Premiere for Otterburn farmer's rare beef

Posted by The Journal on Nov 6, 09 02:05 PM in News

Diners in the North East held a special dinner and got their first taste of the prized Wagyu meat - described as the caviar of beef - produced by an Otterburn farmer.

Cafe 21 on Newcastle Quayside was turned in to a Wagyu steakhouse for one night only earlier this week as diners feasted on the sweet and succulent beef.

Originally bred in Japan and more commonly known as Kobe beef, the cattle have been reared in the Northumberland hills by pioneering farmer Steve Ramshaw.

The cattle have been three years in the growing from gestation, fed on grass and finished on grain.

Steve, who farms at Monkridge Hill near Otterburn, spent the family silver on importing selected pure-bred Wagyu cattle from North America. In doing so he has became one of the first in the UK to produce the world-famous beef.

And Terry Laybourne earmarked the first animal to be produced for Cafe 21.

The rare Wagyu cattle is renowned as the best eating beef in the world. It is noted for its delicate texture, extreme marbling, exceptional tenderness and deep flavour.

"It is known for its tenderness, juiciness and taste. It's something special and I'm excited to see people's reactions to the meat," said Steve, who has a herd of 20 Wagyu cattle, and also breeds Aberdeen Angus beef and rare-breed pork on his 1,000-acre farm.

"It's best described as the caviar of beef. It's set a new benchmark. In Japan they even massage them, but here they are grass-grown and finished on a really good diet. It's a big gamble but we are confident the market is ready for it."

Plans are in the offing for another Steakhouse Night at Cafe 21 nearer Christmas.

We'd like to hear from you.
Send your stories, pics and videos