Newsletter November
Time and Tide ...
Oooppss.. I forgot to write the Newsletter! My only excuse is that there has been a lot going on. Happy to report that October was a very busy month and, coupled with the Team trying to fit in short breaks before the Christmas season kicks in, time has flown by. Anyway, my tardiness is to the reader’s benefit. I am going to report back on the 2025 Stokey Pokey competition, give details on American Thanksgiving and start the run-up to Christmas…… Better get on with it.
Stokey Pokey 2025
Wow, what a great competition we had this year. We received more than 40 entries, the highest ever, we whittled those entries down to 17 possibles and we came up with 7 finalists for in excess of 200 customers to come and judge. We definitely had the best weather for competition day, and this encouraged huge support. Liz and Craig were very much kept on their toes, as the demand for tasters never let up, and Gessica was kept busy filling cups with our delicious Mulled Wine. Even Mrs Grout was put to work counting the votes.
It was a good year. We had some fabulous recipe ideas, with Thai Holy Basil, Gorgonzola, Shaoxing Rice Wine and most herbs in the garden being used. Any of our 7 finalists could easily have been the winner, but as is the nature of any competition, there can be only one winner, and the winner takes the spoils. The voting public decided that N16 local, Rebecca Stephens should carry off the Stokey Pokey Cup for 2025 with her Pork, Garlic, Thai Holy Basil, Soy Sauce and Red Chilli Sausage. Rebecca also received a bottle of Meat London Champagne, and a batch of her own sausages.
We had two finalists from our Meat NW5 customers, and although they didn’t win, it was a great effort. Thanks to everyone who entered, Thank You to those who turned up to taste the finalists, and pick the winner, and Thank You to the Meat N16 Team who made it all happen on the day. Conroy will have the sausages in production this week, and they will be in the shop from Saturday 8th November.
Give Thanks ...
To the farmers who have produced some beautiful Turkeys in time for American Thanksgiving, Thursday 27th November. We have Turkeys in all sizes, fresh from the fields and pastures. The shops are taking orders, and we will have the birds in the shops, and ready for the oven, in good time.
Of course, there are plenty of delicious Cheeses in the fridges, and our eclectic selection of wines are filling the shelves. Maybe get Matt, Tammy or Fay to help you select your favourite and get it from the shelf to your glass!
Happy Thanksgiving to all of our American friends and customers.
Say it quietly...
Christmas is nearly upon us. As always, we will have everything you could possibly want for your festive table, and we make it our business to go out and find what we need to ensure that everybody gets what they want.
The Christmas list will be in the shops from Saturday 8th November. If you can’t get to the shops, call up and we will email a copy. There is no mad rush to make final decisions. Those of you who have shopped with us at previous Christmas’ will know well that we don’t get fazed if our customers want to plan Christmas a little later, but for those who like to get ahead, we’re ready.
In the next couple of weeks, I will write again with more information, but if you would prefer a delivery during Christmas week, you would do well to phone us and book a slot.
Please remember that our online shop will be turned off on Thursday 18th December, with the last regular delivery being done on Friday 19th.
Happy November