We make a ‘reet* Yorkshire pudding here at York Racecourse – and we will have produced more than 80,000 just this year!
Each November our chefs make some 670 alone for the York Sportsman’s Lunch in York Racecourse’s Voltigeur Suite! The event launched in 2005 and founded by businessman and passionate sports enthusiasts Mark Pepper and Nick Elliot. It is collectively known as Sporting Connexions. This event held annually at York Racecourse, and is so popular it sells out fast. We typically have quite a waiting list of hopefuls on the sidelines too (pardon the sporting pun)!
Held at York Racecourse in aid of charity, every year since its inception, the York Sportsman’s Lunch list of beneficiaries has grown and continues to do so. Organisations both locally and nationally have been fortunate to receive funding. Previous recipients include: Royal British Legion, RNLI, Charlie Dallas Lancaster Foundation, SASH, York RUFC, Shelter, Pancreatic Cancer UK and many more. Speakers at these events from the world of rugby union have included Martin Johnson, Lawrence Dallaglio, James Haskell, Dylan Hartley, Francois Pienaar and Brian O’Driscoll. Sporting Connexions also continue to support Kevin Sinfield on his fundraising for MND.
This year, our York Racecourse guests enjoyed a delicious home-cooked three course lunch by resident caterers York Racecourse Hospitality and CGC Event Caterers. The meal was followed by a talk by Andrew Mehrtens. Former player for New Zealand All Black, Mehrtens went on to star at the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa. He helped guide the All Blacks all the way to the final. Over the next decade, he would become one of the most influential first five-eighths in New Zealand rugby history. He scored an incredible 994 points for the All Blacks in all matches. Comedian Simon Evans also entertained, while British sportswriter and former TV show presenter Tanya Arnold hosted the proceedings.
A word from our Executive Chef, Chris Scott:
“People often ask me for tips and tricks. So, I tell them to always use the best ingredients and to keep it simple. For example, my Yorkshire pudding recipe is just 3+3+3 – flour, eggs and milk, measured in a cup. Easy!”
* “Reet” is a Yorkshire dialect word for “right” or “correct,” so “reet Yorkshire pudding” means “correct Yorkshire pudding”.
