You are invited to the Northumbrian Food Hall on Wednesday 20th June for an exclusive preview evening between 6pm and 8pm.
Discover quality home goods, accessories, gift items and more at The Loft, located on the mezzanine floor.
Please RSVP to: info@turnbullsfood.co.uk
We recently hosted a Butchery Demonstration at Linhope for the 1st Whittingham BP Scout Group.
Daniel Turnbull, sixth-generation butcher, broke down a body Venison from the estate, whilst explaining the various cuts and uses to the enthusiastic group of young scouts.
Two of Northumberland’s longest-established business announce collaboration
‘Let there be throughout our kingdom a single measure for wine and a single measure for ale and a single measure for corn…’
Turnbull’s Northumbrian Food has a historic reputation for supplying the finest food and quality local meat since 1880. Today, Turnbull’s are revealing their very own Beer, brewed in collaboration with the Alnwick Brewery, which was also established in the 1800s.
The Brewery’s origins can be traced back to around 1840 to the then Thompsons & Davison’s, who were appointed as Brewers to Algernon George Percy, 6th Duke of Northumberland on the site, which is now called The Maltings, opposite Morrisons.
They became incorporated in 1890 when taking on the limited liability status and formally adopting the name The Alnwick Brewery Company. It was acquired by Drybroughs and subsequently shut down in the late 1900s.
The Alnwick Brewery was brought back by Ian Linsley, the son of the former director, who revived the famous recipes, such as the Alnwick IPA. Now at its current location at Hawkhill, the Brewery is operated by Phil Bell and team who continues to produce beers to their original recipes as well as new, modern beers.
The collaboration sees the launch of ‘1880 Golden Ale’ is inspired by the craftsmanship of the skilled Butchers & Bakers of Turnbull’s and pays homage to two of Alnwick’s longest established business which have been trading for over 140 years.
Matthew Slack, Sales & Marketing Manager at Turnbull’s said: “We have always dreamt of having our own Beer to complement our range of Food here at Turnbull’s, but have obviously lacked the capacity to branch out into brewing it ourselves”
“I approached Phil Bell at the Alnwick Brewery at the start of last year and asked if it would be possible for the Alnwick Brewery to work with us to produce a beer. I was so shocked when Phil said it was an immediate yes”
The Beer is a traditional English golden ale with a medium hop bitterness with a clean refreshing citrus taste and a smooth mouthfeel. Brewed with a combination of Pilgrim and Golding hops which offers clean, refreshing flavours and aromas. A medium bodied session ale which is satisfying to drink in any season. The beer will also be used in Turnbull’s award-winning Steak & Ale Pies and is recommended to be served cold.
Phil Bell, Head Brewer at the Alnwick Brewery and said: “We are so delighted to be working with another local company to produce this beer. Turnbull’s have been great supporters of ours by stocking our beers for a number of years”
“This particular Beer makes use of the Pilgrim and Golding Hops which are British in origin, and I know from first-hand experience it goes very well with Turnbull’s produce”
Turnbull’s 1880 Gold is available from the Turnbull’s Northumbrian Food Hall at their recently updated “Beer Wall” which showcases Beers, Wines & Spirits from across the region from Wednesday the 15th of June which coincides with Beer Day in Britain.
Beer Day Britain is an annual festival for all beer fans on June 15th that honours all types of beer, including traditional ales, mainstream lagers, limited-edition artisan beer, and everything in between.
June 15th is significant because that is also the date Magna Carta was sealed in 1215. The great charter mentions ale in Article 35.
‘Let there be throughout our kingdom a single measure for wine and a single measure for ale and a single measure for corn…..’
In 1215, ale was so important in England that it was mentioned in one of the most important legal documents ever written. Beer and bars are still important parts of British culture today, with beer accounting for seven out of ten drinks sold in a pub.
The Scotch Egg requires no introduction; but the origins of this delicious snack are a source of much debate.
It is said to have been invented in 1738 by the London department store Fortnum & Mason of Piccadilly. They could, however, have been influenced by the Mughlai dish nargisi kofta ("Narcissus meatballs"). The first printed recipe can be found in Maria Rundell's A New System of Domestic Cookery, published in 1809.
Maria Rundell - A New System of Domestic Cookery, 1809
Originally they were not covered in sausage meat but in a rich, creamy fish paste before being sprinkled with breadcrumbs. Their name in those days was 'Scotties,' allegedly because they were made at an eatery by the name of William J Scott & Sons close to the seafront. Hence, over a period of time, the term Scotch eggs was adopted.
Due to a lack of meat during WWII, the Scotch Egg's quality deteriorated, and we began to lose faith in the product. Food manufacturing embraced technology more and more, and by the 1960s and 1970s, our breadcrumbed hero had lost his superpowers due to inferior, over-processed meat and the wrong kind of breadcrumbs used by competitors. As a result, many people thought it was a bit naff and out of style.
Despite these challenges its appeal comes down to the fact that it has remained an astonishingly simple dish to make and, even using the highest quality of ingredients, relatively economical too.
The Scotch Egg has changed over the years and has become supremely adaptable This week (2nd-9th May) we are celebrating the British Snacking Icon.
Over the years we have not been afraid to experiment with new kinds of flavours and ingredients, from black pudding to our NEW: Hog Roast (sage, apple & red onion) elevating it to finger food at cocktail parties or becoming the must-have on that all important summer time picnic!
In our promise to bring you best quality Beef for Christmas & New Year, Turnbull’s have been out and about sourcing a variety of Breeds. Included in this year’s selection includes the winner of the Acklington Mart’s Christmas Show & the 2nd place Pistola from the MacDuff Christmas Show.
All of our Christmas Beef is being hung for 18-28 days to ensure maximum flavour and tenderness and is then cut and prepared by our skilled team of butchers.
Champion Beef in time for Christmas
On Thursday 2nd December, Turnbull’s master butcher, Peter McEwan visited the Acklington Auction Mart for the annual Christmas Show.
The overall show Champion, a Limousin Steer, produced by Ian & Richard Bell of South Bells Hill Farm was purchased for Turnbull’s by our trusted buyer and judge of the show, Bill Howard.
The breed originates from the South West of France, first coming to the UK in the 1960s and to Scotland in the early 1970s. They immediately became popular as a hardy breed which produced high quality beef that was consistent in meat to fat ratio.
Other Beef purchased for the festive period includes:
