Thursday 27 December 2018

Twixmas food fix

Happy Christmas to all our customers, we hope it was a good one…

Now we’re in the weird ‘no man’s land’ between Christmas and New Year. For some people it’s still ongoing celebrations and family get togethers, others are back at work. Some are hitting the sales in hope of a bargain and others are already taking their decorations down with a feeling Christmas has been and gone.

Whatever camp you’re in, the likelihood is you’ve felt the need for an expanding waistband over the past few days! Apparently the average Brit will have consumed more than 6,000 calories on Christmas Day alone – almost three times the standard daily recommendation. Christmas Dinner in its own right doesn’t have to be too calorific, but the chocolate, nuts, crisps, fizz and baileys we tuck into either side of that is. A third of us have had a festive tipple by midday (is it wrong that I think that’s a surprisingly low number?). But don’t worry – apparently you can burn those calories off with an eight-hour run or a 22-hour walk. Easy done!

Further research showed that the nation will consume 308 million slices of turkey and 411 million sprouts. Not forgetting the 205 million slices of Christmas cake and pudding and, of course, the 205 million glasses of champagne. Someone will have a sore head.

But all that excess, lovely though it is, can leave you feeling like you can’t face another heavy dinner, or another buffet. It can be hard to figure out what you fancy! Well why not leave that to us?

Hunters is open every day from 27th December, other than New Year’s Day and 2nd January and we’re happy to help you find something to tickle your tastebuds. Perhaps a flavoursome curry or stir fry to use up some of that leftover turkey? Maybe you want to avoid the kitchen all together after slaving over a hot stove on Christmas Day – well our delicious frozen pies from The Original Baker could be the answer. Simple but delicious and you can choose from favourites such as Steak and Ale or Chicken and Leek. Put together a salad with all your favourites from the deli counter, or how about treating yourself to a nice new pickle or chutney to zhoozh up your salad or leftovers? Soup, jam packed with veg and wholesome ingredients, is always a winner on a cold day and we love The Yorkshire Provinder range.

So, don’t let food disappoint you this Twixmas (yes, that really is the name given to this time of year, and no, it’s not linked to the caramel topped biscuit bar!). Put down the tin of chocolates and come see us for some inspiration!  

Saturday 8 December 2018

Bring on the Christmas feast!




One of the best things about Christmas is the food and drink.

It’s the one time of the year when to over indulge is expected – and no one bats an eyelid if you’re eating chocolate for breakfast, washed down with a bucks fizz.

Of course, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without turkey and all the trimmings (in fact – make sure you stock up on cranberry sauce, stuffing and gravy – you don’t want to forget those all essential elements!). It was actually King Henry VIII who first had turkey for Christmas – up until then it had mainly been boar, goose or even peacock. By 1573 turkey seemed to be a regular on the British Christmas Dinner menu, along with goose – which was still the most popular choice until the Victorian era. But our favourite Christmas bird is certainly a tradition which dates back several centuries. Pigs in blankets…maybe not so much.

Christmas pudding is another Christmas favourite with a long history. Although it started out as more of a soup/porridge with meat and dried fruit, which doesn’t sound like it would go so well with custard. By the 17th century it was looking more like Christmas pud as we know it, and King George I made it an essential part of the Christmas meal. The monarchy were definitely the reality TV stars of their time – whatever they had, everyone else wanted! Maybe we’ll all be eating what Kate and Wills or Harry and Meghan have for Christmas dinner in a few years.

Mince Pies were another Christmas delight which started out containing meat. Originally called Christmas or Shrid Pie, they’re thought to date back to the Crusaders returning from the Middle East in the 13th Century. For many, they’re symbolic, with the cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg representing the gifts given to Jesus by the three Kings. There’s also all kinds of myths and superstitions around them – from making a wish when you eat your first one of the year (bit late for that…) and it being illegal to eat them on Christmas Day. Which it isn’t. Although it might have been during the time of Oliver Cromwell who banned them.

Thankfully completely suitable for vegetarians, the Christmas Pudding we’re loving this year is Cole's classic pudding with ale. And for Mince Pies, you need to give Lottie Shaw's Sloe Gin mince pies a try.

One Christmas Dish which we don’t really see any more is the traditional Yorkshire Pie, dating back to the 18th century. You’d have to like meat for this one – it’s filled with a whole goose, a turkey, a fowl, a partridge, a pigeon, a hare, game, and any other meat you had to hand, mixed with mace, nutmeg, cloves, black pepper, salt and a mountain of butter. Sounds a bit much to be honest – and the pastry was never meant to be eaten, what a waste! So, if you love a savoury pie (who doesn’t) we’d recommend instead the pork, apples and black pudding lattice pie.

Whatever your Christmas traditions and feasts involve, we’re here to help, and we like to think we cover most bases with everything we have in store – it’s full to burst with festive treats. Except for a meat-based Christmas pudding – if that’s your thing, you might have to make your own…

Thursday 29 November 2018

Enjoy the festive fun in Helmsley


Christmas is coming! Despite how some of us might be in denial, it’s less than four weeks now until the big day…

This weekend sees the annual Small Business Saturday celebrations in Helmsley to kick start the town’s festivities.

On Saturday 1st December a day of festive fun is planned which will offer something for the whole family. A huge snow globe you can climb inside, perfect for the selfie taker amongst you. The giant Nutcracker Trail, with 6.5ft nutcrackers hiding around Helmsley. Music, entertainers and rides – everyone loves a bouncy castle! There’s a dog fancy dress competition and the best dressed two or three wheels for the kids. If you want to leave having learnt some new skills Helmsley Walled Garden is holding wreath making workshops and the very talented Rhian at Celebrate Country Cake Design is holding a sugar craft demonstration. Teams from the Fire Brigade, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Mountain Rescue will be there to chat to visitors – and the big man in red will of course be there in his grotto.

We love to get involved. We’re offering some delicious in-store tastings from some fantastic local suppliers. There’ll be Albion Artisan handmade pate, which is made in Epworth, Doncaster, Hooting Owl Distillery-Gin from Barmby Moor, and Three Girls Orchard Apple Juice which is made in our very own Helmsley. We do hope you’ll come along and have a try!

