I love my job. I get the opportunity to work with really talented chefs and food producers, whose passion for food is tangible from the moment you first meet them.
This is one of a series where Karen Turner recommends some of the finest food in York
Karen is a specialist food photographer based in Yorkshire
Find out more about Karen and her work on her website
In my experience the top people working in the food industry, have a common motivation: the desire to make people happy.
And the reward from seeing the smiling faces of those eating at the legendary Mannion & Co on Blake Street couldn’t be more evident.
Unbelievably I hadn’t visited this foodie’s favourite as a customer before my shoot for chef Andrew Burton. However, after having been introduced to the mouthwatering food in his York and Helmsley bistros, I now can’t keep away.
Here are my favourite three dishes from Mannion & Co’s wonderful mix of Yorkshire and Mediterranean flavours.
1. Decadent eggs
I can’t resist Eggs Benedict and these are perfection. The combination of freshly baked bread, finest Yorkshire ham, soft and runny poached eggs with Hollandaise sauce is such a decadent treat (£8).
The tang of vinegar and lemon in Andrew’s silky, buttery sauce does it for me every time, my favourite weekend breakfast… Or meal at any time if truth be told!
2. A delectable combination
Another serious winner on the comfort food scales is Mannion’s Yorkshire Rarebit (£8.50).
A delectable combination of strong cheddar, beer, mustard, Lea & Perrins, eggs and chives; smothered over toast and crispy smoked bacon, and then grilled to perfection (with those totally addictive gooey cheesy bits on the edges; almost burnt but not quite…)
Give me a plate of this on any winter’s day and I feel cosseted and content.
3. Platter perfection
One of Andrew’s legendary creations (inspired by his love of al fresco dining whilst on holiday with his wife Lucy) are Mannion’s humongous Sharing Boards (£19.50).
A selection of the finest continental meats and cheeses, topped with caperberries, sun-dried tomatoes, balsamic pickled onions, gherkins and olives; with a pot of Mannion’s secret recipe tomato chutney on the side.
All mopped up with freshly baked salty focaccia… you need serious appetites to tackle one of these monsters!
*Prices correct at the time of publishing.