TV Chef opens Yorkshire village shop
A TV Chef is doing his bit for his local community by opening a brand new village shop selling Yorkshire produce.
Tim Bilton, who runs The Butchers Arms at Hepworth, has opened his own shop and deli called TB's Pantry in his award winning pub. The shop will stock basic essentials such as good quality bread, milk, eggs, fruit and vegetables, plus a range of local Yorkshire specialities including Yorkshire Tea and Tea Loaf. Tim has also been foraging for autumn fruits and berries in the fields and hedgerows around the village to produce his own special selection of jams, chutneys, pickles and infused oils. There is also a fantastic range of 'foodie' hampers.
Tim says "Some people might think it's a bit mad to open a shop in the current economic climate, but our aim with TB's Pantry is mainly to provide a service for the local community, as there's no other shop in Hepworth. Now villagers won't have to get in their car and drive for miles just to buy a pint of milk! We'll even be selling stamps too. However, we do also hope that any visitors to the area might be tempted in to sample some of the fantastic Yorkshire produce on offer. Our hampers will make brilliant Christmas presents for lovers of good food!"
Since taking over the Butcher's Arms in 2008 Tim has worked hard to make it a focal point for the village of Hepworth and was instrumental in reviving the famous Hepworth Feast. Originally held each year to mark the anniversary of the Great Plague, the tradition had died out, but was reinstated last year in style by Tim with a spectacular hog roast.
In addition to celebrating the opening of TB's Pantry, Tim has also just learned that he will feature again this year in the BBC TV show Great British Menu alongside fellow Yorkshire chefs Andrew Pern of the Star Inn at Harome and Stephanie Moon of Rudding Park near Harrogate.
"I'm honoured and delighted to be invited back onto Great British Menu" says Tim. "Last year the show's judges really seemed to like my signature venison dish, and I can't wait to pull out all the stops again this time to showcase some more of the fabulous produce we have here in Yorkshire".
Meanwhile, Tim is focussing his efforts on making The Butcher's Arms the hub of the picture postcard village of Hepworth. "Who knows" he says "Perhaps TB's Pantry will provide the fine Yorkshiremen of this parish with the perfect excuse to slip into the bar for a cheeky pint under the pretext of popping out to buy a pint of milk or a book of stamps!".
For more details about the Butchers Arms, Hepworth, see: thebutchersarmshepworth.co.uk