Small Business Saturday is a great idea to celebrate the wonderful independent businesses out there – of which there are dozens in Helmsley. It’s a great opportunity for the local community and visitors from further afield to come and join in the fun and games while doing a spot of Christmas shopping. We, and our retailing neighbours, have lots of fantastic and unique ideas for gifts, and ways to make your Christmas extra magical this year. By shopping local you’re helping to keep the high street alive and keeping money and jobs in the local economy. And you get great customer service and fantastic, hand-picked products. Win-win!

The festivities don’t end on Saturday – Helmsley’s annual Christmas Tree Festival continues on until 16th December, open daily from 10am to 4pm. There’s 26 trees, all individually decorated to the theme of “The best of Helmsley” by organisations and businesses in the town. We have one – see if you can spot it! And although our giant nutcrackers can only be in town for the day, there is a miniature nutcracker trail taking place until 16th too. There’s approximately 30 mini nutcrackers (the soldier kind, not the walnut cracking variety) hiding in shops around town. Pick up a trail from Helmsley Traditional Sweet Shop and see if you can find them for your chance to win a prize!

So, we look forward to seeing lots of our regulars and meeting some new faces over the next few weeks – bring on the celebrations!


Wednesday 21 November 2018

Nothing bundt the best at Hunters…


You may remember that back in September we announced a partnership with the wonderful Bakehouse in the Barn.

The very talented (and award-winning) Sophie Smith whipped up a storm with her pecan, date and banana muffins, which flew off the shelf here in store, but were also a huge hit in terms of getting people in their kitchen to give baking them a go themselves.

The aim of the partnership is to create seasonal products using local ingredients, with the finished bake, made by Sophie’s own hand, sold exclusively in our deli - but with the recipe available to anyone who wants to have a try. We’ve kept them simple (but utterly delicious) so anyone can give them a go – children, grown ups, those who shy away from baking in any way – you don’t have to be Mary Berry to give them a whirl. And you can always come and talk to Sophie when she’s in store, if yours don’t turn out quite the way hers did. But, if you really don’t fancy donning a pinny, come in store and treat yourself – Sophie’s always turn out perfect every time!

So, excitingly, Sophie has developed her second recipe for us – which we’re delighted to say has a definite seasonal appeal! Welcome to the festive Cranberry and Orange Bundt – a delicious Christmas treat, which is suitable for vegans and those with a dairy intolerance.

Using locally-produced Yorkshire rapeseed oil as the fat and a plant-based milk (Sophie recommends almond but you might have a personal favourite), the cakes make a light and fruity treat jam-packed with seasonal flavours. Just the smell of these takes you straight to Christmas – if you had these baking in the oven your whole house would smell like Mrs Claus’ kitchen! 

The cakes can be bought in store for £1.85 until the end of December, but you’re welcome to whip up a batch to try with your family and friends – we have copies of the recipe in store as well as below.

Happy baking – and eating!


Sunday 11 November 2018

Rise to the occasion

15th to 21st October marked National Baking Week. We have to agree with the timing on that, there’s something about October and November that makes you want to head to the kitchen and whip up some nice comforting cakes, pies and crumbles. Although we’re pretty happy to eat any of those at any time of the year, to be honest.

Perhaps that’s why the Great British Bake Off hits our screens this time of year too? Watching it certainly helps build up an appetite – although it might be just as likely to put us off baking for ourselves given the pressure of trying to create a showstopper we’ve never even heard of in a few short hours (korovai anyone?)

Last year, The Grocer reported that the number of households buying home baking products during Great British Bake Off season jumped by more than 1.1 million (almost 10%) - the sharpest spike of recent years. Its research also showed that the proportion of Brits baking on a weekly basis had risen (excuse the pun) to 34% who were donning their apron at least once a week. One in 10 women say the show inspires them to bake – especially those aged 25 to 34.

However, other research from Statista shows 48% of the population never ever bake at home from scratch – it’s not everyone’s cup of tea of course. Although enjoying a slice of something freshly baked with a cup of tea is, usually.

The research revealed our favourite bake to be – unsurprisingly – is cakes (75%), followed by cupcakes (39%), biscuits (37%), pies (33%) and then bread (29%). It seems those bread makers everyone had on their kitchen worktops a couple of decades ago may now mainly be gathering dust…

Baking as a family is something many of us will have warm memories of – whether it was our grandma teaching us how to make scones, or parents passing down a family recipe. Cooking is a great thing to do with kids – a bit of maths, a bit of science, a lot of fun – and potentially a good way to get them to try new things. But it’s not just for kids. How long is it since you’ve tried your hand at making a cake, or have you been tempted to use the delicious fruit falling from the trees at the moment to make a pie or tart? Why not call in and see us for all the ingredients you might need? And if you have any dietary requirements to work around (even Bake Off had a dairy-free vegan week this year), we can help with that too. We have the best quality ingredients we’ve tried and tested ourselves, so we know you’ll get the best results. From using Yorkshire Rapeseed oil instead of butter, to coconut flour instead of the run of the mill kind (geddit?) we can help recommend our favourite swaps.

Of course, we all have our strengths and weaknesses – and not everyone is a gifted baker. Have no fear, there’s no need for you to miss out on handmade goodies – we have plenty in store! We currently have the rather wonderful partnership with Bakehouse in the Barn, and there’s a new recipe about to hit the shop – watch this space…

So, whether you’re the baker, or the enjoyer of someone else’s baked goods, it all sounds pretty tasty to us!

Tuesday 23 October 2018

Saying the right thing


Another day, another food story which caught our eye.

Apparently many of us are struggling to pronounce some of our favourite foods. And we’re not talking about scone. We all know how that should be said!

According to a new study, some of us are getting it so wrong, we’re being served the wrong things when we’re trying to buy food in shops or restaurants – although we’re struggling to think of another word that even sounds like mispronounced quinoa, if we’re being honest. But that said, it seems one in five people have been served something totally different to what they wanted because their mispronunciation got confused for something else.

