Member Article

Italy trip leads to Teesdale's first salami

An award-winning farmer and his wife from Teesdale have fulfilled their dream of making their own salami and parma ham. Matthew and Tracy Betney of Broom Mill Farm near West Auckland have produced speciality sausages and meats for 15 years but wanted to create their own Teesdale salami.

Teesdale Marketing, the organisation marketing the area, stepped in to help and supported the couple. The organisation helped to source one of Italy’s foremost salami producers. Through Teesdale Marketing the Betneys were able to visit the Pallavicina Estate in Parma, on the River Po, where gourmet hams and salamis have been produced by the Spigaroli family for three generations.

Matthew Betney said: “We have a great appreciation of good quality food and pass on our enthusiasm to customers via our products. I had wanted to create a salami for a long time but was unsure exactly how to go about it and the Spigarolis were very generous with their advice.

“Overall I learnt about practical production techniques and subjects such as Italian flavours. I was most impressed by their tremendous attention to detail and their passion for their products. That is something we definitely we will continue to cultivate in our business.”

David Blackie, Teesdale Marketing Director, said: “The Broom Mill Farm product has been synonymous with great quality for a number of years and we were keen to help them build on the success and expand their operation. Their new range of salami and hams will help to put Teesdale on the national culinary map as there are very few firms who make their own salamis over here. We were delighted to help them fulfil their dream.”

As well as selling produce in their new shop, the Betneys have stalls at 15 farmers markets around the North East. For more information call 01388 834564.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .