Meet Steve Reid, owner and founder of Friars Farm and Northampton Charcuterie Company

Steve is the epitome of a foodie.

Someone who not only enjoys good food, but appreciates the time, energy and effort it takes to making good food. This is reflected in the variety of produce he makes including chutneys, sauces, cheese and cured meat.

He started off making chutneys from his home ‘Friars Farm’ as well as making salamis as a hobby. The business has grown massively since then, housed now in the Phipps Brewery in Northampton Town centre.

When Steve hit retirement age, he had a choice; Kick back and relax or plough on and develop his business.

He has invested in some pretty swish catering fridges to cure salami, chorizo and ham, with the pork and beef being sourced from local producers from across Northamptonshire and Midlands. Presented nicely in a display pack, Steve has clearly thought about how to get his product to market and the branding surrounding the business itself.

Walking into the cold store, Steve has some pretty impressive cheese rounds maturing. He specialises in Cheddars, Red Leicester, Wensleydale and some soft red blue cheese with names that give a nod to Northamptonshire’s heritage; Hop Nail, All Saints, Clickers and Becketts. Pasteurized milk is sourced from a dairy over in Hinckley. Leicestershire, who also sell direct to customers rather than processors.

Moving through the workshop, there are a vast array of awards. Steve’s cheese has scooped various accolades at The Melton Mowbray Cheese Festival, Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards and The International Cheese Awards.

Being in food processing and added value produce has been hard graft, Steve points out. Many long hours and helping other small businesses out, has helped him to keep his offering alive.

A recent opportunity came about before Christmas to open a pop up shop in the Milton Keynes shopping centre. Branded as ‘The Artisan Collective’ Steve worked with others to stock a variety of local produce including sauces, chutneys, cheese, honey and dog treats to pick up the Christmas gift trade.

This has helped to save many of the small producers who were unable to attend and staff numerous markets.

For more information on Northampton Charcuterie Company visit: https://northamptoncharcuterie.com/



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