The research by French bakery brand Brioche Pasquier found that actually, brioche was a word a third of us struggled with. Other words we weren’t sure how to say included tzatziki, camembert, chorizo, quesadillas, salad Niçoise, Jalapeño, macaron, soufflé and fajitas. Quite a tongue twister if you try to say them all together! One in 10 of us has no idea how to say chipotle.

Even more understandable perhaps is that we’re hesitating over words such as Vichyssoise, bouillabaisse and bourguignon. Like anything language wise, it’s often a case of practice makes perfect, and depending on the kinds of food you like to eat, they may not be words you’d need to attempt daily, weekly or even annually!

Apparently we’re twice as likely to have a go at pronouncing a word we’re unsure about than to admit we don’t know how to say it.

It got us thinking, we hope people don’t get off put asking for something they want to try because they’re not sure how to say it. It seems a third of the population has struggled to complete a food order because they couldn’t figure out how to communicate their choice. Whether you give it a go and get it wrong, or ask how to say it, there’s no embarrassment!

We’d hope at Hunters that our staff were always approachable enough to ask – in fact we can probably have a giggle together over some of the trickier words! We all have something we struggle to say and sometimes it’s not even a word that seems very complicated to anyone else!

So, don’t be shy…if there’s something you’ve always wanted to try but you’ve been too nervous to ask for it – come and chat to us. No one should miss out on good food (or drink) because it’s too tricky for most of us to say!








Thursday 27 September 2018

Banish lunchtime boredom and say farewell to food envy!


Have you got ‘déjà-food’?

If you have, you’re not alone. According to new research from The New York Bakery Co, one in three Brits face ‘déjà-food’ on a daily basis by eating the same lunch on repeat.

It’s probably something we’re all a little bit guilty of – grabbing something quick or easy or falling back on old favourites. And there’s nothing wrong with that sometimes – but isn’t it good to mix things up from time to time? The research revealed that 80 per cent of us are bored by our lunchtime choices and one in 10 went so far as to say a bad lunch ruined their day. A tad dramatic maybe, but as food lovers we can sympathise.

Food envy was something the research covered and half of us admitted to suffering from the green-eyed monster. Seeing Susan from accounts tucking into last night’s leftover paella, suddenly your limp salad seems a bit dull. Not that we don’t like a salad, we love them – but you know the kind we mean, all soggy lettuce and no substance.

12.55pm is the time we’re all tucking in. There’s nothing worse than eating your lunch at 11.30am and then realising by 2pm that you’re ravenous again. Apparently three quarters of people take their lunch to work from home. Does that include people who work from home? And one in five admit to munching their lunch at their desks every day – which EVERYONE agrees is never a good idea. You’re never going to enjoy your lunch if you’re eating it one-handed whilst emailing your boss (or even surfing social media). Good food deserves your full attention. Sixty one per cent confessed to skipping lunch on a regular basis because they were too busy, which just makes us sad.

The research even revealed the favourite lunches from different cities around the UK. Who ate all the pies? Leeds apparently.
·        Manchester – just love a jacket potato
·        Leeds – pick up a pie (5 times a month)
·        Birmingham – bound to want burgers
·        London – love last night’s leftovers
·        Nottingham – so into sandwiches
·        Edinburgh – scoff sushi
·        Belfast – perfect lunch = pizzas
·        Cambridge – prefer paninis
·        Liverpool – have a passion for pasta

Helmsley didn’t feature in the list (how rude!). But if it did, we know exactly what would take top spot for lunchtime. Roast Beef and Horseradish deep filled sandwich on brown. Closely followed by our home roasted ham with salad on white. They’ve been our best sellers ever since we can remember. Closely followed by pies, sausage rolls and pasties. And rice and pasta and salads. Or soups. In fact, if you come to Hunters, there’s no need to have the same lunch two days in a month! ‘Déjà-food’? I don’t think so!

Thursday 6 September 2018

Move over Paul and Prue – there’s a new baking partnership in town!




Anyone who knows us knows we love nothing more than collaborating with other local businesses. Whether it’s through the wonderful Helmsley in Business Group, working with bakers and cider makers to create THE best pie available or partnering with ice cream aficionados and Sloe Gin specialists to sell the most mouth-watering soft serve in the North, we know we have some of the best food available on our doorstep and we want to celebrate it.

Selling exclusive products made by talented local businesses using local Yorkshire Ingredients? It’s what makes us Hunters.

So, we are delighted to announce that there’s an exciting new partnership between Hunters of Helmsley and Bakehouse in the Barn which will see us creating seasonal products using local ingredients, to be sold exclusively in our deli. We’ll also be giving our customers the recipe so they can try a spot of baking for themselves!

Bakehouse in the Barn, which is based in Hovingham, launched earlier this year to great acclaim, with award-winning baker Sophie Smith at the helm. Some of our regular customers might recognize Sophie, as she sometimes works with us in store.

The first item created specially by Sophie for Hunters is Pecan, Date and Banana Muffins, made with Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil from Thixendale. The bright yellow flowered rapeseed, highly visible across the region, is usually harvested around August and September in the Wolds. We’re going to be selling the muffins throughout September and October.

These lovely autumnal muffins are absolutely delicious – anyone who knows Bakehouse in the Barn and Sophie will know what a talented baker she is. They are dairy-free, making them suitable for those with a dairy allergy or vegans, and they are also free from refined sugar.

We asked Sophie what made her want to get involved: “It’s always a pleasure to work with Christine at Hunters, and I know they feel as passionately as I do about using wholesome and local ingredients where possible. These muffins are incredibly moist and moreish, with the lovely autumn flavours of dates and spices, but without being tooth-achingly sweet. It’s nice to be able to enjoy a cake without feeling like you’re being really naughty! The Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil is an excellent alternative to butter to make the muffins dairy-free, making them suitable for even more people to enjoy.”

