Tetford Longhorn best in steak stakes

THE best steak in Britain is from our area – it's now official.

Sales of the rare breed Longhorn steak have increased fourfold after it was awarded the title of The Best Steak in Britain.

Meridian Meats in Louth has received orders from all over the country after its Longhorn steak claimed the title in a competition run by Country Life magazine.

The steak, which was taken from a 20-month-old cow raised on Meridian Meats' farm in Tetford, was hung for two and a half weeks before being judged against steaks such as the Beef Shorthorn from Bedfordshire, the Hereford from Herefordshire and the famous Aberdeen Angus.

"The aim of the competition was to highlight that Britain has these breeds and that the meat from them does taste different," said Mark Hedges, editor of Country Life magazine.

"I had been aware for a long time that when you go to the supermarket there are different varieties of apples, carrots and potatoes but only one choice in beef, lamb or chicken."

Country Life approached Meridian Meats above other Longhorn suppliers in the country because of its reputation as an award-winning butchers.

The winning steak was judged by a panel of experts which included local food campaigner the Countess of Cranbrook, the chief executive of Waitrose Mark Price, celebrity chefs Fergus Henderson and Mark Hix as well as Mr Hedges and other representatives from Country Life.

"What I really liked about the Longhorn steak was the depth of flavour that the others couldn't match," said Mr Hedges.

"It was absolutely sublime. Its meatiness was absolutely outstanding. I hadn't seen Lincolnshire as a steak-producing area before this competition, I had thought it was better known for arable farming."

Meridian Meats, the only Traditional Breeds Meat Marketing butchers in the county, has been rearing Longhorn cattle for 16 years.

After it was approached by Country Life to supply Longhorn steak the first it heard of its success was when they picked up a copy of the magazine.

"We know we sell good stuff but we were so proud to have won. I think it reflects well on the county too," said Meridian Meats' butcher Jim Sutcliffe.

To celebrate this prestigious title, Meridian Meats is running a competition to coincide with National Butchers Week (March 16 – 21), to find the best recipe using minced beef.

To win a meat hamper worth £50 from Meridian Meats, entries should be posted in the competition box, in the shop at 108 Eastgate, Louth, no later than March 21.