrendale-wagyu.co.uk. The RRP is £5.99 for a 400g pack of six, with an introductory offer of 25% off from Wednesday 4th October.

What's the beef? Sainsbury’s raises the steaks with lower carbon beef

The updated Taste the Difference products, initially available in just over 60 stores from today, will form the largest lower carbon beef range in the entire UK

Carbon emissions have been reduced through factors such as superior cattle breeding and animal management

The industry-first process has been developed to provide greater security and stability to farmers

Following a decade of development and five years of production, Sainsbury’s is launching a new Taste the Difference Aberdeen Angus range which could revolutionise how beef is produced in the UK. The reinvigorated range will offer a 25% lower carbon footprint compared to industry standard, making it the largest low carbon beef range ever produced in the UK.

Sainsbury’s has developed the range by bringing together its dairy and beef supply chains, reducing carbon through a combination of superior cattle breeding and animal management. Measures such as strictly monitored feed and living conditions mean that healthy calves are raised in the most efficient way possible, needing less time and energy to grow, in turn emitting fewer harmful gases.

With taste at the forefront of the development, the updated Taste the Difference range will initially feature 16 customer favourites including 12% and 5% fat mince, 30 day rib eye steak and a 30 day beef roasting joint. The beef is produced in Britain using only Aberdeen Angus cattle, which allows the retailer to breed healthy, hardy animals that are naturally suited to a grass and forage diet, producing more consistent beef with a richer flavour and absolutely exquisite tenderness.

As well as being better for the planet, Sainsbury’s has made sure the new process will offer benefits for farmers with fixed, forward pricing providing greater security and stability. The retailer also equips farms with advanced free-of-charge technology which generates in-depth data to help them make better farm management decisions.

Customers will be able to find the lower carbon Taste the Difference Aberdeen Angus beef range in new vibrant packaging in over 60 stores from Monday 18th September, with a nationwide expansion to come in time.

Gavin Hodgson, Director of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Horticulture at Sainsbury’s, said: “More of our customers want high quality beef with a lower carbon footprint and that’s why we’ve invested many years of research and development into transforming how we produce it.

“Our updated lower carbon premium beef range not only tastes great but is also positive news for our farmers too, who will benefit from more security and stability, supporting the future growth of UK agriculture. We’re excited about the possibilities this move could hold for the future of farming in the UK.”

Ruth Cranston, Director of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability at Sainsbury’s, said: “We know that more customers are wanting to make responsible choices when buying food so we sought to find a solution which gave them high quality, great tasting beef which is lower carbon. By creating 25% lower carbon emissions, this launch is another step forward in Sainsbury’s ambition to become Net Zero across its own operations by 2035, and value chain by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement’s aim of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C.

“This launch also shows what can be achieved through genuine collaboration with farmers and suppliers. No one else has been able to produce a lower carbon beef range on this scale and we hope this launch will set a leadership example of what is possible in the industry.

”Sainsbury’s has developed the new Taste the Difference beef range with its long-standing supplier and beef processor, ABP Food Group.

"Earlier this month Sainsbury’s announced it is investing an additional £6m annually into its dairy farmers, including giving them an extra 1p per litre on top of the independently calculated Cost of Production price of milk. The ongoing investment follows an £8.9m booster payment to dairy farmers last April and adds to the £66m given in support for farmers in total across the last year.

"Sainsbury’s has also already made efforts to reduce plastic in its meat ranges, such as removing the plastic trays from its steaks and becoming the first UK retailer to vacuum pack all beef mince, delivering a 70% and 50% plastic saving respectively."

www.sainsburys.co.uk

Tomahawk steak returns to Waitrose

Waitrose customers can once again get their hands on their British Beef Tomahawk Steak (£19/kg, average weight 1kg). 

Available for a special limited time, this juicy and very tender British Tomahawk Steak is grass and forage fed and is sure to bring the wow-factor to your summer meal times.

A spokesperson said: "With searches on waitrose.com up 54% compared to last year,  we know our customers are ready to bring this exciting steak to their hosting events this summer season, and this particular steak is perfect for those celebrating Father’s Day." 

Senior Development Chef at Waitrose, Paul Gamble, says: “Our Tomahawk steak is ideal for hosting this Father’s Day. The easiest way to ensure the steak is cooked exactly the way you like it to be is to use a temperature probe, medium rare should be 52°C, medium 58°C, and medium well 62°C.  

"During cooking, I recommend you baste the meat with melted butter or with beef dripping, which adds extra flavour, and when finished cooking always slice the meat against the grain. Serve up with a sprinkle of sea salt, our delicious triple-cooked chips and the rich and buttery bearnaise sauce.”

For a step-by-step guide on cooking our Tomahawk Steak please click here https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/content/inspiration/at-home-with-us/more-stories/how-to-cook-the-perfect-tomahawk-steak

All Waitrose beef is from British farmers

Their cattle get more space, some 30% more than the standard set by food standards regulator Red Tractor.

No growth hormones are used at any stage. And Waitrose promises that will never change. It's all part of their commitment to high standards of animal welfare.

The spokesperson went on to say: "We’ve worked exclusively with many of our farmers for more than 10 years – and in some cases, more than 25 years. This long-term partnership offers our farmers the security they need to invest in sustainable farming practices that help to benefit the environment and encourage local wildlife."

www.waitrose.com

New greener packaging for Lidl beef mince

Lidl GB has revealed plans to introduce new vacuum-packed, recyclable packaging across its beef mince range, thus bringing about a very welcome plastics reduction of almost two thirds (63%). 

The smaller packs provide a valuable space saving, which will also result in up to 350 delivery trucks being taken off the road every year.

Customers across the UK will be guaranteed the same amount of high-quality 100% British beef mince, whilst collectively saving over 250 tonnes of plastic a year through the new packaging. With the new packaging providing around double the current shelf life, it’s also estimated it will half the amount of beef mince food waste in store.

Alongside the positive impact on the environment, the change, which will be introduced at the beginning of 2024, will also comes with significant additional benefits for shoppers, such as:

Double the shelf life, from eight to around 16 days, staying fresher for longer for customers to use

Easy peel film, so customers don’t have to touch the raw meat

Smaller footprint pack, thus taking up less storage space in the fridge or freezer

Shyam Unarket, Lidl GB’s Head of Responsible Sourcing & Ethical Trade, said: “Plastic reduction is a huge priority for us at Lidl, and this one change will cut the amount of plastic in each pack by a whopping two thirds, culminating in the elimination of over 250 tonnes of plastic from packaging a year. 

"But we also recognise the important role plastic plays in our daily lives. That’s why it’s vitally  important Lidl's plastic reduction strategy is centred around a progressive circular programme. By ensuring any new packaging is recyclable, we’ll also be able to help prevent plastic pollution in our environment. 

 “When the new packaging arrives in store early next year, we know the huge benefits both from a sustainability and practical perspective, will be welcomed by our customers.” 

This latest change forms part of Lidl GB’s commitment to tackling the important issue of plastic waste, as it looks to drive improvements across its product range through plastic reduction, recyclability and circularity.