Jennie Palmer at Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil added: “It’s always great to see our product being used in a wide variety of ways. People aren’t always aware of the multitude of delicious uses rapeseed oil has – and these muffins are some of the best we’ve tried! We were delighted when Hunters of Helmsley and Bakehouse in the Barn got in touch, as it’s always great to work with other local businesses to support each other. There’s so much great food in Yorkshire, and we’re always happy to be championing it!”

We’ll be introducing a new product every couple of months, with new local ingredients, so there will be lots of lovely new things to try over the coming year. Apparently Sophie is already thinking about the next idea – perhaps something festive for the run up to the Christmas season. Watch this space!

Recipe: Pecan, date and banana muffins
200g pitted dates
80g toasted, chopped pecan nuts, plus extra for topping
60g Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil
200ml water
200g very ripe bananas (3-4, depending on size)
100ml almond milk, unsweetened
2 tsp lemon juice
2 eggs, lightly beaten
130g wholemeal plain flour
1 tsp mixed spice
1½ tsp baking powder
2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tbsp honey

Method
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with muffin cases.
In a saucepan, cover the dates with the water and bring to the boil. Simmer until all the water is absorbed. Remove from the heat. Add the bicarbonate of soda; the mixture will froth as you stir it in.
In a separate bowl, mash the banana. Add the honey, oil, almond milk and eggs. Whisk to combine.
Pour the sludgy date mixture into the banana bowl. Sieve in the flour, spice and baking powder, add the nuts. Mix well.
Divide the batter between the muffin cases. Scatter the remaining pecans over the top of the muffins.
Bake for 20 minutes, until golden brown and springy on top.


Tuesday 21 August 2018

Get your bake on!




The Great British Bake Off is (nearly) back!

Tuesday August 28th is B-Day – 8pm. Put it in your diary!

There was a lot of chat before last year’s series about how it would fare on Channel 4, with the loss of the hilarious Mel and Sue, and of course the baker supreme that is Mary Berry.

But much to our surprise, we all loved it. Despite the annoying adverts. At least they gave you time to grab a cuppa and a biscuit to stave off the rumbling stomach brought on by looking at cakes and pastries for an hour.

There’s nothing like the Bake Off to get people talking – kids, parents, grandparents – a love of baking surpasses all genders and ages. Even if we’re no good at it, we can still appreciate when other people are. And who doesn’t love a great cake – from both a visual and gustatory perspective. We love the adverts for the GBBO, with Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful” accompanying a series of sorry looking bakes, which slowly change into an absolute masterpiece. Maybe the message is practice makes perfect and encouraging us all to don an apron and give it a go.

A recent report from social media experts Immediate Future, revealed that last year there were over 941,000 mentions of Bake Off just on Twitter alone, not even taking into account the other social media channels. People love to chat about the good and the bad, picking things up through the show, but also carrying on the conversation through the week – and throughout the entire series. In fact, the report demonstrated that the programme drives many wider conversations about baking and cooking all the way through until Christmas. 

We’re pretty sure that most offices experience an increase in home-made baking brought in during the series’ duration, as people are encouraged to dust off their mixing bowl and sieve and give baking a whirl. How hard can it be? Well, pretty hard if you’re looking at a technical challenge from Paul or a showstopper from Prue, but of course there’s no one timing you or insisting you don’t refer to a recipe in your kitchen. Unless it adds to the fun for you!

So, if the new series inspires you to give baking a go, come in and see us for some great ingredients to help make your own great signature bake. And if your baking is more about the taste than pristine appearance, we have some great decorations to add that finishing touch!

If you’re really more about the eating than the producing – never fear. We’ve got plenty of cakes, bakes, biscuits and pastries to keep you happy too. After all, an appreciation of baking has to work from both sides!


Saturday 18 August 2018

The last supper – what would you choose?




Some research caught our eye the other week about people’s ultimate ‘last supper’ meal.

We’ve certainly had this conversation many a time on long car journeys – if you were to know you had one meal left (or were to dine on just one meal for the rest of your life) – what would it be? Add in a starter, a dessert and drinks, possibly even create a whole day’s menu, and you’ve got yourself decision making and conversation to last from Helmsley to at least the Scottish border.

Anyway, in a poll of 2,000 people conducted by a company called wishLockr, the humble Sunday roast was named as Brits' ideal last supper. It’s a good call – it’s hard to beat a great roast with all the trimmings!

To be honest, everyone was playing it pretty safe with the top 10 choices with steak, fish and chips, a full English Breakfast and lasagne all scoring highly. No one wants to be counting the calories or worrying about the carb content if you know it’s the last meal you’re going to enjoy. Comfort food is definitely the name of the game it seems.

Takeaways also scored highly – pizza, curry, Chinese, KFC and MacDonalds. For your last ever meal?? I mean everyone likes a takeaway on a lazy Friday evening in front of the TV – but the last thing you ever eat, with money no object? (well if we’re letting our imagination run wild, why would we let bank balances get in the way?!)

In fact, the top 10, in order, were as follows:
1.      A roast dinner with all the trimmings
2.      Steak and chips
3.      Fish and chips
4.      Full English breakfast
5.      Chinese
6.      Pizza
7.      Curry
8.      KFC bucket of chicken
9.      McDonald's
10.   Lasagne

Apparently, and unsurprisingly, the results varied by age, with pizza topping the list for those under 25 and older respondents adding more traditional foods like pie or bangers and mash.

But it got us thinking about what we at Hunters might choose, so we asked the team!

Eliza – her Dad's homemade Moussaka 
Snowy – Steak & chips with mushrooms
Sarah - Italian feast of pasta and pizza
Bridget – Homemade lasagne
Margaret – Beef Bourguignon (don't forget the chilled Sauvignon on the side!)
Sue - Roast goose with all the trimmings

Luckily there’s no one telling us we can only eat one thing for the rest of our lives, so we don’t need to worry! There’s too much great food and drink out there to always have the same. Might go check out our shelves for some inspiration…

Friday 20 July 2018

Food myths – true or false?

