14 replies to this topic

[StephanieL]

So in a couple of weeks I'm off to small-town Cheshire for a few days on business. What are the regional specialties besides cheese? My hotel's bar does feature a rotating series of local cask ales, which I'm looking forward too.

[Wilfrid]

A pretty part of the country. There might be some useful info here, especially the market listings:

http://www.cheshirefood.co.uk/

[StephanieL]

Thanks for this. I'm going to miss the local farmer's market, but I'll see what I can visit without needing a car.

[Wilfrid]

Other than cheese, I can't think of anything specific to Cheshire, so I suggest looking out for the kinds of things done well throughout the northern parts of the United Kingdom - especially meat pies of any kind, black pudding, and some good fish and chips.

[ghostrider]

My hotel's bar does feature a rotating series of local cask ales, which I'm looking forward too.

Sigh. That makes me envious on so many levels.

[g.johnson]

I'm ashamed to say that though I was born in Cheshire, I have no idea.

If you visit Chester, walk the walls but do not under any circumstances eat at the Albion Inn.

[Sneakeater]

Maybe you can visit the Dr. J geburtshaus.

If you can get past the crowds, of course.

[rohandaft]

I bought the best Cheshire cheese I've had at a Sunday market/car boot sale at a place called Beeston in Cheshire last summer. There's a good cheese shop in Chester. And you might look at cheshirefood.co.uk

[StephanieL]

I'm headed to Chester tonight. I'll keep a look out for the cheese shops. There isn't one in the town I'm staying in, though I was able to get some local preserves at the chocolate shop. And I had a wonderful breakfast of kippers, eggs, and toast this morning (though I suppose that's not strictly local).

[Carolyn Tillie]

[Wilfrid]

Kippers is good. Not something you'll get for breakfast anywhere (it's been a rare dish in London for years, because it does have...well...an aroma...).

When did I last eat kippers?

[g.johnson]

On recent trips I have had the impression that kippers (and, my preference, smoked haddock) are making a comeback in the small hotels and B&Bs we tend to stay in. A good compromise between sawdust and raisins and heart-clogging full Englishs.

[Wilfrid]

That's good news. My mother used to serve them occasionally, but you had to open every window in the house afterwards.

[StephanieL]

Yes, the kipper was strong-smelling and -tasting, and I kept thinking that it might not be a good idea to first meet my colleagues after having such a breakfast. But it was totally worth it, especially for the pool of fish oil (and egg yolk) I got to sop my toast in.

I did go past the Chester cheese shop last night, but unfortunately it had long closed for the day.

[flyfish]

We have kippers regularly - every other weekend - and so must other Ottawans because frozen Scottish kippers are readily available. Sure, the kitchen and everything in it smells like kippers for a few days but wotthehell.