Christmas at Bettys is both homegrown and distinctly continental. Stollen and shortbread tempt alongside fondant fancies, fruitcake and Fat Rascals. Tea-room blend is to be taken with lebkuchen, while hand-foiled milk chocolate guineas can be exchanged for a white chocolate franc. Enjoy Florentines from the Ilkley Hamper, Yorkshire gingerbread and the Swiss Grand Cru Bettys Express with a slice of chocolate sachertorte or soft iced Christmas cake. Celebrating its centenary this year, Bettys offers a masterclass in festive feasting.
Founded in 1919, there are six Bettys Café Tea Rooms across Yorkshire today, as well as a craft bakery, cookery school and thriving online service. The unusual Swiss-Yorkshire heritage is rooted in legend. Fritz Bützer, a Swiss baker and confectioner who later changed his name to Frederick Belmont, travelled to England in 1907 but lost his destination address en route. Unable to speak a word of English, a kindly local translated ‘bratwurst’ (German for sausage) for Bradford and put him on a train. “In 1907, he came to Yorkshire. After falling in love and marrying, and a short stint as a chocolate consultant, he finally opened his beloved Bettys,” explains Bettys’ archivist, Mardi Jacobs. “The rest, as they say, is history.”
“Our Swiss-Yorkshire heritage is in our blood and influences a lot of what we do, from Swiss-inspired dishes on our menus to our warm Yorkshire welcome,” explains managing director Simon Eyles. Welcoming more than two million visitors a year, Bettys’ most popular offerings are afternoon tea and Swiss rösti, and they sell 8,500 of their world-famous Fat Rascals a week. It is demand that only a bespoke machine can satiate, making 480 Fat Rascals every 10 minutes before they are hand finished.
Denne historien er fra December 2019-utgaven av The Field.
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Denne historien er fra December 2019-utgaven av The Field.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Strength in Numbers -The success of Britain's growing band of Farmer Clusters shows the value in working together and engaging with the public in the name of conservation, says Gabriel Stone
In a world that leans into gloomy headlines, it's important to wave the flag for a refreshing success story. That's especially the case when it comes to our overburdened farming sector and the wider way in which we manage the landscape. Yes, we: everyone can play a role, not least through one inspirational initiative. Ever since a 2013 pilot project by the GWCT in association with Natural England, Farmer Clusters have mushroomed across Britain. Led by farmers with guidance from expert advisers, today's network of about 125 clusters encourages a cohesively managed, locally tailored, larger-scale approach to conservation work.
Going over old ground
Forget modern tractors and minimum tillage - there is something glorious about the sight of farmer, horse and vintage plough in perfect harmony
Return of the natives
There is nothing as satisfying as creating a magical miniature woodland or conservation hedgerow using our native trees - and now is the best time to start.
Tagging the Cornish tunny
Enormous Atlantic bluefin tuna are once again making waves in UK waters almost a century after their showstopping appearance in the North Sea
In it for the long haul
It may have fallen out of favour at the elite level but long-format three-day eventing is still proving popular with grassroots riders
Unpicking the story of hunt buttons
These treasured tokens are bestowed only upon those who go above and beyond in service of their hunt but the rules around them can be complex
A place of tradition in the heart of town
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Don't play it by ear
Hearing loss can have a devastating impact on day-to-day life, making ear protection a non-negotiable piece of field kit
Back to base-ics
Britain's famously unpredictable climate can make staying comfortable in the field a challenge but the right under layers can be a game changer
Stand and deliver
A good stance provides the platform for shotgun marksmanship and is fundamental to consistent success in the field or breaking clays