I’m sure we’ve all heard lots of stories about food over the years which just aren’t true. Whether it’s someone telling you shouldn’t eat carbs or the child who thinks an apple tree will grow in their stomach if they swallow a pip, there’s food myths aplenty out there. And although some of them are linked to faddy diets and trends, others tales probably ones you heard as a youngster – and it seems many of us still believe them to this day!

A poll of 2,000 people commissioned by Spatone showed there was all kinds of old wives tales we’re not quite sure whether to buy into or not.

A third of people still believe chewing gum takes seven years to digest (it doesn’t). Also - carrots can’t help you see in the dark, sadly. But they are delicious (especially some of the carrot pickles we sell!), so we’re happy to keep trying.

Other people thought eggs were bad for you, due to high cholesterol – a theory which has been largely debunked in recent years. So, tuck into those boiled eggs and soldiers without worrying about it!

Some of the other false claims that people bought into included the fact skipping meals helps you lose weight, you should never eat after 8pm and that sugar gives you energy – which it may do temporarily, but it certainly isn’t the best way to boost yourself during that mid afternoon slump.

It’s definitely true that the story you read one day can be directly conflicted the next – if you were looking for information on whether a glass of red wine or a cup of coffee is good for you or bad for you, you could almost certainly find people claiming both to be true, with supposed research to back them up.

It can be confusing – so it’s no wonder people aren’t quite sure what to believe any more!

Our philosophy here at Hunters is everything in moderation. As long as you’re not overindulging on a frequent basis a little bit of what you fancy shouldn’t make you feel too guilty. Balance is the key. And often, if you really listen to your body, it tells you what you need. No, I really don’t think it’s saying you should eat that half pound block of cheese on your own, washed down with a bottle of red. Nice try though

Saturday 7 July 2018

The summer of love…. of good food and drink


Well it’s fair to say, we can’t whinge that we haven’t had a summer this year!

I don’t think anyone can quite remember a length of time when the sun shone so gloriously and for quite so long (apologies if we’ve jinxed it, but let’s face it – it’s got to turn as soon as the school holidays start. Six weeks of rain is every parent’s dream!). Most people agree it was June 1976 when we last had such a prolonged good spell of sunshine – in fact back 42 years ago there were 15 consecutive days when the temperatures hit above 32°c, which we’ve not quite managed yet in 2018.

The good weather combined with some key sporting events means one thing – outstanding food and drink should be on the menu.

It can be hard to think what you really fancy to eat when the temperature is soaring. Come see us and I guarantee we’ll find something which hits the spot!

But beyond that, there are barbecues and picnics taking place up and down the country at a rate unseen for decades. If England in the Quarter Finals and the sun out doesn’t send you straight to the nearest shop for Charcoal, you must be one of those organised types who already has a supply in. If you are cooking up a feast on the grills, then we have everything you need for the perfect finishing touches. Every kind of cheese you can think of, sauces, pickles, salads, dressings, marinades and oils galore. Gone are the days of a sad looking sausage and a burnt burger being enough.

And of course, a barbecue needs a fridge full of cool, refreshing drinks for the guests. Whether it’s beer, lager, wine, G&T, or a soft variety, we can help you keep glasses topped up with drinks that really hit the spot.

If football isn’t your thing, of course there’s also wonderful Wimbledon. An excuse to eat your own body weight in strawberries and cream. Take the theme a bit further and why not add in some Strawberry and Mint Jam for your morning toast, some strawberry vinegar for your salads, and some delicious Anton Berg Strawberry in Champagne chocolates, just because… and maybe a sneaky tub of strawberry marshmallows too. Yum.

And, of course, the ultimate sunny day food? Ice cream! Whether it’s a cone through our serving window, or a tub to take home, take your pick from the deliciously creamy Brymor range, made in Masham. How about classic creamy vanilla  or black cherry whim wham? We even have diabetic ice cream, so no one has to miss out on a cooling treat.

Make this the summer the one when you discover a new favourite – over to you!

Thursday 28 June 2018

Feeling stressed? Get baking!


What do you like to do to relax?

Sit down with a good book? Go for a swim? Watch some TV?

Well according to recent research, what many of us like to do to de-stress is bake. Which is handy as the rest of us like eating cake to help keep our spirits up too.

The study by food brand Dr Oetker showed that one in three of us bakes to bring down the stress levels after a day at work. It probably explains the copious amounts of cakes you quite often find in offices up and down the country – it’s always someone’s birthday after all.

Of the 2,000 amateur bakers questioned, two thirds thought baking improved their mood, making them happy, calm and focussed. More than half said they felt a real sense of achievement once they’d finished (presumably the other half enjoy baking but maybe aren’t so good at it….)

The vast majority of us – four out of five - like to follow a recipe to the letter. But we’re betting many of those recipes you can recall by heart as every home baker has a favourite or two they like to return to.  One in seven has a closely guarded family secret recipe – which is brilliant, and the kind of thing every family should have. Maybe just not like that Friends episode when it turns out Phoebe’s top secret family recipe for chocolate chip cookies is actually taken off the side of a packet of a well known brands’ biscuits.

Here at Hunters of Helmsley we have everything you might need to get your bake on. Lemon drizzle, millionaire’s shortbread, the good old Victoria sponge – the classics which have brought joy to generations. Or maybe you’re more adventurous and would give the Great British Bake Off showstoppers a run for their money?

From dozens of types of flour (coconut is proving very popular at the moment) to the finest sugar, from far flung ingredients to the prettiest (and tastiest) decorations, we want all your creations to be masterpieces. And no one is going to find after-work baking relaxing if they get to the cupboard and find half the ingredients aren’t there. So why not come and stock up? We’re always delighted to have a chat (and to try and get you to share granny’s secret Coffee Cake recipe).

And, of course, if baking isn’t your thing – never fear. We’ve plenty of delicious ready-to-eat cakes here for you too. How about Whitby Plum Loaf or lemon drizzle cake? I can feel myself relaxing already….


Sunday 17 June 2018

Pick up a perfect picnic


We love a good picnic. By “we” we mean the team at Hunters. But, also, us Brits generally. Despite a…. shall we say unreliable climate…. we love nothing more than dining al fresco when the weather permits.

