Let's Bee Having You

One of the most fascinating aspects of a recent tour of Lymestone Brewery was that Brad the brewer keeps his own bees and uses the honey in some of his beer. Although we didn't have the time (or possibly the inclination after several 'samples' of Stone Faced'!) to climb onto the roof to take a closer look, the concept of bees in the brewing process was of real interest to me and the gathered throng.

By coincidence, a couple of days later, Magners held an event in London in association with the British Beekeeping Association (BBKA) and The Federation of Irish Beekeepers Associations (FIBKA). It was to promote the launch of Magners Bee Aid, a campaign to help save 1.5 million urban bees in the UK and Ireland. On the deck of the National Theatre, several thousand bees, 2 hives, and the Magners Head Bee Keeper from Clonmel Orchards were joined by numerous tentative but intrigued onlookers.

Honey bees are normally associated with the countryside yet the importance of urban bees is just as significant. Concern is growing however, as the number of bees in the UK is in dramatic decline.

As the hives were opened up, the colony was seen in all its glory. The illusive Queen Bee was nowhere to be seen, normally identifiable by the marking given to it by the keeper, but the hundreds of male drones (who do not work) and thousands of female workers, were busily going about their business - cue stereotypical joking amongst the amused spectators regarding male and female work ethics. It was intriguing to see how docile and nonchalant the bees were, having minimal interest in the surrounding audience.

The Queen is certainly busy, laying approximately 2000 eggs a day during April and May and the continued work of her colony mean that one hive produces on average 27kg of honey in a good season.

It is rumoured that Einstein said, 'If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would have only four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man.' The dramatic detail of the statement nor its originator are proven, however the implications are vast.

It is not just the honey that is of great importance to us and nature as a whole. It is the pollination of crops that is vital. There would certainly be no Magners Cider without the honey bees pollinating the apples in the Magners orchards!

The value of bees to the UK economy is valued at around £200m a year and certain crops enjoy a 25-40% greater yield if efficiently pollinated. It is estimated that a third of the food we eat is pollinated by bees. The retail value of their endeavours is believed to be approximately £1bn.

Pests and disease remain a constant threat. Varroa is described in human terms by the BBKA as like, 'having a bug the size of a dinner plate on your back, that bores a hole... The bug then sucks out your blood and spits back blood and possible infections from someone else into the hole in your back. Nasty.'

With all this in mind Magners have launched a free iPhone app as part of the campaign. For every download, they will donate 50 bees to the BBKA and another 50 every time the Facebook page receives a 'Like". They are also offering 25 Facebook 'fans' the chance to become fully fledged urban beekeepers and a scholarship that includes everything needed to create an urban hive and tend their own colony.

For more information visit the facebook page

I knew it was a gherkin

In my relatively short journey of discovery into the world of food and drink, last week was nigh on incredible and by far the most exciting of my foray so far.

I was extremely fortunate to be invited to Simpsons and Beef - both on the same day (oof!) - knowing that I would be enlightened further and thrown into a world of tastes that I had never had the pleasure of experiencing before - roast marrowbone being just one of them!

Following hot on the heels of my day in Birmingham came a visit to Lymestone Brewery. Organised by Brown and Green, the evening with Brad, Viv, Susie and Euan (respective proprietors and blooming lovely people) reiterated the passion and enthusiasm I knew existed in Staffordshire for locally produced food and drink. Further details of Michelin stars, bees and Stone Faced (check out the malt) will follow in imminent blogs.

The intention and concept of this blog has always been to not only source and shout about fantastic local produce but to also chart my own food journey both in acquiring new tastes and new skills in the kitchen. Such adventures into new realms have began to take me beyond our County line and into the kitchens of great Chefs (Tim @ Beef being the perfect example). I have been extremely fortunate so far in meeting great people, sampling some great food and developing myself when donning an apron, armed with a very sharp knife (more of this also at a later date). Which brings me to this weekend.

Thanks to Mr Davey (who had previously accompanied me on our mini tour of Birmingham and Stone) I came across a couple of Veal Rib-Eye Steaks supplied by Donald Russell. The Royal Warrant holder and Britain's leading mail order meat supplier enables cooks of all abilities to experience gourmet food and dining in their own home. The veal steaks themselves are matured on the bone for flavour, then de-boned and cut by hand. The eye of fat keeps it juicy and tasty and it is ideal for BBQing or pan frying.

I may not yet have the full confidence to develop my own recipe ideas from scratch but I am hoping that this will come with time. So thanks to BBC Food, the following was the result. Veal Schnitzel with caramelised red onion, spinach mash and a basil pesto. The veal was exquisite. Tender and beautifully complimented by the mash etc. It is a very simple recipe and straightforward dish to prepare. I will spare you all the recipe details here, just follow the link

More about the gherkin at a later date too...