A pig called iPod

A restaurant is stepping up its efforts to become self-sufficient under the guidance of its owner’s 11-year-old son.

Charlie Hird – whose parents Mark and Nicola own the Italian Farmhouse at West Rainton, in the North East – has started to raise a herd of rare breed pigs that will supply meat to the eatery or be sold directly to customers.

‘I was a little concerned about Charlie getting too attached to the pigs at first and strongly advised him not to form any bonds or give them names,’ said Mark.

‘However, I was promptly told that the animals had already been given names, which reflected what they meant to him. It was a bit of a surprise, however, to find out that these were things like IPod, in honour of what he intended to buy with the proceeds of their sale.’

Both Mark and his entrepreneur son had to complete a special pig-keeping course so that they could look after their 12 saddlebacks and one Gloucestershire Old Spot breeding sow.

The saddlebacks will be humanely slaughtered early next year and sold as full or half carcasses butchered into various ready-to-cook joints. The remainder will be used to create some of the authentic Italian cuisine served at the farmhouse.

‘The launch of Charlie Hird’s Rare Breed Pork represents the start of a long-term plan to make the Italian Farmhouse as self-sufficient as possible, and reflects the growing demand among customers to know exactly where their meat came from,’ Mark continued.

Anyone wanting to find out more about the rare breed pork, or to purchase the meat, should email Mark at markhird1@me.com.

For details about sustainability at the Italian Farmhouse visit www.theitalianfarmhouse.co.uk or telephone 0191 584 1022.