The earliest picnics are said to date back to Medieval times, when hunting feasts would take place outdoors in both England and France. However, the modern term was not in common use until the mid-eighteenth century when the French began to pique-nique. It sounds so much better said in a continental accent. It comes from the word piquer, "to pick at food", and nique, meaning something small of no value.

In the Victorian and Edwardian eras, picnics became a lavish affair, pretty much transporting the whole dining room – and full 5-course meal – outdoors. It’s a little bit more laid back now, but still deserves some care and attention!

On average we apparently enjoy three picnics a year each – although probably if we added in all the impromptu buying and enjoying of food out and about it would be a lot higher. Eighty five per cent of us will enjoy at least one picnic over the summer holidays.

Which brings us to this week. It’s National Picnic Week from 15th to 24th June (yes for the eagle-eyed of you, that is indeed over a week. Sssshhhh).

According to the organisers, 50 years ago the nation’s favourite picnic food was a cheese sandwich and now it’s crisps. Crisps?! Now we love a crisp, don’t get me wrong. And, of course, they deserve a place in the picnic hamper – but as a side dish to the main affair surely?

Pies are something which have always been popular when it comes to picnics – right back to hundreds of years ago, when they could easily be popped into a pocket as a tasty snack on a day’s hunt. If you’re looking for a great pie for a picnic how about our Slow Roast Pork and Ampleforth Abbey Cider Pie? With a creamy, tangy filling, it’s one of our best sellers. A tasty veggie alternative would be the Curried vegetable  roll

Or perhaps a sausage roll or two – the Yorkshire Baker Hog Roast is delicious, or how about Sweet Chilli

Of course, a sandwich is always a winner on a picnic. Why not grab one of our deep-filled bread buns and split it with a friend? Roast beef and horseradish and the simple ham and salad are still our best sellers. And it’s best you eat them sitting down as they take some getting your mouth round.

For a lighter lunch, visit our deli counter and we can create a fresh, tasty salad for you, including all your favourite things. Or how about some cheeses and a pack of artisan crackers or some fresh bread and your choice of sweet or tangy chutney? Mouth watering yet…? We also have some fantastic own brand pates – bison with fried onions, or ostrich and blueberry – or how about the lobster terrine?

Don’t forget something sweet to finish off the meal. The Hunters of Helmsley range of biscuits includes Rhubarb and Custard flavour shortbread biscuits or lemon cookies  which are both incredibly moreish! Other sweet treats you could pack up without fear of crushing or melting are salted caramel brownies  or frangipanes .

And finally, you’ll need a drink or two – whether it’s the alcoholic or non-alcoholic you’re looking for, we’ve got a wide selection in store to quench your thirst.

Now all you need is the perfect picturesque picnic spot – and luckily Helmsley is full of those too! 

The retail Oscars – Hunters makes the shortlist!


We’re over the moon to have made the shortlist of another prestigious retail food award – way to go Team Hunters! *High Fives*

We’re delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted in The Guild of Fine Food’s annual Shop of the Year awards, which recognises and promotes excellence in independent retail.

Having made it through the first round, we will now undergo two further rounds of judging during the summer, including an announced visit from one of the judges and a mystery shop by Shopper’s Anonymous. Hopefully they’ll enjoy a visit and we’re sure any of our team that they speak to will be their usual friendly, helpful selves!

Previously forming part of the Great Taste accreditation scheme, Shop of the Year is dedicated solely to retail. Celebrating delis, farm shops, cheesemongers and more, Shop of the Year offers independent retailers like ourselves the chance to achieve a stamp of approval with real integrity, much like Great Taste does for food and drink products.

They’ll be judging us on everything from overall shopping experience and financial performance to staff training opportunities and environmental initiatives. The panel of highly experienced judges includes Edward Berry of The Flying Fork, Stuart Gates, who has worked for both Harrods and Fortnum & Mason, award-winning retailer Tracey Colley and Georgina Mason from Gonalston Farm Shop.

The final will be held on Thursday 20 September when the world of fine food gathers at No. 42 Southwark Street, the Guild of Fine Food’s London base, to find out the winners. Fingers crossed!

For almost 30 years, all of our wonderful team at Hunters (past and present) has worked extremely hard to build up a reputation for finding the very best food and produce for our customers and it’s always wonderful to receive recognition of that. We look forward to meeting the judges and talking them through the Hunters’ ethos. Wish us luck!


Friday 25 May 2018

Helping you free your food from Groundhog Day



We recently spotted a study which said that 90 per cent of Brits felt they were stuck in their very own version of Groundhog Day. (as an aside, got to love that film)

The study by Highland Springs seemed surprised that people left the house at the same time every day, took the same route to work and then got home and watched the same TV programme on an evening. It would seem odd to us if you were leaving home earlier than you needed to do a super long route to work, just to mix things up, but maybe that’s just us. And surely binge watching a series is what Netflix was invented for?

But the bits of the survey which caught our eye were the ones relating to (unsurprisingly) food.
Eight out of 10 people said they never varied from their weekly shopping list and only 16 per cent said they like to go crazy and try new things. A third of people said they ate the same breakfast every day, one in four ordered the same coffee and ate the same lunch and one in five said they cooked the same meals on rotation each week. One in 10 even admitted to always buying the same bottle of wine!

Now, we’re the first to admit that when you find a favourite thing it can be tempting to always keep going back to it. But it’s an instinct we’ve also learnt to resist! It’s part of our job to try new things and enjoy a variety of tastes. There’s so many amazing products out there and every ‘old favourite’ has to be a new thing tried at some point.

But it can take being pointed in the right direction. And that’s where we’re happy to help. Why not come and have a chat with us and we’ll help you figure out what might be the kind of thing you’d enjoy. We’re always getting exciting new products in which we love to shout about! And we’re always happy to help with advice on how to use or serve a product.

