News | Stalham Farmers' Club | Leading speakers from the agricultural industry.

Guy Paterson's CLA Game Chef Article. I've always loved cooking and have got into deer management. My father (James) saw the advert in the EDP in April for 'The CLA Game Chef of the Year' and said I should enter. I had five days to put together my application which included a 2minute video, unique recipe and CV.I made it through to the next round, where I had to cook a dish based on game. I had no idea what the competition would be like as it was opened to all. I wanted to push myself to cook something I was proud of and through would be up with the best. We have a number of wild deer on the farm, the most common is the Muntjac and can be shot year round. I spent a long time thinking about my dish and after many days I had something I was excited about. I called it a 'Trio of Muntjac'. I shot and butchered a Muntjac for my recipe the Saturday before the competition.
I had to drive for almost 4 hours to get to the cookery school where the competition was being held, luckily my girlfriend Rosie accompanied me. When I arrived I met the competition which consisted of three professional chefs and a vet. I was a little nervous but better than I thought I would be for my first cooking competition. We all had a brief chat than started cooking, we had one hour. The picture below is the dish I served on the day. The judging panel was made up of three, a Michelin starred chef, a magazine editor and the competition organiser. The level of cooking wasincredible! I was very pleased with my dish but was not sure how I would compare with the professionals. The judging panel couldn't make a decision on the day as there was another group to cook later that week. Two weeks later I received an email saying I was through to the finals at Blenheim Place. I was quite literally over the moon! I'm cooking live at the CLA game fair on the weekend of the 18-20th July.

Entry added: 30 May 2014

A very successful Annual Dinner was held at Sutton Staithe last night where Stephen Bett gave an enlightening speech and then awarded the cups and trophies which can be viewed on the cups and trophies page on the left. One main highlight was the Clay Pigeon Shooting Barclays Bank Trophy which was won by Stalham this year.

Entry added: 13 Mar 2014

The 172nd AGM of the club was held at Sutton Staithe and the Chairman gave a great report of the activity the club had been doing during his chairmanship. The secretary and treasurer also gave their reports and then Tom Bradshaw gave a very interesting view on soil science which he gained during his Nuffield Scholarship around the world and he now implements on his Essex farm.

Entry added: 13 Feb 2014

Bowls Results: An excellent evening was enjoyed by both Holt and Stalham Farmers'Clubs at Rossis Leisure but unfortunatly Stalham lost to Holt Convincingly in the carpet bowls but the 10 Pin was much closer with Stalham 3403 and holt 3551. John Tallowin was Stalham's highest scorer with 174 and Holt's High score was Martin Jenson with 151! Considering he was in Australia this was no mean feat!!!!!!!!!

Entry added: 08 Feb 2014

The clay Pigeon Shoot is organized for Friday 6th June.

Entry added: 07 Feb 2014

Trophies:- In order for trophies to be engraved, could they please be returned at the next meeting on Wednesday 12th February. Thanks.

Entry added: 31 Jan 2014

The Club is planning an away trip on the 3rd and 4th June. The itinerary is visit P G Rix at 9.30 on the 3rd followed by Peter Philpott in the Afternoon. The second day will start with a visit to A W Mortier Farms, arangements are still being made for the afternoon.If you are interested please let the Chairman or secretary know.

Entry added: 23 Jan 2014