Leicester is the largest city in the East Midlands, and one with a rich history. Originally an Iron Age settlement, it has since been held and developed by the Romans, the Anglo Saxons and the Vikings. It expanded further in size during the Middle Ages, and by Victorian times it was an important industrial hub, before finally gaining city status in 1919.
Throughout the ages the city has had numerous claims to fame, most recently as the resting place of Richard III, as well as Leicester City’s 2016 Premiership victory.
But let’s not forget about Leicester’s rich culinary tradition too, with several famous foods citing the area as their birthplace. So, without further introduction, let’s take a tour through some of the most famous food Leicester has given us.
And don’t forget to check out The Roasting Pig for expert catering across Leicester.
Red Leicester
Leicester’s cheesy namesake traces its origins back to the 17th century, where it was developed in farms around the county. The orange appearance was originally achieved with the addition of carrot or beetroot juice in an attempt to make the product appear richer and creamier, although today, the iconic colour is produced using a condiment called Annatto.
Typically aged 6 to 12 months, Red Leicester offers a slightly sweet and nutty taste, similar to cheddar but with a milder flavour and crumblier texture. A popular choice with cheese-buyers across the country, it’s perfect for a cheeseboard, pasta bake, or as the base for a cheesy dip.
Stilton
The second famous cheese from the region, this blue-veined cheese is actually of joint heritage. Eagle-eyed geographers will note that the town of Stilton is in fact in Cambridgeshire, but the cheese itself shares its origin with Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Although the famous cheese recipe was invented in the eponymous Cambridge town, it was then trusted to these three Midlands counties for production with their own local produce.
Now the holder of a ‘Protected Designation of Origin’ by the European Commission, Stilton can only be named as such if made in Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire or Derbyshire.
Melton Mowbray Pork Pie
The market town of Melton Mowbray can be found in the Melton district of Leicestershire, around 19 miles north-east of Leicester.
Made to a specific ‘hand-raising’ recipe, the famous Melton Mowbray pork pie boasts a distinctive crust and shape, as well as a meaty filling which is chopped rather than minced. The Melton pie is another food with protected status, and can only be bade in a specific local zone using uncured pork.
Although these pies can be found in most supermarkets, visitors to Melton Mowbray can drop into ‘Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe’ which claims to be the spiritual home of the product, tracing its roots back to 1851.
Walkers Crisps
Leicester may not have invented the humble crisp itself, but it is home to one of the nation’s favourite brands. Situated in Leicester, the Walkers factory churns out 11 million bags of crips per day, using 800 tons of potatoes. Even more amazingly, the production line can transform raw potatoes to a finished bag of crisps in just 35 minutes.
Founded in 1948 by Henry Walker, it offers a core range, flag-shipped by Ready Salted, Salt & Vinegar and Cheese & Onion. However, Walkers regularly innovate with new flavours to commemorate various events, or via the ‘Do Us A Flavour’ customer challenge. Walkers crisps are a versatile snack, but we recommend they are best enjoyed on the side of a Red Leicester sandwich, next to a slice of Melton Mowbray pork pie.
Catering for Leicester and Beyond
If we’re discussing great food in the Leicester area, we can’t help but mention The Roasting Pig. If you’re looking for top-class event catering in Leicester and surrounding areas, then be sure to contact us. From our famous hog roast to medieval banquets, to authentic stone-based pizza, we serve up the freshest locally sourced products, perfect for weddings, birthdays, graduation parties and more. Drop us a message to request a quote.