Whether you’re an adventurous chef, or someone who prefers to keep things nice and easy, we’ve loads of products in store to inspire you. Customers always say they can’t believe how much of a tardis the shop is – whatever you’re looking for, bet we can help.

So, hopefully see you soon – and we’ll help you break that Groundhog Day loop in the tastiest way possible!

Thursday 17 May 2018

The Invigorator– spreading positivity for British Sandwich Week!


British Sandwich Week starts on 20th May, and here at Hunters we do love a good sandwich! In fact, we sell a crumbworthy 50,000 every year.
We know everyone has their favourite sarnie – and it’s very hard to break the pattern of ordering the same one, every day. (when they’re as good as, say, our deep filled roast beef, you can be forgiven…)
But this British Sandwich Week, we’re urging customers to try something new. We reckon you’ll be happy you did - literally speaking!
To mark the week, we’ve added The Invigorator sandwich to our menu – a mood and energy boosting sandwich! And who doesn’t need a little boost every once in a while?
The Invigorator has been carefully created, with ingredients specially chosen because of their beneficial properties in relation to well-being, mood and energy levels. It’s no secret that certain nutrients, such as Vitamins B and D, zinc, calcium, iron and magnesium, which are found in abundance in lots of tasty fresh foods, can have a profound effect on brain function – so why not give your mind and body a treat?
The Sandwich includes:
* Ajvar – this Macedonian roasted red pepper spread is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, potassium, folate (Vitamin B9), and fibre. Red peppers offer almost 11 times more beta-carotene than the green ones.
* Houmous – houmous is a good source of protein and fibre, with chick peas providing high levels of iron, phosphorus and B vitamins.
* Rocket – this nutrient-packed green wonder contains large amounts of vitamins A, K and C, folate, calcium, iron, potassium and magnesium, as well as several beneficial phytochemicals.
* Pumpkin seeds – these little seeds pack a punch - they’re said to have more mood-boosting powers than any other food. Jam-packed full of nutrients, they are loaded with omega-3 and zinc which have been shown to improve moods; Magnesium, which helps reduce anxiety; and Tryptophan, the amino acid which helps the body make Serotonin, a neurotransmitter that boosts mood and can help you unwind.
* Served on sliced granary bread - wholewheat grains boost folate levels, and provide slow release energy, avoiding that mid-afternoon energy dip.
It’s healthy, vegetarian/vegan, good for the heart, super colourful and tastes great – which is vital, as it’s not going to boost anyone’s mood if you don’t enjoy eating it!
It is the perfect midday pick-me-up, to get your afternoon off to a great start – no mid-afternoon slumps in sight…
The sandwich is available from 20th May, freshly made to order at a price of £3.60.
So, if everyone in Helmsley suddenly looks a little chirpier and full of beans – you know why!

Monday 7 May 2018

Pop the champagne – we’ve made the shortlist for the Great British Food Awards!


We’re delighted to announce that we’ve been nominated for the Great British Food Awards for the third year running - but we do need to ask all of our fantastic customers a quick favour to help make sure we bring the trophy home to Helmsley later this year!

Hunters is nominated in the Best Independent Retailer category (North) and we’re one of six finalists, alongside some very tough competition. The voting is now open to members of the public, until 24th August 2018, at the website www.greatbritishfoodmagazine.com/awards. Not only would you be helping us out more than we can say, but there’s an added bonus for you too! Anyone who votes has a chance of winning £7,000 worth of prizes, such as kitchen gadgets and foody holidays. Top of the range ovens, cookware, nights away, kettles, BBQ appliances, hampers, booze, cookbooks – it all sounds pretty good we have to say!

The awards launched in 2014 to recognise the best in British food and drink, including restaurants, producers, chefs, food writers and retailers. There are 20 categories in total, and you can vote in them all or just the one (hint hint, nudge nudge).

We were genuinely stunned to make the shortlist for the third year running. It really does mean so much when we’re recognised for the hard work the team puts in – we love what we do, but of course, we want our customers to enjoy it just as much!

So, if you can spare two minutes, please do take a peek at www.greatbritishfoodmagazine.com/awards – and we’ll keep our fingers tightly crossed for the awards results later in the year!


Thursday 26 April 2018

To brew or not to brew – how do you make yours?


Last week was National Tea Day, and as you know, we conducted our very own in-store tea tastings. We wanted to see if people could spot the Yorkshire Tea at first sip (surely any self respecting Yorkshire man or woman could??). We’re pleased to say the vast majority did, earning themselves a free box of tea and – perhaps more importantly – a Yorkshire sticker to proudly display!

We enjoyed it and had a good giggle with our customers in store, chatting about how we like our brews - which is why a survey caught our eye that came out on the same day.

Apparently, according to Clipper Teas, we will each suffer through 9,828 disappointing cups of tea in our lifetime. How upsetting! We each drink on average 28 cups a week (4 cups a day) but at least three each week will fail to hit the spot.

We all have our own way of enjoying a cuppa and it is often a case of personal preference, but there’s some cardinal rules which should never be broken.

Apparently at least half of us have had to complain to a partner, friend or work colleague about their brew making efforts – or lack of them (we’ve all known that one person who never makes a round…)
But some of us are just too nervous to tell our loved ones (or the ones we share an office with all week) that we feel that way, preferring to just turn down the offer, or gulp back the offending item.

So, what were the top 10 complaints of the 2,000 people surveyed?
1.            Too weak – 36%
2.            Luke-warm – 35%
3.            Too milky – 30%
4.            Teabag not in for long enough – 26%
5.            Mug not been washed properly – 25%
6.            Incorrect amount of milk – 21%
7.            Cup is half empty – 20%
8.            Made with poor quality tea – 19%
9.            The cup is half full – 18% (although think that’s the same as half empty – just from the optimists rather than the pessimists)
10.         Too strong – 18%

But with there being a further 10 reasons why your cuppa might not be good enough – including leaving the teabag in too long, the milk was put in first, tea stains down the cup, chipped mugs, wrong type of milk, not enough or too much sugar, or the wrong brand of tea – you can see why tea making is a minefield!

