We’ve found ourselves venturing to Burton Road in Neepsend on more than a few occasions in the recent past. The street has become a real hive of independent activity, with Peddler Night Market, Yellow Arch Studios, The Village Screen, Nether Edge Pizza Co. and The Depot Bakery all either permanently or periodically calling it home.
And the candle-lit, cosy comfort of The Depot Bakery is where we found ourselves one Friday evening in March, but this time we were preparing to enjoy an evening of fine dining at the first Stiff Peaks Pop-Up.
In a nutshell, Stiff Peaks is a collaboration between two chefs, Florence Hillier and Henry Russell, who bonded over a shared interest in ferret-legging (I’ll let you Google that) whilst working at Moro Restaurant in London. Thankfully the pair had the good sense to move to Sheff and brought their love of all things food with them.
Their plan was to present a seasonal menu comprised of Yorkshire’s finest food but with a twist, so naturally Flo and Henry sourced all the food and drink served on the night from local, independent traders, with beer from Turner’s Bottle Shop, wine from Starmore Boss, fish from JH Mann, veggies from The Moor Market, and mutton and rabbit from Swaledale Foods.
We’d opted for the meaty version of the menu but there was also a delectable vegetarian option which our table-buds thoroughly enjoyed. The menu was quirky and interesting without sacrificing substance, and the food was prepared and cooked to perfection, with the liquorice-cured mackerel and roasted mutton leg being particular highlights.
We left feeling happily full and fortunate to live in a place where fantastic food is so bountiful, and we’re certainly looking forward to the next instalment of Stiff Peaks.
Email: stiffpeakspopup@gmail.com
Instagram: @stiffpeakspopup
Words: Felicity Jackson
Images: Mike Smith
