If you're not going out to hunt your dinner, you're going to need to know where to get your hands on some game. We share with you our favourite suppliers of British Game.
Sourcing game is a task not to be taken lightly. Both age and provenance of these animals play a huge role in the overall quality, flavour and texture of the meat. Whilst supermarkets have begun to dabble with game, the majority of it is farmed and can come from outside the UK. Your best bet is to visit a decent butcher or game dealer; here you will be able to find out how long the animal has been hung for, the sex (flavours between male and female birds can vary) and depending on how you want to cook your game, you might want to know the age of the animal. The British Association of Shooting and Conservation holds a list of accredited game dealers throughout the UK and is also a great place to start if you would like to know more about game and countryside management. Below, we share a few of our favourite producers and suppliers of game.
Ridley’s Fish & Game
Based near Acomb, Northumberland, David and Carolyn Ridley took over the game dealership in 1991, but the business actually dates back to 1914. “We know exactly where all our game comes from,” says Carolyn. “Everything is completely traceable. We dress everything ourselves and we don’t freeze in the feather.” The later point is an important one, as due to the leanness of game, freezing can sometimes vastly alter the texture of the meat. The Ridley’s and their highly sought after game can be found not only at their unit in Acomb, but at farmers markets across the North East, and, on occasion, London’s Borough Market. Be sure to sample some of Carolyn’s beautiful game in her pies, casseroles and terrines. You won’t be disappointed.
Yorkshire Game Ltd
A prefered supplier among the country’s top chefs, Yorkshire Game are renowned for the quality of their meat and their ability to source even the most evasive of hunted animals. From woodcock and snipe to teal, widgeon and grouse, Yorkshire Game are your best bet. Their sister mail order company, The Blackface Meat Company, offer next day delivery on some of the more popular varieties including hare, rabbit, pheasant, grouse, partridge, venison and wild duck.
Fletchers of Auchtermuchty
Nicola Fletcher is a highly respected authority when it comes to the welfare, rearing, and most importantly cooking, of venison. On their eighty acre farm in Auchtermuchty, near Fyfe in Scotland, Nicola and her husband John have been producing some of Britain’s finest farmed red deer for over forty years. During this time they have acquired a slew of awards for their venison and have an army of devoted followers that includes Rick Stein, Delia Smith and Sophie Grigson.
W Pattersons Butchers
Established in 1902 and situated on the fringe of the New Forest, Pattersons is a game dealing institution. On any given day you’ll see a few brace of pheasant and a couple rabbits hanging up in this fourth generation family butchers in Ringwood, Hampshire. Expect to be loaded with information far beyond just how many days your meat has been hung; from the animals diet to the estate it came from, Patterson’s has had a steady flow of customers queued right out the door for well over a hundred years. For the best in south coast game and some fast-paced insight into their produce, you need look no further.