TAKING the taste of Yorkshire to the whole country is the next step for one local company, but it will take it to the Eat Local Banquet first.

Local beef producer and supplier Yorkshire Beef is to provide one of the main courses for the Evening Press - Dean Court Eat Local Banquet to be held on May 15.

They are going to do what they do best, providing the archetypal Yorkshire dinner - "deluxe" Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding - with proper gravy.

Once the banquet is over, the next step is to conquer the internet.

"We decided to introduce an internet site to really branch out, we supply 50 butchers around the county, they know and we know it is great quality meat," said managing director Michael Harrison.

"Now we want to get Yorkshire beef to a much wider market, and to hotels and restaurants around the region, and the Eat Local Banquet is a great start for that."

The company will launch an internet site this summer, but has already been given the seal of approval by our readers.

Anne Bradley, of Wilberfoss, said: "It is hung for 14 days, tastes wonderful, and melts in the mouth."

Mr Harrison said: "Our beef really is local, we have a special charter, making sure all our beef is born, raised and finished on assured Yorkshire farms. This meat never moves out of the county, until we begin to sell it elsewhere. The people of Yorkshire really are lucky to have this great kind of food right on their doorstep."

Evening Press readers have the chance to try the meat before the rest of the country can get their hands on it, specially prepared by the top chefs at Dean Court. A number of tickets are available for the Dean Court event at £35 per guest. Seats can be reserved by contacting Dean Court on 01904 625082, faxing on 01904 620305 or emailing sales@deancourt-york.co.uk.

Updated: 09:39 Friday, May 02, 2003