Maybe I’ll just have a coffee…


Friday 20 April 2018

We’ve giving you the opportuni-tea to prove your Yorkshire-ness this National Tea Day!

Anyone who knows the team at Hunters knows we’re potty about a good cup of tea. (Geddit? Potty!) In fact, I’m pretty sure it’s part of the DNA of this country to want to put the kettle on in times of strife, or indeed joy. There’s never a bad time to put the kettle on, to be perfectly honest. Did you know, Brits are said to drink a teapot shattering 165 million cups of tea every single day? And, actually, with over 3,000 different varieties, tea is the second most widely consumed drink in the world, after water? Proof, if you need it, that’s it’s totally tea-rrific. So, we were overjoyed to hear National Tea Day was approaching! (It’s this Saturday – 21st April – just in case you hadn’t marked it in your diary. Sure you had though.) We didn’t want to let it pass without a little attention, so we’ve come up with our very own challenge, and we’re putting our customers to the test. Just how Yorkshire are you? (DUM DUM DUMMMMMM – that was dramatic TV gameshow style music, in case you were wondering) Throughout the day we’ll be asking customers in our store if they can spot the difference between a true Yorkshire brew and some imposters, in the form of a blind taste test. Don’t worry, you don’t need to wear a blindfold or anything. Unless you really want to. Yorkshire Tea will be up against two other popular teas – and we’re challenging you to pick out the genuine Yorkshire cuppa by taste and smell alone. Can you iden-tea-fy it? Just you wait – BBC One will have this as a tea-time quiz show before you know it. Those who succeed – as well as being able to walk around Helmsley with their head held high obviously – will also receive a gift box of Yorkshire Tea to take home and enjoy. Brew-tiful! And there’s also a Yorkshire sticker to proudly display on their lapel – telling everyone they’re a CHAMPION when it comes to tea. Of course, we know that everyone has their own personal favourite when it comes to a good cuppa, and there are literally hundreds of delicious teas available to suit everyone’s preferences. Whatever your favourite is – from chai or green to peppermint or good old English Breakfast, we’ve got the best of the best from around the world. We even sell 13 varieties as loose leaf tea from jars, by weight – shopping as it used to be! Must be time to put the kettle on?

Friday 23 March 2018

Hop to it! Can you find our missing Easter bunnies?


Helmsley detectives-in-the-making we need your help!

We’ve had an invasion…. somebunny’s stolen something!

You see, we had an Easter window display and in it were some Easter-related words. Well, 12 letters have disappeared – and we think we know who the culprits are.

We’ve spotted 12 Easter bunnies hiding around our store. They’ve taken a letter each and got it all jumbled up, so we can’t even remember what it’s supposed to say any more!

So, we’re asking visitors if they can give us a helping hand to find the rabbits and unscramble the word. If you manage to do it, you’ll get as Easter treat – as well as being entered into a prize draw to win a Lindt Easter goody bag. And believe us – that would be something eggstra special to unwrap!

The bunny hunt will take place from Monday 26th March to Monday 2nd April.

We’re grateful for any assistance you can provide, and there’s no pressure to contribute, but running alongside our bunny hunt, we’re doing a voluntary donation of 50p for charity. The charity we’ve chosen is the Helmsley Open Air Swimming Pool, which offers affordable outdoor swimming for the local community, and is so important to local families. It needs to raise funds for essential maintenance and renovations, so every penny helps.

As an aside for mums and dads - hopefully the missing bunnies will keep youngsters entertained for a little while, leaving you to shop in peace – hoppy Easter all round!



Monday 12 March 2018

A most eggcellent Easter


Sorry – it’s that time of year when we get over eggcited and the Easter puns come out in force. We try and resist, but then we crack. We’re not even yolk-ing.

Easter, like Christmas, is a time of good food and the coming together of family and friends. Perfect. And for those people who gave something up for lent – it’s the chance to enjoy whatever it is they’ve been missing. The most popular thing to give up is chocolate apparently – so what luck that Easter Sunday is one of only two (possibly three) days a year when it’s acceptable to eat chocolate for breakfast.

Here at Hunters we love looking for unusual Easter Eggs and treats – if you’ve done 40 days without, you want your first taste to be something eggstra special. We’ve searched the globe for the very best sweet treats to make your Easter.

All the way from Australia, we have a stunning box of nine chocolates from Xocolatl – master chocolatiers and fine artists. With a combination of six different colourful speckled eggs, and three chocolate Easter chicks, they are as beautiful as they are delicious.

Montezuma’s are one of the best British chocolatiers and they have some really lovely products this year.  The Eco Egg range comes in innovative eco friendly packaging – after all, those Easter eggs boxes and plastic shells can really mount up. The Eco Egg packaging is made of a sturdy biodegradable paper outer shell and a foil wrapping - no plastic in sight! Try the organic white chocolate with raspberry variety for a taste sensation.

Also from Montezuma, there is the Absolute Black Egg. Ideal for those who avoid dairy, sugar, gluten or soya, or who are just trying to make healthier food choices. It definitely has a dramatic cocoa hit – you have been warned!

Looking for something a bit sweeter? The Nutty Filled Chocolate Hen’s Eggs are lovely - three Hen-sized chocolate eggs filled with richest, decadent Praline - milk chocolate with orange and hazelnut, dark chocolate with almond and white chocolate with peanut butter.

If you’re not bothered about it being egg shaped, how about Peters Pecare Cassis Marc de Champagne, from Germany? Coming in a lovely tin, the slender, creamy white chocolate shell combines wonderfully with the zesty cassis and champagne centre. It’s making my mouth water!

Made in Cornwall, the handmade Buttermilk Artisan Confectionary eggs are delicious. The Caramel Sea Salt Egg is a Belgian chocolate egg, decorated with indulgent butterscotch chips and filled with a bag of buttery Caramel Sea Salt fudge which melts in the mouth.

So whatever Easter treat takes your fancy – we’re pretty sure we’ll be able to rustle something up to keep you happy! After all, we wouldn’t want any hot cross bunnies.