Grimsby butcher wins pork product of the year

This time it was their 'Lincolnshire Yellow Belly Pie' that impressed the judges and secured the company's position as overall champion once more. John Pettit & Sons also won the 'Best Cold Eating Product' category with a 'Beaujolais Terrine' while also taking second place with a 'Bloody Mary Parcel' in the 'Best Innovative Pork Product' category. Proprietor John Pettit was delighted with the results and said: "To be crowned overall champion for the second year running is just wonderful. "The recipe for our pork pie is based on one that my grandfather was using when he opened the business back in 1892 and the yellow belly pie has essentially evolved from that. But for the competition we swapped the plain pastry lid for a cheese one. "It's a truly local product containing Lincolnshire farm assured outdoor reared pork and is topped with Lincolnshire Smoked Poacher Cheese. The name 'yellow belly' actually comes from the Lincolnshire Regiment who wore yellow tunics as part of their uniform – and the regional link along with the matching colour of the cheese seemed rather apt. "Now that the 'Lincolnshire Yellow Belly Pie' has the BPEX seal of approval we'll be putting it into full production next week so that all our customers in the foodservice and retail sectors can take advantage of this delicious award-winning product." The competition generated 91 entries from butchers and caterers nationwide that supply the foodservice industry. The Foodservice Pork Product of the Year competition recognises and rewards product excellence and innovation in six separate categories: Fresh Pork Cut, Pork Ready Meal, Best Cold Eating Product, Pork and Pastry, Best Cured Product and Best Innovative Pork Product.